A CRPF Officer’s Heart Beats for Birds

Last Updated on August 25, 2024

How does a CRPF officer blend duty with a passion for birdwatching? Discover Mahendra M. Hegde’s unique journey, capturing the world of birds while serving the nation, as explored by Gamana News.

He’s a CRPF officer, but he has other interests that fuel his passion. He loves photography taking pictures of birds. He listens to bird songs and figures out what they mean. This helps him take great photos from different views. He’s learned to tell how birds feel so he knows when to wait for the right moment and which trees they might visit. This piece looks at how an officer cares for birds mixing his job with his love of nature.

Early Life in Western Ghats

Mahendra M. Hegde embodies dedication and passion. He comes from Goli, a quiet village in Sirsi taluk, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka INDIA. The Western Ghats’ lush greenery sparked his interest in nature’s secrets early on. His family farms, with their house in the middle of thick forest. His parents, Mahabaleshwar Hegde and Srimati Mahabaleshwar Hegde, grow arecanut, pepper, and bananas on their land. Mahendra went to school in the village until 10th grade. During this time, he started his journey as a bird enthusiast.

The Ornithologist’s Visit

In high school, Mahendra’s life changed when Dr. P. D. Sudarshan, an ornithologist came to his school. The previous day, Mahendra found four bird eggs near the playground. He wanted to learn about them so he asked Dr. Sudarshan, who told him they were Red-wattled Lapwing eggs and pushed Mahendra to watch birds around him. This sparked Mahendra’s love for birdwatching that lasted his whole life. Mahendra remembers, “From that day, my interest in birds took off.”

Forest Adventures

Mahendra spent his vacations exploring jungles with his younger sister, Mamata Vinayak Bhat. They searched for birds and their nests. They didn’t know about birdwatching ethics so they checked nests every day to see if baby birds had hatched. They didn’t have proper tools like binoculars, but they had plenty of time to roam the forests near their home.

Joining the CRPF

In 2005, Mahendra passed the UPSC Exam to get selected as an Assistant Commandant for Central Police Forces. He joined the CRPF as a trainee officer in December 2006. He has worked in different parts of India for the last 18 years. These places include Manipur, Odisha, and Maharashtra. Right now, he’s based in Andhra Pradesh. His current role is Second in Command, which is the same as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army.

Life in the CRPF

The CRPF, a nationwide force, serves as the central government’s main agency to keep internal security. It fights terrorists in Kashmir, Naxals in central India, and rebels in the Northeast. The force also has a key role during elections and in giving VIP security, along with having three National Disaster Response Force units. Moving often across the country is a normal part of life in the CRPF.

Rediscovering Birdwatching

In 2017, Mahendra’s love for birdwatching came back when he got a job at the Dog Breeding and Training School (DBTS) in Bengaluru right next to Bannerghatta National Park. The green surroundings and active birding community inspired him to buy a DSLR camera, a telephoto lens, binoculars, and other gear. “With all this equipment, I began birding as a newbie,” Mahendra says. His work trips across India gave him chances to see different kinds of birds, which made every journey thrilling.

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Hobbies for Stress Relief

Mahendra thinks hobbies play a key role in stress relief. “Good hobbies help keep stress at bay and keep us refreshed and involved,” he states. Birdwatching and photography have brought him closer to nature and boosted his work skills. These activities have sharpened his observation awareness of his surroundings, and quick reactions.

“I believe every problem opens up new chances. In 2017, the CRPF sent me to the Dog Breeding and Training School (DBTS) in Bengaluru. I’ve always loved dogs and enjoyed training them. The school sat next to Bannerghatta National Park surrounded by lots of green. I often saw many types of birds there. Also, Bengaluru has a huge community of bird watchers. This sparked my old love for birds so I bought a DSLR camera, telephoto lens, binoculars, and other gear. With all this stuff, I started watching birds as a beginner. Many experienced bird watchers and photographers helped me learn the ropes. On my days off and Sundays, I’d go to different places to watch birds. Because of my job in the Force, I traveled all over the country always with my camera bag. Each place and season brings different birds, and you can find birds wherever you go. So, I never get bored when I travel anywhere anytime for work.“

Inspiring His Family

Mahendra’s love for birdwatching has an influence on his daughters Mita and Meera, to walk in his footsteps. His wife, Dr. Kumuda Hegde, a Sanskrit scholar and manuscript expert also shares his excitement. “Kids don’t do what we ‘say.’ They do what we ‘do.’ They follow our footsteps,” Mahendra points out.

Diverse Interests

Besides birdwatching and photography, Mahendra loves to train dogs, decoy, listen to classical music, and read non-fiction. With a background in journalism (BA and MA in Mass Communication and Journalism), he has written pieces about dogs for several journals and magazines.

Parades and Recognition

Mahendra, who stands 6’6″ tall often takes part in various force parades. In 2010, he headed the CRPF Contingent on Kartvyapath during the Republic Day Parade. Their contingent won the trophy to recognize the Best Marching Contingent.

A Lifelong Quest

Mahendra aims to spot all 1,200 bird species in India. So far, he has seen 415 species across the country. He views every challenge as a chance to grow living by his motto: “Every problem is an opportunity.”

Mahendra M. Hegde’s path from a tiny village in the Western Ghats to becoming a devoted CRPF officer and keen birdwatcher shows his strong commitment and affection for nature. His tale motivates others to discover happiness and meaning in their pastimes regardless of where they end up in life. You can get in touch with Mahendra Hegde via email: mahendrasixsix@gmail.com

Pictures Credit: Mahendra M. Hegde