It is rare to find an IPS officer with a melodious voice, spreading awareness about social causes through her singing. The first image that comes to mind when we think of an IPS officer is someone in starched khaki, strictly going about their duties in maintaining law and order by following and implementing a definite set of rules. But Sambalpur’s SP is not only that. She also adds more luster to the set image of a police officer. A versatile personality with multiple talents, IPS Sarah Sharma has created an identity for herself outside khaki with her active participation in social causes. She is again in spotlight now for coming out with an Odia version of a viral Sinhala song.
VIRAL SONG REMADE INTO ANTI-CORRUPTION SONG
Most of us are aware of the viral song,‘Manike Mage Hithe’, sung by Sri Lankans, Yohani and Satheeshan. This song has now been remade into an anti-corruption song by IPS officer Sarah Sharma. During the Vigilance Awareness Week observed every year at the end of October, Ms. Sharma used her creativity to write new lyrics of the song in Odia and sang it herself. The song calls out to avoid corruption and bribery and contained all necessary information including 1064, the anti-corruption toll-free number. Here is her song:
SunomoOdishabasi, Vrastacharinajau Khasi
Ms. Sharma is currently posted as Superintendent of Police in Western Odisha’s Sambalpur district. During a media interaction she, says, “The gist of the song is to make people aware so that whenever someone witnesses any incident of corruption, he or she can immediately report to us on 1064 toll-free number. The more complaints we’ll get, the more actively we can work to control and reduce corruption to make our country corruption free. We also distributed pamphlets among people to provide them with more information about our campaign.” According to her, the response to the song has been good as they are now getting more complaints than before.
HER FITNESS SECRETS
Ms. Sarah Sharma is a 2010-batch IPS officer from Odisha cadre and is a fitness enthusiast who never misses a chance to participate in any fitness event. “My secret to being active is regular exercise, yoga, aerobics and music,” she revealed. She is a multi-talented versatile officer who is well-versed not only in the laws of the land, but also in music and fitness activities. Besides rendering her voice to songs, she can also strum the guitar and play the harmonium. An officer with a difference, who makes a difference wherever she is posted, is the best way to sum her up!
