Viral picture of Kolkata Police constable protecting dogs inspires artists

The picture of a constable from East Traffic Guard, navigating traffic during heavy rains near Park Circus Seven Point crossing, has gone viral. Reason? In the picture, the constable, later identified as Tarun Kumar Mandal, by the Kolkata Police, can be seen providing shelter under his umbrella to two stray dogs.
After the photograph was uploaded on social media on Saturday, netizens found the gesture of compassion heartwarming and took next to no time to make it viral.Kolkata Police, too, took to their office Twitter handle to post the picture, crowning it, “Moment of the day”.

The photograph has now inspired artists to create artworks based on it. Australia-based Mahafuj Ali, a professional landscape architect and a cartoonist, has already created artwork based on the viral picture. Speaking to CT, he shared, “I had been seeing the photo on my social media timelines for the past two days. I knew I wanted to create something based on it the moment I saw it! Even though I am from Nadia district, I went to the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, for my engineering degree and share a deep connection with Kolkata. The City of Joy is all about nostalgia, emotions and inclusiveness and the photo captures everything all at once. I was more attracted to it because I am a dog lover myself.”

Meanwhile, a senior officer from the East Traffic Guard said that he is aware of the photograph and is happy that one of his colleague’s photograph has gone viral. “There are several officers in Kolkata Police and every individual has a different liking and hobby. Tarun loves animals and this photo is proof of it,” he said.