“What.. He is younger than you! Why are you all saluting him?” Ambika asked her husband who is a police constable. “Oh.. I am the constable. He is our superior! That’s why we are all saluting him.” Ambika’s husband replied. “So… if I am a senior police officer too… will you salute me?” She asked her husband with interest. Hearing that, he replied, “Yes, of course. but you couldn’t pass Tenth Class?” Moreover, we have two children,” said the husband. If the scene is cut, Ambika is now an IPS officer. She has the name ‘Mumbai Singham’ and many awards and rewards.
A 14-year-old child Bride
Ambika was born in a lower middle class family in Dindigul, one of the city in Tamil Nadu. This little girl who studies diligently.. SHe has not completed even her 10th standard. She was married to a police constable at the age of 14. She did’t tell her husband that she wanted to continue her studies. After going to her aunt’s house, her main duty became to serve her husband and other family members. Four years have passed in a blink of an eye. She turned 18 and had two children in her arms. Husband, children, home and family became her world. She does’t even know that there is or will be another world.
The real story begins now..
A day came to awaken Ambika who was drowned in the ocean of family responsibilities. That morning her husband went to the parade without having breakfast. Even after 10 o’clock he did’t come home for breakfast. Ambika, who went to her husband’s place in an auto with her two children, came home after giving a breakfast. After that, while she was waiting for her husband to come home, he came. On arrival.. “I saw when the parade was going on. Why are you all saluting someone younger than you? Who is he?” she asked. “Ha.. yes Ambika! He is our superior that’s why we are saluting him.” said the husband. “But will I also be such a big officer…will you salute me like that?” she asked. Hahahaha… the husband laughed for a while and replied that he would definitely do it. But he said that’s not so easy to pass the IPS exam. at the end husband understood that Ambika didn’t say that to joking.. But you haven’t even passed 10th.. You are the mother of two children. It is impossible to prepare for civils after passing inter and degree.. It is a very costly task. It will not be ours.” Finally he understands his wife’s intention and agrees to study her civils.
Her husband’s support was invaluable
Ambika convinced her family members to read the books. Husband sends his wife Ambika to a private coaching. She secured 477 marks out of 500 marks as a private student who paid her class 10 fees. The husband was very happy with this. After completing Inter, she studied BA degree through distance. While studying BA in Tamil medium, she used to read general knowledge and other books. Collectorate and SP offices were located in the area where the couple lived. Ambika noticed that richers and common people coming to those offices with many problems. Until then, Ambika thought that IPS was only for the status, and they thought that recognition would come only if they solve public problems. For that she is ready to prepare for civils. Dindigul, where the couple lives, does not have a coaching center for civil services exams. Understanding his wife’s wish, the husband sends Ambika to Chennai for civil coaching. He arranged accommodation for her in Chennai and promised to take care of the children.
Ambika failed three times.. but fourth time..
Ambika, who is preparing for civils in Chennai, wrote the civils exams three times. But she failed thrice. With this, Ambika was pressured by her husband to come home from Chennai and the children were asking. He explained that there will be financial difficulties. But in the end she convinces her husband that she will try this once, If i don’t get the rank this time, it will listen to you. This time she worked hard and made books, notes and news magazines her world. Finally cleared prelims, mains and interview and got selected for IPS. she Got 112th rank.
Her story is an inspiration to many
Ambika, a 2008 batch IPS , trained at the Hyderabad Police Academy. Later appointed as DCP of Mumbai North Division. Within a short period of time, she got a special recognition. First, she solved the case of missing children in Ganganapur area and received praise from all. Ambika, who once knew only Tamil, came close to the people of Mumbai with Marata. all the people started calling her ‘Mumbai Shivangi’, Lady Singham. Ambika received the ‘Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year-2019’ award from the hands of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in recognition of her dedication and commitment to service. After that, she was transferred to Delhi to work in the central government department on deputation. Ambika, who reached her goal after facing many hardships, became a role model and inspiration for everyone.
In our life too..
We are always eager to blame our failure on others. If you can’t find someone to blame, then we turn to our circumstances or our economic backdrop or upbringing. That’s where Ambika is special. Instead of blaming her parents or her fate for her adolescent marriage, she took destiny in her hands and strived hard to make it work. Her journey would have been difficult as she was also waging a war against the patriarchal system within the family. Not many would have taken kindly to the mother of two children opting to enter the police force. That’s where her husband’s support was so crucial to her. That, combined with her willpower helped her reach her goal. Truly this is an inspirational story of grit and determination.