https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

In Himachal Pradesh, this IPS Officer is teaching Women the `Natural’ Art of Self-Defence

With a strong resolve and a kind heart, one can bring out so many positive changes in the society. By her humane acts and decisions, Soumya Sambasivan has been doing exactly this in the hilly state of Himachal.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In these times of rising crimes against women, an IPS officer has taken a different route to tackle such cases. This entails arming the women with, no not guns and revolvers, but with pepper sprays!

Ms. Sambasivan was the first female SP of Shimla (Courtesy : Ms Soumya)

Ms Soumya Sambasivan, the IPS officer and the first female Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh is the one who has launched this campaign. The idea struck her when she was posted earlier in Sirmaur, and she went about implementing it in earnest.

Today, Ms Sambasivan has taught the simple but effective art of making pepper sprays to scores of women in Himachal Pradesh.

‘It is important for women to feel confident’

In Sirmaur, Ms. Sambasivan brought together a group of women and girls and taught them the way to make a pepper spray. This only required four ingredients: chilli powder, pepper powder, refined oil and acetone. As Ms Sambasivan told Indian Masterminds, “I have always believed that developing a defense mechanism in women can be the strongest tool for them in fighting off crimes like eve-teasing. Getting them physically trained is important, but its time consuming. Pepper sprays are already available in market and are used by women the world over. However, in rural areas women are not very much aware about this excellent weapon for self-defence. I think this should be in the must have list for all women, and they should carry it whenever they step out of their homes. Having a spray in their bags will boost their confident. And this is so effective; it normally blinds a person for half an hour or so. There is no long lasting or permanent damage to the victim”

Ms. Soumya addressing a session

A 2010-batch IPS officer, Ms Sambasivan is currently posted as the Commandant, 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion, at Pandoh. She is known for her quick action against the criminals and solving complex cases. But while she is strict and serious on field, she is quite a caring and jovial person otherwise. 

Giving Respect to Construction Workers

Ms. Sambasivan is of the view that moving in the fast paced world, we often forget to appreciate those whose work makes living easier for us. A case in point is construction workers, who hardly get any recognition once they are through with their work. While getting a building constructed for the soldiers in Mandi, Ms Sambasivan did something which not many might have attempted before. She has decorated the entire building with the photographs of construction workers who worked on that land!

Ms. Sambasivan is currently posted as the Commandant, 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion, at Pandoh.

Work Stress? No Stress!

As to what motivated her to join civil servants and how she handled day-to-day pressure, Ms Sambasivan replied, “ to become an IPS officer was my childhood dream. I enjoy my work, it is one those rarest jobs that gives you inner satisfaction.  And like like said, if your passion becomes your profession then you enjoy every bit of it. Stress simply flies out of the window .’’


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Set to Promote Two IPS Officers to Director General of Police
Complaint
Complaint Filed Against Senior IPS Officer for Sending Inappropriate Messages
Jammu and Kashmir Government
Three IAS Officers Assigned New Postings in J&K; Check Names Here
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
Senior IAS Officer Rajendra Ratnoo Opts for Voluntary Retirement
SEBI
SEBI Appoints 3 New Executive Directors: Amit Pradhan, Avneesh Pandey & Sanjay Purao Take Charge
Lateral_entry_resized
No Reservation in Lateral Govt Job Entries, Centre Tells Rajya Sabha Citing Single-Post Rule
DelhiPolice
Top-Level Shake-Up in Delhi Police: 3 IPS Officers Reassigned Amid Security Concerns; Chahal Named DG, Civil Defence
mp
MP’s ₹3 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Boom: 255 km Greenfield Highway, ₹5,500 Cr Tiger Corridor Among Key Road Projects
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Puducherry
Scientific, Strategic, and Sustainable: How Dr Arulrajan is Transforming Puducherry’s Ecology
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Set to Promote Two IPS Officers to Director General of Police
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT