Delhiites, more specifically the scribes, are familiar with the name of IPS officer Suman Nalwa. She is the official face of Delhi Police, taking and answering tough questions with ease. As official spokesperson, she has been answering questions related to Delhi Police on a regular basis, and doing a very good job of it.
Today, for a change, she takes questions on herself – about her foray into public relations, and what she loves doing when she is not building relations with the public and maintaining the good image of police.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Suman Nalwa, IPS, takes us through her journey to the post of Public Relations Officer, Delhi Police.
FROM SB TO PR
The 1996-batch IPS officer of AGMUT cadre came into PR at a much later stage. And there’s an interesting story behind it! She was in Special Branch as DCP for four years, where her job entailed more of intelligence gathering.
Looking back to those days, she said, “It was a very chaotic period considering we had a lot of agitations going on at that time. We had the farmers sitting on the borders, the anti-CAA protesters, and the Covid thing still going on.”
During that period, she started observing and taking intelligence from social media, and she noticed some alarming trends! Some different kind of ideologies, some anti-India propaganda were being pushed, and all the faces of governance, first being the men in uniform, were being targetted in a special kind of war.
Talking about this warfare, she said, “There was a concerted effort by certain agencies which I could observe and project it to my bosses. I started pushing the need to counter this propaganda which is being pushed on us. I think it was in pursuant to this that my bosses realised that I am quite interested in the subject and I was given social media handling as an additional responsibility.”
In 4-5 months, she started a lot of social media campaigns, not only showcasing what the Delhi Police were doing, but also countering fake news and propaganda aggressively, which worked! “That success led to me becoming Additional PRO of Delhi Police,” Ms. Nalwa said.
NOT AN EASY JOB AT ALL
However, once on the job, she realised that it is not at all easy if one takes it seriously. Delhi Police is a large organisation no doubt, but it is also about policing the capital of India.
Explaining the situation at hand, she said, “Anything that happens anywhere in the country has its reflection in Delhi. Again there are different political, religious, and ideological, ballgames going on, internationally and nationally. And, one small mishap can become an avalanche. So, we have to be very pro active in not only recognising things that are going to become an avalanche, but also stop these at the roots and ensure that no false propaganda is being pushed.”
HANDPICKED A TEAM
So, the first thing she did after taking charge as PRO Delhi Police in March 2022 was to handpick a team to help her in this work because, according to her, it is not a very straightforward and easy kind of work.
Praising her team, she said, “The whole team worked wonderfully. In the beginning, we were working 24×7 to get a grip on it. Everyone was doing everything because it was very new to us. Now it has streamlined and we are much more at ease because everyone knows their job and responsibilities.”
CHALLENGING BUT ENJOYABLE
It has been a very challenging posting, she admits. But, at the same time, she has derived immense enjoyment out of it, too.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am enjoying it still. In addition to all the countering of fake news and propaganda, we have been very creative also, launching awareness campaigns that have been recognised across India as some of the best. So that again boosts our morale,” she added.
WHEN NOT DOING PR
Other than handling social media for Delhi Police and being their spokesperson, Ms. Nalwa loves to spend time in reading. “Personally I love to read! I am always interested in acquiring more knowledge and trying to implement what I read.”
She also likes to practise yoga and spread positivity wherever she goes, particularly in her office. “In today’s age, when we are so much in distress, so much into anger, and so much into rage, my aim is – how to get over it.”
To beat the stress on a personal level, she consciously tries to meditate and do her yoga practise on time. But, it’s not just limited to herself. Elaborating on it, she said, “I try to influence people around me to let go of anger, let go of hurt, and be more positive in their outlook. To give their best on the job and also give their best to their families. That is my goal.”
MORE ABOUT THE OFFICER
Ms. Nalwa has a degree in Electronics Engineering, and also a degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex, UK. She has co-authored three books on domestic violence and cruelty towards women, the most recent one being, Room 103: Nanakpura Thana. Her books mainly depict tales of abandoned women facing rejection and dejection. She is also a recipient of the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service.
Her latest initiative, as PRO Delhi Police, is a video podcast hosted by her, named ‘Rise with Khaki’, which has been garnering a lot of views and applauses. She will talk about her pet project, Rise with Khaki, in detail in the second part of this series. So, watch out for this space for more on Delhi Police PRO, Suman Nalwa, IPS!
