It’s not for nothing that IPS Dr. Sanjukta Parashar is often called the Iron Lady of Assam. Her adventures in the world of police services have instilled her name in the hearts of everybody who has ever known her. She is the first Assamese lady IPS officer posted in Assam.
Dr. Parashar might have been born and brought up in Assam, but she actually grew up in Delhi, where she came to pursue Under Graduate course from Delhi University. Growing up, she had an immense interest in sports and often took part in various sporting events in her school days.
In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Dr. Parashar opens up about her journey, inspiration, and challenges that she had to face while servicing for the nation.
In The Civil Services:
Dr. Parashar is a 2006 batch Indian Police Service Officer who scored an All India Rank of 85. With such high rank, she could have opted for IAS but her heart lay in the Khaki. She knew that this would make her more accessible to the public and she could personally help them with their difficulties.
She joined the service on 29 th August 2006, and since then she has been unstoppable. She was the first woman to be selected in the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. When Indian Masterminds asked her that what prompted her decision of getting into civil services, she told us, “I was working in a think-tank. My mother (Meena Devi, who formerly worked with Assam Health Services) always encouraged me to join the Civil Services. In the think-tank, I saw policy-makers up close and realized that is something I can do!”
Talking about her preparation, she believes that studying with a calm mind, and removing the pangs of anxiety and panic gets you a long way while preparing for the exams. “UPSC exams are tough. It is a year-long process and I tried to keep my head cool in the long run. There is nothing much to say about my journey. I studied and prepared for the exam and ultimately cleared it,” she says.
Mom’s The Inspiration:
Dr. Sanjukta is a great combination of brawns and brains. She is a scholar and her educational qualifications are commendable. After school, she completed her Graduation from Delhi University in Political Science (Honors), followed by a Masters in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She went on to do her M.Phil. from JNU only. She did not stop there. She went on to complete her Ph.D. from JNU, as well. That explains the prefix to her name.
Talking about her inspiration, she says “I have always been inspired by the hard work my mom has put in as a doctor in government service and as a parent to me and my brother.”
The Most Difficult case:
The toughest case that Ms. Sanjukta had to encounter to date was the case of the murder of a businessman who was entrapped and kidnapped by a gang that included gun runners. The case involved a lot of hit-men, call girls, and the menace of issuing SIM cards in fake names. The Police team had to really dig deep into the matter, putting in all their energy and intelligence.
“There were abduction, ransom demand, and the subsequent murder of the businessman in the district I was in and we managed to crack it only because of teamwork,” Dr. Parashar told Indian Masterminds.
Personal Life:
Many a time, Ms. Sanjukta has to go to relief camps to comfort the distressed people who have lost their family or house in militant attacks. She gets to spend quality time with her family, only once in two months.
Despite all the challenges that life throws at her, she stands firm like a tree, not allowing the wind to sweep her away. “Life is always a challenge and how we make decisions to meet those, are the true test of our character”, she says firmly.
Message to the Youth:
Addressing the youth of the country she wants them to try their best at all times and never lose hope. “Never give up. Nothing can be worse than not trying!”
Dr. Sanjukta’s exhibition of extreme devotion and courage in fighting crimes and terrorism is exemplary and respect-worthy!
