IAS & IPS to Mayor, Thrissur Administration is Headed by All-Women Team!

One of the largest cities in Kerala, Thrissur holds a prominent position when it comes to history and culture. As of heritage value, the ancient Vadakkumnathan Temple and the iconic Thrissur Pooram make the city renowned around the globe.

However, the city of Lord Siva, as Thrissur’s etymology elucidates, now holds the rare distinction of having an entire administration ‘manned’ by women!

Lead by District Collector T V Anupama, this contingent of civic administrators and elected representatives in Thrissur include women holding all top posts including that of deputy district collector, mayor, deputy mayor, district panchayat president and the director of Kerala Police Academy.

Here’s everything you need to know about Thrissur’s women power:

1. T V Anupama, IAS

Known for her steely resolve and incorruptible attitude, Thrissur’s serving District Collector T V Anupama is undoubtedly a woman of substance. She became a household name in Kerala after getting into loggerheads with the political lobby in the sensational river encroachment case during her previous collectorate tenure in Alappuzha.

More like a homecoming tenure, Thrissur holds dear memories for the 2009-batch IAS officer, who had pursued her senior secondary education from the city’s St Claire’s Convent Higher Secondary School.

2. Dr Renu Raj, IAS

The medical graduate who had surprised even herself by securing the second rank in the UPSC 2014 exam and emerged topper in the training program for the IAS probationary officers, Dr Renu Raj is deputy to Collector T V Anupama.

A Kottayam native, she is a multitalented individual who has a flair for elocution and is a trained classical dancer known for her scintillating performances during the district youth festivals.

3. Dr B Sandhya, IPS

A PhD scholar from BITS Pilani, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), B Sandhya is the Director of Kerala Police Academy, with headquarters located at Ramavarmapuram in Thrissur.

A fearless woman with an iron-willed resolve, she has been part of many sensational investigation committees and has had an illustrious career graph in the force. Dr Sandhya is also a renowned literary figure, who has published many novels and children books, besides authoring several research papers in police science.

4. Ajitha Jayarajan

Leading the city corporation is Mayor Ajitha Jayarajan, who has been an active social worker for the past 33 years. Interestingly, this was a post that came into Ajitha’s way quite unexpectedly, as was rooting to be a municipal councillor.

A mother and a grandmother who originally hails from Moothakunnam in Ernakulam, Ajitha is the second woman mayor of Thrissur who had made the city her home after getting married. She is also a recognised face amidst volunteers at the Pain and Palliative care in the city.

Alongside these women in power, District Panchayat President Mary Thomas and Deputy Mayor Beena Murali hold top posts in Thrissur.

We salute these women and look up to them as inspiring role models who have broken the glass ceiling by valiantly taking over roles once deemed to be male-only territories and ordaining these with an efficiency parallel to none.

(Edited by Shruti Singhal)

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