Sheer grit and passion

Garima, SHO of the women’s police station, Rohtak

She has bagged the award for the best track record among the state’s police stations. From Bhiwani, she admits effective policing means sacrificing family time but she is game for it. “We have worked overtime to impart self-defence training to girl students, counselled 1,000 couples and sent 28 women to shelter homes. We are on duty round the clock. This is what we have chosen for ourselves,” she says.

Rekha, Assistant Sub-Inspector

Every morning when Rekha goes out for duty, she scouts around for eve-teasers. “I go and mix up with the crowd. Some days, as a college student and, at other times, as a regular girl, alone in a crowded place. The eve-teasers have a way of spotting such vulnerable girls and land themselves in police net. In Kaithal, I nabbed several eve-teasers. I giving away my number to girl students at self-defence classes in schools and colleges. This helps us to act promptly. It makes a difference,” she says, adding that the award is a recognition to do better in future.

Meenu Khan, Head Constable

The youngest of the four siblings, Meenu Khan, grew up fatherless in a humble house in Yamunanagar. “He died when I had barely stepped into my teenage years. He would have been proud to see me receive the honour from the Chief Minister, especially since I was always driven to don the khaki. It is an honour to be among the first recipients of the award,” she says. Meenu has been honoured for being the only woman photographer. She is posted in the Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban.

Sunita Devi, Head Constable

Posted as head munshi in the Panchkula women’s police station, Sunita Devi proudly explains that her award comes for a child marriage she managed to stall. “While the award gives me a reason to celebrate, pulling that off gave me a lot of personal satisfaction. The police are there to serve. This is the motto we must remember at all times,” she says.

by Geetanjali Gayatri