INDIA NEWS “I can hear the roar of women’s silence”, Thomas Sankara once said. Women in every part and corner of the world are now making their mark and setting the bar high. In a patriarchal world they are fighting their
Nov 1-15, 2020 - Vol 1, Issue 9 brings to you inspirational stories of some of the extraordinary women among us displaying grit, kindness and leadership of the highest variant. NAARI is a column envisaged by INDIA NEWS Consulting News Editor Ananya
way to rightful and muchdeserved place on the high table challenging stereotypes. They are changing the world for the better and accomplishing herculean undertakings, where others would not dare to tread. INDIA NEWS
NAARI Dhyani paying tribute to women leaders among us who are changing our world without much salutation that they deserve. It is our humble initiative to say ‘thank you’ to them.
Shashi Thakur: A mother cop with courage of steel Ernest Hemingway once rightly said, “Courage is grace under pressure”. Standing up for the ones that cannot defend themselves is bravery. Advocating truth and justice fearlessly is in not only her middle name but also her life’s driving principle. She wears her uniform with pride and holds her position to right the wrong. A crusader for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and a nightmare for the lawbreakers, our NAARI for today is a specimen for valour and kindness. The very bold and audacious Shashi Thakur is the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) of Jammu and Kashmir. Khaki is my identity It has nearly been three decades since Dy SP Shashi Thakur joined the police academy. It was the encouragement of her in-laws that boosted her zeal to stand tall against the stereotypes of the society. “Females were a rare sight in the police department back then”, recalls Shashi. Born into a distinguished family that was way ahead of its time and married into a wonderfully supportive family, she was blessed with prosperity. Joining the police training college was a privilege in a generation where women in Khaki were a rarity. While women were still struggling to make an identity outside of the home, Shashi was already becoming a ray of hope for women everywhere and being praised for her commendable work in the police department. As a young achiever she was making heads turn in the division calling out the wrongs with boldness. I am here to stay Dy SP Thakur was always a headstrong woman. She knew it was never going to be easy to make history by being one of the few females admitted into the police force, but she
was prepared. Shashi remarks, “In the police force you get to see it all, from petty domestic quarrels to murders, and the police has to be prepared for everything”. Her first impediment in professional pursuits was acceptance, as her abilities were always questioned even after all the training and hurdles she overcame. Her colleagues saw her as a liability rather than an asset for the police department and giving soft postings in the police control room rather than in the field. It was Shashi Thakur’s firm dedication and discipline towards her service that silenced her critics who questioned her abilities. Over the years she has answered all the questions that were raised on her ability as a deserving police officer.
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Introduction
Empathy makes better officers Shashi Thakur has always believed that her duty as a police officer is incomplete without kindness and empathy. She remarks, “I will never restrain myself from going the extra mile if I have the means to do so”. She adds, “The joy of inspiring people and the pride of serving them justice is the best feeling and it gives me satisfaction in what I do.” A few years ago, she encountered a case where a man wanted to abandon his two daughters after the death of his wife to marry another woman. Shashi was counselling them regularly not knowing how she was inadvertently impacting upon their lives. However, in an unfortunate accident, one of the sisters passed away and the other was fighting for her life in the hospital. Unaware of what had happened she received a distress call from the hospital and upon arrival found out that the girl had listed her as next of kin. With no other relatives and an irresponsible father waiting to take advantage of the situation, Shashi took it upon herself and
Deputy Superintendent of Police of Jammu and Kashmir Shashi Thakur became the girl’s guardian. She took the responsibility of her medical treatment and empowered her with her constant support. The girl is now a police inspector and is happily married. She exclaims, “It does not require much to have empathy and there is no greater honour than helping someone in need. This is my true medal”. Truth always triumphs Crusader of anti-encroachment in Jammu and Kashmir, Shashi Thakur is among the few fearless officers that prevented the illegal encroachment upon state properties. For decades she has fought in courts, not once wavering in her faith in the judicial system. Despite several threats and defamations against her, she remains steadfast in her mission. She is cleansing the rot in the police department which should have been long done. Encroachments are
typically listed under the names of criminals (benami) to prevent anyone from questioning them. “Since when did the crime become above the law?”, she questioned. Katra railway station, Sainik Colony, Reka forest are some of the encroachments that were removed by her accruing crores in revenue to the state. It was her mettle that made it possible for the High Court to move to Katra in Jammu after the encroached land was vacated. “As extraordinary as this sounds there were a lot of dangers associated with it”, remarks Shashi Thakur. She has remained true to her oath and would not let her uniform’s pride be blemished in anyway. After a lot of effort and time, the Anti-Corruption Bureau gave the verdict to demolish these illegal properties. Shashi suggests, “The government is now in motion, but if we could refer these cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s top investigation agency,
try them as test cases by involving external teams, it will surely fasttrack this process and prevent meddling.” Calm, cool and courageous Shashi Thakur has made great contributions to provincial services, helping found Jammu’s first women cell. She strongly stands for women’s empowerment and believes that empowerment is not just about granting rights. In true essence, it is educating women about their duties, rights and responsibilities collectively that the Constitution of India grants them. She defines NAARI as a cool, calm and courageous catalyst and harbinger of social change. “People may be unfair, but the police department is and will forever be fair and I will always be proud of it,” exclaims DySP Shashi Thakur before requesting leave to attend to her other mission.
SC extends grant of PC for women officers in Navy till Dec 31 New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday extended, till December 31, the deadline for implementation of its verdict on grant of permanent commission (PC) to women SSC officers in the Indian Navy. A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee passed the order on a civil contempt petition filed by five women officers, through advocate Pooja Dhar, as the officers concerned with the implementation of the March 17 verdict had not taken steps to comply with the directions issued
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by the court. The bench also asked the Centre to provide Rs 25 lakh compensation in four weeks to the five Naval women officers, who were not considered for the permanent commissions besides the pensionary benefits, which has already been given to them. The bench extended the time for grant of permanent commissions SSC women officers in the Navy till December 31. In its March 17 verdict, the top court had said men and women are equal and women should be
treated equally, as it paved the way for permanent commissions for women officers in Navy and directed the Centre to implement the directions within three months. In June, the Centre filed an application in the top court for extension of the deadline by six months against the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic. “After the judgement was delivered by this court, the petitioners had awaited communication from the respondents regarding the
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compliance of the judgement. However, no such communication was forthcoming. In such circumstances, the petitioners wrote to the respondent, reminding them of their obligation to comply with the directions issued by this court,” said the women officers in their plea, citing various representation sent to officers concerned. The plea claimed that their representations have been ignored and the government has not moved any application for extension of time before the top court.
The Supreme Court of India In the March verdict, the top court had said: “As a one-time measure, all SSC women officers who were before the High Court (Delhi) and the AFT who are not granted PCs shall be deemed to have completed substantive qualifying service for the grant of pension and shall be entitled to all consequential benefits.”
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