AN ACHIEVER : RUVEDA SALAM
In 2015, Dr Ruveda has not only fulfilled her father’s dream but also became an inspiration for girls in state by becoming first woman IPS officer from Jammu and Kashmir. When Ruveda was growing up, her father often used to say that he wanted his daughter to be IPS officer. That’s when she first thought of becoming one. It inspired her and she decided to aim for it.
“As I have cleared the UPSC (Union Public Services Commission) exam, I will have to go for training depending on the cadre. I think I will be posted as a sub-collector” Ruveda recollected. She was selected in the Indian Police Service cadre. she further proceeded for training to Hyderabad. “The training was very strenuous, physically it was very hard. I joined the IPS cadre in Tamil Nadu and was posted as an Assistant Commissioner of Police in Chennai,” Ruveda said in an interview.
Before Ruveda cleared the UPSC, she got into medical college, but even while studying medicine she used to read a lot. Ruveda found time to clear the Kashmir State Administrative Service exam. Instead of doing a post-graduation in medicine, Ruveda started preparing for the UPSC. The motivated girl from the valley cleared the exam.
As a young ACP, Ruveda has given motivational speeches to the youth, particularly girls. She encourages them to appear for the IPS exams in Jammu and Kashmir. Ruveda’s role is challenging. It carries a lot of responsibility. “I am in a state where people respect the police. I like it in Tamil Nadu as well. When girls see me in uniform they look at me with admiration. I had conducted a workshop for girls in Hyderabad. The girls who attended said they wanted to become an IPS officer but were apprehensive about whether their parents will support them,” Ruveda shared.
According to Ruveda, development will lead to peace in Jammu and Kashmir. “Peace and development go together. We should look to the future. Living outside has helped me understand the situation better,” Ruveda believes. With sheer devotion and hard work, the girl from the valley has proved her worth and became an inspiration for many others especially for the girls wherein she has shown that girls are much and more capable and talented.
