| KOLKATA [CALCUTTA] (India) — Last week was the 53rd
Indian Republic Day, celebrating the day India officially became a
free nation, January 26, 1950. Although none of the original
"founding four-footers" are still alive today, their canine
descendents put on a spectacular display of patriotism at the ceremonial
parade on Red Road. |
Kolkata Police Dogs salute on
command
at the 2002 Republic Day Parade,
Jan. 26, 2002.
(Photo: Bikas Das / AP News)
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Amid tensions following recent terrorist
bombings and the ongoing clashes with Pakistani militant groups, the Kolkata
Police Dog Squads were an integral part of a highly-organized
operation of unprecedented security which also involved 65,000 police
officers, bomb-disposal specialists and anti-aircraft guns. But
despite the gravity of their role, the dogs put on a spectacular and
heartwarming show as they donned their dress-reds and bowed in unison
before a nation of spectators.
Republic Day celebrates the
ratification of the Indian Constitution, which—with 395 Articles and
eight Schedules—is the largest written constitution in the world.
In comparison, a dog's spoken vocabulary consists of about 3 words (see
The Dog Net's Dog-Human/Human-Dog
Dictionary).
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The Kolkata Police have been employing
dogs for a number of specialized tasks such as explosives and narcotics
detection, tracking criminals and regular anti-sabotage duties. Dogs are
trained at the Police Training School, where, like all officers, they are
taught to "uphold the rule of the law; protect the weak and the
underprivileged; work without fear or favour; and serve people with a
smile."
(In this last case, I'm sure a wag will
suffice.)
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