That sounds like a fascinating combination! An IPS officer with a keen interest in literature who has authored several books would likely bring a unique perspective to both their professional and creative endeavors. Hariram Meena, a retired IPS officer from the 1989 batch of the Rajasthan cadre, has authored an impressive 15 books to date. His literary repertoire encompasses novels inspired by real-life experiences, insightful analyses of societal issues through the lens of law enforcement, and poetry.
This unique intersection of his professional background and creative pursuits provides a fresh perspective that enriches both realms. It’s truly inspiring to witness individuals like Mr. Meena channeling their diverse interests into impactful and creative endeavors.
Hariram Meena’s writings are deeply rooted in his experiences and true incidents from his distinguished police career. One of his recently released novels, ‘Black Hole Mein Stree’ (Women in Black Hole), delves into the theme of ‘Woman-deception’ based on a real incident. During his tenure in Dholpur, Rajasthan in 1984, Mr Meena rescued a girl from a gang of prostitutes, an event that inspired the storyline of this novel.
Mr. Meena’s contributions to Hindi literature are significant, reflecting both his literary prowess and his impactful police career. Indian Masterminds recently engaged with him to explore his insightful writing and illustrious journey in law enforcement.
WOMEN IN BLACK HOLE: LATEST BOOK
In April 1981, during his Rajasthan Police Service training in Bharatpur, Hariram Ram Meena read a pivotal Indian Express article by Ashwini Sareen exposing women trafficking in the Agra-Dholpur-Gwalior triangle. Titled “Dholpur is an open market for women trafficking,” it sparked national and international outcry and was later adapted into a film starring Dipti Naval and Shabana Azmi.
As a young probationer, Meena became involved in the ensuing Crime Branch investigation into the matter. This experience left a deep impact on him, planting the seeds for a future commitment to addressing and highlighting issues of women’s trafficking.
In 1984, while serving as Deputy SP in Dholpur, Meena rescued a teenage girl from the clutches of exploitation in Bedia Basti, a village bordering the area. The girl had been ensnared and groomed for forced prostitution, a plight that further fueled Meena’s determination to raise awareness and advocate for justice.
Reflecting on these formative experiences, Meena said, “Both these incidents had deeply disturbed and unsettled me. This book is a testament to those experiences.”
The book’s narrative delves deeply into these profound and troubling events, unfolding through layers of flashbacks. It sensitively portrays the enduring plight of women across centuries, drawing poignant parallels from the celestial Apsaras of Indra’s court to the ancient Devdasis and the women performing Mujra. Meticulously, it examines the grim realities of women being bought, sold, and exploited in the shadows of society, shedding light on their struggles with unwavering honesty.
LITERARY JOURNEY
His literary journey began with his first book, a collection of poems titled “Chand Mera Hai,” published in the 1990s. This work, comprising 67 poems, earned him the prestigious Meera Award from the Rajasthan Sahitya Academy in 2003.
Meena’s literary acclaim further soared with his novel “Dhuni Tape Teer” in 2008, which established him as a celebrated storyteller. This novel, chronicling the heroic tale of Govind Guru Banjare and the tribal resistance against the British, has been integrated into the curriculum of over 70 universities across India, including Delhi University. It has garnered significant scholarly attention, with approximately 200 researchers pursuing their M.Phil. studies on the novel, and many more ongoing.
Recognizing the novel’s profound impact, Hariram Meena was honored with the prestigious ‘Bihari Samman’ by the Birla Foundation. His recent work, “Meena Tribes ki Shaurya Gathaen,” delves into the rich history of the Meena Tribes, highlighting their heroic sagas.
Mr MEENA’S JOURNEY
He joined the Rajasthan police as deputy SP in 1979 through Rajasthan state police services. Born on 1 May 1952 in the village of Bamanwas in Sawaimadhopur district, he obtained a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Rajasthan University. Meena has served in numerous districts across the state in various capacities, eventually retiring as Inspector General of Police. Throughout his career, he maintained a keen interest in literature alongside his police duties. He retired from police services as IG in 2012.
