Kamini was always special; be it her sparkling eyes or her steely resolve. Now how many could overcome such odds and go on to become a Deputy Commissioner of Police in one of Chennai suburbs?
She hails from an agricultural family in Erode and right from her childhood, dreamt of being a government servant. One understands and can account for poor infrastructure for education and sports in a tiny village and yet she preserved. Till her XII, the mofusil school run by the state government in her village sufficed.
The school saw a stream of teachers come and go for it was more a punishment posting than a centre of preference. The girls would have to sit on the floor and study and the drop out rates was very high – either they got married before their 16th birthday or made to do menial chores at home. When Kamini left school with a second division, she was lone girl to reach that distinction in the school.
Graduation proved more difficult as she had to be based out to Erode and having to stay in the hostel. Her parents were paranoid about her safety and it was only the principal’s personal intervention and declaration of security that she was allowed to enroll. Three years of graduation and two more in post-graduation and she had won her honours in Psychology.
There were always some petty issues along the way – there was strike in the college and a bus overturned and college canteens closing shutters. Kamini hitchhiked to her village after the state buses were pulled off.
While she was appearing for UPSE exams, she saw an opportunity in the state police academy, who were on a recruitment drive and women candidates were being specially solicited. She appeared for an interview and her masters in Psychology proving to be especially handy.
She was one of the first batch of inspectors to head an all women police station. This was particularly at a time with eve teasing was growing to be a social menace. Later she handled the anti-dowry bureau and narcotics wing before her appointment as DCP after 6 years of service.
Despite all the acclaim, she has her feet planted firmly on ground. She says,” My mom was the major source of inspiration. She has supported my decisions and encouraged me”. Now married, she finds her husband and in-laws equally proud and supportive of her.
Kamini in a press interview said that her priority is to help the poor and downtrodden. “Hailing from a similar background, I understand their problems very well and I’ll do my best to assist them in very possible manner”.
Her current challenge is that she has an 18 month old son and gets to spend too little time with him.
That a village lass has reached such a station in life is lesson for all of us. In one word the lesson is GRIT. (486 words)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment