Women have gradually broken the gender stereotype and have made their mark in almost every arena of life. But, statistics tell a different story altogether. If we take a look at the ratio of women in bureaucracy and police forces, just 6.11 percent of the total police force comprises of women while only 17 percent of IAS officers are women. Despite this poor sex ratio, there are women who have established benchmarks in remarkable bravery and exemplary service to the nation. Few such women and an account of their grit and determination are provided below.
Smita Sabharwal
Smita Sabharwal became the additional secretary at a CM’s office at the age of 23. An officer of 2001 batch from the Telangana cadre, she is popularly known as ‘the people’s officer’. Her work prominently includes the ‘Fund Your City’ campaign in Warangal in which she appealed to the residents to build the infrastructure of Naxal-affected areas. She closely worked for the improvement of education and health department in Karimnagar by monitoring work of the professionals on Skype. Eventually, she was able to increase the number of doctors and equipment in those hospitals.
Sudha Pillai
Sudha Pillai, an officer from 1972 batch Kerala cadre is known to be an asset for Manmohan Singh’s ministry. Although, it is believed in bureaucracy circle that she was denied the post of cabinet secretary because she was a woman and just had the understanding of social sectors. Her biggest rival was her own husband, GK Pillai who too lost the position of cabinet secretary when the incumbent Mr. Chandrasekhar was given the extension.
Sanjukta Parashar
Sanjukta Parashar, the name itself fills the hearts of Bodo militants with terror. In just 15 months of her service, she took down 6 militants, arrested more than 64 militants. An IPS officer of 2006 batch, Parashar was appointed as the Assistant Commandant of Makum area in 2008. Eventually, she was handed over the responsibility of curbing the clashes between Bodo and illegal Bangladeshi militants.
Durga Shakti Nagpal
Durga Shakti Nagpal, an officer from 2009 was the first woman in Uttar Pradesh to wrestle with the might of illegal sand mining mafia. The 28-year old sub-divisional magistrate of Greater Noida; registered 66 FIRs, arrested 104 individuals and seized 81 vehicles on account of illegal mining during August 2013. She arranged flying squads of policemen that conducted arbitrary and constant raids between 11 pm and 4 am in the morning. Through all this, Durga supervised each raid and arrest.
