Is this Punjab policeman the law enforcer with the longest reach?
Seventeen years ago, an old Sikh man requested Jagdeep Singh for a photograph. Those were days before the selfie craze would sweep India. Private and quiet, Jagdeep preferred to be left alone. But for someone towering over most people at 7 ft 6 inches that was a luxury that he could rarely experience.
“The Sikh gentleman told me something I will never forget,” said Jagdeep, whoc still regrets turning down that request for a photo. “He said, ‘Tuhadi height tuhadi nahi, parmatma da tohfa hai. Agar tussi kissay nu khush kar sakdae ho tae usno na karo (Your height is not yours, but a gift from God. If you can make someone happy, never say no to that person)’.” Since then, Jagdeep, perhaps India’s tallest policeman, has never refused a photo request.
But his celebrity aside — being so tall and a serving cop — things aren’t always easy or convenient for Jagdeep. The first thing he looks for while entering a police station or office is a sturdy chair. The 35-year-old head constable with Punjab Armed Police weighs 190 kg. “I place the chair near a wall for support and then sit. Otherwise it will break and embarrass everyone,” he said.
Another tall cop, this one in Barnala, understands Jagdeep’s situation only too well. Punjab Police inspector Rajpal Singh is 7ft tall and weighs 160 kg. An awkward situation for him arose earlier this month when Barnala SSP Harjit Singh and DSP Jasbir Singh had to stretch on their toes to put the promotional badge on his shoulders.
Jagdeep is usually posted on security duty at sensitive installations like bridges and does not work from a particular police station. His job means he is constantly on the move, but he can’t use police vehicles for travel: they are too small for him. Instead, he uses his own modified Mahindra Bolero. “It becomes expensive since I have to spend for fuel from my own pocket but there is no other option,” said Jagdeep, who recently returned from the US after participating in the ‘America’s Got Talent’ show in Los Angeles.
Everyday life presents its own set of difficulties. Jagdeep needs to get his clothes and uniform stitched bespoke, and struggles to find footwear. He uses imported US size 20 shoes. And food. He needs quite a bit of it to sustain his enormous frame. “When I was young, I would eat about two dozen eggs with salad, oats, fruits and nearly eight litres of milk every day. But now my diet is smaller,” he said.
Married with a 10-year-old daughter, Jagdeep said he had faced a hard time finding a bride. Finally he met Sukhbir Kaur, who is 5 feet and 11 inches tall.
The families, too, are happy. “I like my husband’s celebrity status,” said Sukhbir Kaur. “The only problem is when we go out everyone wants to strike a pose with him and me. This leaves out our daughter Jashandeep.”
(With inputs from Neel Kamal in Barnala)
HEIGHT OF PATROLLING: Jagdeep towers over colleagues with his 7ft 6in frame
Seventeen years ago, an old Sikh man requested Jagdeep Singh for a photograph. Those were days before the selfie craze would sweep India. Private and quiet, Jagdeep preferred to be left alone. But for someone towering over most people at 7 ft 6 inches that was a luxury that he could rarely experience.
“The Sikh gentleman told me something I will never forget,” said Jagdeep, whoc still regrets turning down that request for a photo. “He said, ‘Tuhadi height tuhadi nahi, parmatma da tohfa hai. Agar tussi kissay nu khush kar sakdae ho tae usno na karo (Your height is not yours, but a gift from God. If you can make someone happy, never say no to that person)’.” Since then, Jagdeep, perhaps India’s tallest policeman, has never refused a photo request.
But his celebrity aside — being so tall and a serving cop — things aren’t always easy or convenient for Jagdeep. The first thing he looks for while entering a police station or office is a sturdy chair. The 35-year-old head constable with Punjab Armed Police weighs 190 kg. “I place the chair near a wall for support and then sit. Otherwise it will break and embarrass everyone,” he said.
Another tall cop, this one in Barnala, understands Jagdeep’s situation only too well. Punjab Police inspector Rajpal Singh is 7ft tall and weighs 160 kg. An awkward situation for him arose earlier this month when Barnala SSP Harjit Singh and DSP Jasbir Singh had to stretch on their toes to put the promotional badge on his shoulders.
Jagdeep is usually posted on security duty at sensitive installations like bridges and does not work from a particular police station. His job means he is constantly on the move, but he can’t use police vehicles for travel: they are too small for him. Instead, he uses his own modified Mahindra Bolero. “It becomes expensive since I have to spend for fuel from my own pocket but there is no other option,” said Jagdeep, who recently returned from the US after participating in the ‘America’s Got Talent’ show in Los Angeles.
Everyday life presents its own set of difficulties. Jagdeep needs to get his clothes and uniform stitched bespoke, and struggles to find footwear. He uses imported US size 20 shoes. And food. He needs quite a bit of it to sustain his enormous frame. “When I was young, I would eat about two dozen eggs with salad, oats, fruits and nearly eight litres of milk every day. But now my diet is smaller,” he said.
Married with a 10-year-old daughter, Jagdeep said he had faced a hard time finding a bride. Finally he met Sukhbir Kaur, who is 5 feet and 11 inches tall.
The families, too, are happy. “I like my husband’s celebrity status,” said Sukhbir Kaur. “The only problem is when we go out everyone wants to strike a pose with him and me. This leaves out our daughter Jashandeep.”
(With inputs from Neel Kamal in Barnala)
HEIGHT OF PATROLLING: Jagdeep towers over colleagues with his 7ft 6in frame
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