At the age of 73, she keeps the traffic organized

For more than 50 years, a resident of Coonoor e. Molly Elliot has assisted the Nilgiri Police in the regulation of traffic and other minor duties. Now 73, Ms. Elliott has been made an honorary traffic warden.

Ms. Elliot grew up in Coonoor and assisted the police in the 1970s. “When I first started helping the police, it was accompanied by minor police work, when there were very few women in the force. Therefore, I used to help keep the roads safe and help people going to Coonoor.

Ms. Elliott does not have her own home or job, but she reports for duty on time every day.

“She does not complain about the work assigned to her, nor does she expect anything in return. She prefers to work as a traffic warden.

Rajesh Kumar, who hails from Ottupattarai, has known Ms. Elliott since she was a child. “I’ve seen her around town for as long as I can remember, and she’s become one of the most recognizable people with her signature camouflage hat,” he said.

As she does not have a full-time job, Ms. Elliot relies on the kindness of strangers for food. “I don’t need a lot of food, but I like biscuits a lot,” she said. He is famous all over the city and people give him free food. “Nevertheless, I mostly turn them down and only receive food from those whom I consider my very close friends.”

Two badges

She gestures proudly at her two badges – an e. Molly Elliot, read social worker, and another read ‘Honorary Traffic Warden’. Working for the police gives Ms. Elliott a feeling of fulfillment and meaning.

“I really enjoy helping the police in their duties, especially during peak tourist season. I always participate in awareness campaigns that police and municipalities conduct.

The most prized photographs of Ms. Elliott are those with top IPS officers who have visited Eucalyptus.