The President of India, Droupadi Murmu stressed on the larger participation of women in governance. She was addressing the probationers of the 74th Batch of the Indian Police Service at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad today (December 27, 2022).
She said ,” Larger participation of women results in better overall development.I have been told that in Scandinavian countries, women constitute nearly thirty percent of the police force. It is a fact worth highlighting that the Scandinavian countries, having the largest average women representation in the police, are also among the top-ranking countries in terms of Human Development Indices. We should quickly move ahead from the phase of empowering women to the stage of women led development. It is already happening in many fields. It must happen in a much bigger way “.
“I must emphasise that women in leadership positions, like the lady police officers sitting here, should always help other women, especially the vulnerable. In fact, if every woman stands up for the weaker ones among them, the society will experience a great transformation”, said the President.
Smt Murmu, citing the example of talented women folk, said , ” I am extremely delighted to know that for the last three successive batches of the I.P.S., lady officer trainees have been recognised as the best probationers.
The President said that in line with our stated national priorities, Nari Shakti has to play a major role in achieving the targets we have set for ourselves during the ‘Amrit Kaal’. A truly ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, pre-supposes ‘Atmanirbhar Nari’. She said that larger participation of women results in better overall development.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that when the country is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the nation acknowledges the rich contribution of our police force in sustaining and strengthening the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy. The Indian Police has also made its huge contribution in preserving the unity of the country. Thousands of brave police personnel have laid down their lives for the cause of India’s internal security. She paid her respects to the IPS officers who sacrificed their lives at the altar of duty.
President Droupadi Murmu said that police is the most visible organ of the government. When the police force commands trust of the people, it enhances the image of the government. The police would command respect and trust only when the entire force under them, to the last constable, displays alertness, sensitivity and honesty. She said that right since the beginning of their career, IPS probationers would be in leadership positions. The quality of their leadership would determine the effectiveness and morale of the force led by them. She advised them to keep in mind and demonstrate through action the five fundamental attributes of Integrity, Impartiality, Courage, Competence and Sensitivity.
The President said that police forces have to be partners in the progress of the country and transformation of the society. Police officers are going to play the roles of change-agents in India’s achieving greater prosperity while ensuring sustainable development, especially inclusion. Inclusion means – inclusion of that last person, the most deprived person, the most vulnerable person. That person should be at the centre of their concerns. She advised them to be sensitive to the plight of the voiceless. She said that Police officers have to ensure that an illiterate poor man living in a remote corner of the country gets sympathetic support at the local police post. The criminals should tremble with fear at the very thought of the police. But, at the same time, the common citizen should look at the police as a friend and saviour.
She criticized the way and intention of British rule for introducing the police system in india. She said , ” The burden of colonial past and feudal habits still affects many aspects of behaviour and governance in our country. Let us always remember the simple fact that the colonial powers developed policing-systems based on consent and participation of citizens in their own countries. But they promoted policing based on fear among citizens in colonies like India.”
