Elderly Ms Lalita Subramanyam, a resident of Wadala in Mumbai, found herself in utter disbelief when a group of police personnel landed at her doorstep on Monday. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise as they had all come to wish her on her 83rd birthday.

The octogenarian has been living in her flat all alone for the last 25 years and thus her name is on the local police’s list of ‘senior citizens requiring care and protection’.

Two of her children are living in the US while another son lives in Bengaluru.

As her children could not visit her on her 83rd birthday, Matunga police, who often help her purchase medicines and do bank transactions, decided to give her a surprise. They reached her house with a birthday cake and a bouquet of flowers.

Ms Subramanyam cut the cake in the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Dudhe, who was the Zonal DCP of this area last year, and senior police inspector B. M. Kakad, along with a police constable who regularly calls on her.

Lalita ji,fondly called d 'mother' of Matunga PStn, turned 83. Retweet to wish her & V will convey ur message to her pic.twitter.com/ql09gZTIfi — Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 2, 2017

Senior Inspector Kakad told The Logical Indian, “She is like my mother. We were very happy to celebrate her birthday”.

The Mumbai police have a dedicated helpline — 1090 — for senior citizens. Senior citizens living alone call the helpline if they need any help, or, sometimes, just because they feel lonely.

At a time when people’s faith in the police is not at its best, such incidents make us feel more comfortable to approach the police with the knowledge that they will help us. We need more such inspirational stories and police personnel to re-establish the trust relationship between them and the general public.

The Logical Indian thanks and applauds the police department for taking care of the senior citizens and setting a positive example for others to follow.