As IPS officer trainees of the 67th batch regular recruit (RR) set to march past the national flag and reviewed by national security advisor Ajit Doval at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy here on Saturday, K Apoorva Rao, a young woman officer trainee from Begum Bazar here will be formally inducted into the Telangana state IPS cadre making her the first woman officer recruit after the formation of the state.
The engineering graduate has a work experience of three years as ‘systems engineer’ with Tata Consultancy Services in Chennai. The former software professional says that it was during her stint with the company that she realised the need for serving the society which made her prepare for UPSC examinations.
“The job satisfaction was minimal then and I realised I should do something more. A friend was preparing for civil services examinations and that motivated me too,” said the probationer. “A lot of people in distress go to the police for help and theirs is a noble task,” she added.
When asked how she felt being the first woman officer recruit to be inducted into the new state, she said: “It is a very happy moment and a reason to feel proud too.” She said her family’s support was the biggest force that guided her during the physically-demanding training.
Best Male All-round Probationer is a Doc
A MBBS doctor from Gujarat, Partharajsinh N. Gohil has been adjudged the winner of Prime Minister’s Baton and Home Ministry’s Revolver for the best all-round IPS probationer.
“My previous profession medical and policing are very similar in nature. As a doctor removes illness from one’s body, a police officer removes illness from society. The recognition will boost my confidence manifold and will bring out the best in me in the coming years,” said Gohil who has been allotted to the state of his domicile. It was during his stint as house surgeon in Surendranagar district of Gujarat that Gohil realised the purpose of his life.
“Once our health inspector from the village where I was doing internship delivered a lecture and spoke about how administrative services could make a difference in the country. That was very inspiring and changed my attitude towards life,” he recalled.
IIT Grad Best All-round Woman Probationer
Bhavana Gupta, an IIT-Bombay graduate from Punjab, and allotted to the West Bengal cadre, has been adjudged the 1973-Batch IPS Officers Trophy for the best all-round woman IPS probationer.
Gupta who specialised in ‘Metallurgy and Material Science’ in engineering cleared UPSC examinations in her first attempt. “It was in the final year of engineering that the thought of serving the nation first came to my mind. The opportunity to serve the nation is something unique,” she said.
A native to Bhatinda in Punjab, Gupta, who stood out in all training activities, is a basketball and table tennis player since childhood. “The outdoor training during probation is very demanding and tiring. I realised that until one tries one never knows,” she said.
Personalities like former chief election commissioner TN Seshan, former comptroller and auditor general Vinod Rai and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi who brought all-round reforms are her role models. “I had a very layman’s perception of policing. The job requires you to be on foot 24/7 and now we are mentally, physically and spiritually fit for the task on hand,” she said with confidence.
