International Women's Day 2024: 7 Women IPS Officers Of India Who Became Inspiration For Millions

International Women's Day is a special day celebrated every year on March 8th. It's a day to honor and recognise the achievements of women around the world. It's also a day to raise awareness about gender equality and women's rights. On this day, people come together to show their support for women's empowerment and to celebrate the progress that has been made towards gender equality. It's a day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of women in all walks of life. International Women's Day is an important reminder that we still have work to do to achieve true gender equality.

UN Women's announced the theme for IWD 2024 is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." It emphasizes empowering women to address global crises and create a healthier, safer, and more equitable world. International Women's Day's 2024 campaign theme, "Inspire Inclusion," promotes diversity and empowerment, urging for equal opportunities for women in all fields.

On International Women's Day 2024, we celebrate the achievements of women in various fields, including law enforcement. India has seen a rise in the number of women IPS officers, who are making significant contributions to the country's security and law enforcement. Here are seven women IPS officers who have made a mark in their respective fields.

1. Vimla Mehra

Vimla Mehra | Photo: BCCL

A 1978 batch IPS officer from the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, Vimla Mehra has held various roles within the Delhi Police. She also served as the Director General of Tihar Jail in 2012. During her tenure, she implemented numerous changes, including the introduction of vocational programs aimed at equipping inmates with employment-oriented skills. Notably, she initiated foreign language courses for female inmates and undertrials. As the head of the Crime Against Women Cell, she established a women's helpline (1091) and implemented defense training programs for women. Her appointment as the first female Special Commissioner of Police in Delhi Police history marked a significant milestone.

2. Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya

Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya | Photo: BCCL

Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, born in Shimla in 1947, was a trailblazer in the Indian Police Service (IPS). She was the second woman to become an IPS officer in India and the first woman to rise to the rank of Director General of Police. She was also the first IPS officer in Uttar Pradesh. Kanchan represented India at the Interpol meeting in Cancun, Mexico in 2004. She was the chairperson of the All Indian Women in Police and the Police of Uttarakhand. Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades, including the President's medals in 1997 and 1989, the Rajiv Gandhi Award in 2004, and other honors for her exemplary work and achievements.

Kanchan retired from service in 2007 and passed away in 2019 at the age of 72 after a long illness. She was known for her exceptional investigative skills, having solved high-profile cases such as the murder of seven-time national badminton champion Syed Modi in 1987 and the Reliance-Bombay Dyeing case in 1989. During her tenure as Assistant Commissioner of Police in Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh, she successfully tracked down 13 dacoits in a single year.

3. Sonia Narang

Sonia Narang | Photo: BCCL

Sonia Narang, a native of Chandigarh, is the daughter of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police and a 2002 batch IPS officer. She holds a Gold medal in Sociology from Punjab University. During her career, she has served in various major cities in Karnataka. Her dedication and integrity have led to criminals fleeing wherever she has been posted. Narang gained public attention in 2006 when she slapped a politician during a protest between the two political parties.

4. Soumya Sambasivan

Soumya Sambasivan | Photo: The Weekend Leader

Soumya Sambasivan, the first female IPS officer in Shimla, is renowned for her strict discipline and her successful resolution of six murder cases, including two blind murder mysteries, during her two-year tenure in the Sirmaur district. Her achievements have garnered significant attention not only from the Sirmaur Police but also from the Himachal Police. Soumya holds a degree in Biology and has completed an M.B.A. in Marketing and Finance. She has also worked in a multinational bank. In addition to her law enforcement duties, Soumya is dedicated to preventing incidents of molestation of school and college girls. She has developed a special spray made from chili, refined oil, and nail paint, which, when used, incapacitates assailants for up to half an hour, rendering them unable to open their eyes.

5. Dr. Ruveda Salam

Dr. Ruveda Salam | Photo: X

Dr. Ruveda Salam became the first IPS officer from the Kashmir valley, fulfilling her father's dream of her joining the IPS. She completed her MBBS from the Government Medical College in Srinagar. After clearing the UPSC exam twice, she joined the IPS cadre and underwent training in Hyderabad. She was later posted in Chennai as Assistant Police Commissioner. She enjoys interacting with locals and learning about their culture. In 2015, she appeared for the civil services examination again to qualify for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

6. Sangeeta Kalia

Sangeeta Kalia | Photo: X

The daughter of a retired carpenter in Fatehabad police became the IPS after passing the UPSC exam in the third attempt in 2009. Her first posting was in the same department as SP. IPS Sangeeta Kalia's father Dharampal was working in Fatehabad Police and retired from there in 2010. Sangeeta did her schooling from Bhiwani and took the UPSC exam for the first time in 2005.

In November 2016, an IPS Sangeeta Kalia posted in Fatehabad, Haryana refused to bow before the mood swings of cabinet minister Anil Vij. During a meeting over liquor smuggling, the minister accused the smuggling is happening because of police protection, the officer opposed the minister's argument and that¡¯s where the minister got irked.

7. Sanjukta Parashar

Sanjukta Parashar | Photo: X

Sanjukta Parashar, known as the Iron Lady of Assam, is a courageous officer who has taken down 16 militants. During her 15 months in Assam, she captured many terrorists alive and seized tons of arms and ammunition. In 2008, she became the Assistant Commandant of Makum. At the age of 23, she decided to appear for the UPSC examination and achieved her dream in 2006 through hard work. She was responsible for controlling ethnic violence between Bodo and illegal Bangladeshi militants in Udalguri. Sanjukta became one of the most feared police officers among Bodo militants when she led a team of CRPF soldiers armed with AK-47s in the terror-infested Sonitpur district. She graduated in Political Science from IP College, Delhi University, and pursued a master's degree in International Relations from JNU, as well as earning an M.Phil in US foreign policy.

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