Perinthalmanna: Four policemen from Kerala travelled around the country seeking its soul by communicating with the local people and celebrating its rich cultural heritage. The policemen covered 22 states in a 59-day long trip divided in three phases. The group has now returned to Malappuram after driving around the country in a car, exploring its unique culture.

Kalikavu special branch SI Alavi Kannankuzhi, district head quarters SI Perinthalmanna native OP Saleem, Malappuram traffic police ASI Gopi Anamangad, district police control room CPO P Abdulla and Clari Moochikkal are overwhelmed by the love that they had received from the people of different states.

The group visited the historically significant sites in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi in their first phase of travel that lasted 16 days. Meanwhile, the second phase of the trip was in January this year. In 20 days, the policemen covered Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Kashmir. Now, in the third and final phase, they travelled more than 8000 kilometres from Malappuram to Sikkim.

The trip named ‘The Great Indian Drive’ opened up a scintillating world of diverse culture, languages and traditions. They drove to states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka in the last phase of their journey.

The policemen made sure to talk to the locals at historically notable places like the Chilka Lake, the crafts village of Pippili, Kalinga where Emperor Ashoka gave up war to embrace Buddhism, Nathu La Pass, Tree of Bodhi, the ancient Nalanda University, Charminar and Mecca Masjid.

They say that they were warmly welcomed by the local residents and authorities at each place. The policemen had gone for the trip in three stages by availing special leave of absence. Meanwhile, the group were given a grand welcome by their colleagues for successfully completing the ‘Great Indian Drive’.