Striking a balance

Daughter of an illustrious IPS officer Dr D.T. Naik, Kalpana’s first option was always the Civil Services though her dad never consciously told her to take it up.

Having worked in the Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State Police, IG, Law & Order, Kalpana Nayak says, “I’m truly an All India Service officer.”

The profession is still very male-dominated, explains the young IPS officer. “It is a male-dominated field, as are many others. But doing our job professionally and having a fair, transparent and no-nonsense approach, builds our reputation and helps counter any prejudice.”

So, what sort of obstacles did she face? Says Kalpana, who is married to Dr Mahender Rathod IPS, Joint Commissioner of police, Security, Hyderabad, “The biggest obstacle is certain people’s jaundiced attitude, conjecture and prejudiced view.” She feels, more women at all levels will make police more approachable to women, as well as make police actually more sensitive to the sensibilities of women. “The increasing number of women is also influencing the department internally, building amenities for women personnel etc.,” she explains.

From handling election bandobust, to dealing with right-wing Hindu groups insisting on routing the Ganesh procession through Muslim prayer areas in communally sensitive towns, to ensuring that caste-based tensions do not flare up into full-fledged clashes, to dealing with major recruitment drives with women victims in Women Protection Cell, Cybercrime and newly emerging ways of Internet and online frauds, she has done it all. “The experiences are rich and varied,” she exclaims.

One can imagine how stressful her job can be. How does she unwind? Says the IIT-Madras alumni, “Touching base with some close friends, spending time with kids listening to their stories, reading fiction, listening to music, going sari shopping, — some ways that I unwind.”

Talking about the qualities required in an aspiring IPS candidate, she says, “Clarity in thought and expression, balanced views, and having a bigger perspective without losing sight of the finer details, and empathy.”

Talking about striking a balance between the personal and professional life, the mother of two elaborates, “With the spouse being in the same field helps as he understands the demands of the job. It’s always a give-and-take and is like walking a tightrope. Having parents to whom I can entrust the kids is a big, big help.”  

She, however, says there were many occasions when she had to make a choice between career and family owing to the busy schedule.

“I have missed family get togethers, broken promises to kids, cancelled celebrations and postponed vacations — small ones; nothing major.”  What next? “Let’s see —Half the service is ahead of me.”

• I worked in Punjab as SP, Mohali and SP, Ferozepur and SP, CM Security. Then I was Commandant of the 1st Women Battalion in Tamil Nadu.
• I was SP, Nagapattinam and DCP, Tirunelveli and DCP, Madurai. I was SP, CID, Women Protection Cell, Cyber Crime and Telangana districts.
• I was DIG, Coastal Security, then in DGP office as DIG, admin and IG, Law & Order

Early days:

• I was born in Kurnool and did my schooling in Tirupati, Vijayawada and Kakinada. Then my M. Tech from IIT Madras