“The quintessential 21st-century woman, an ace at any responsibility she is trusted with! I got to know that she is very hard-working. Despite the fact that she has a newborn, she did not take childcare leave. She opted to go to duty.”
This weekend, a picture of Jhansi-based Constable Archana Jayant Singh, who was on duty while her six-month-old daughter slept on her table at the police station, went viral on social media.
The photo, shared by senior police officers, caught the attention of netizens, who showered praise upon Archana. However, the story didn’t just end with appreciation and admiration—it prompted people to urge the Uttar Pradesh Police to make her life easier.
Archana, who is originally from Agra, is posted in Jhansi, which is located at a distance of over 200 kms from her home. Her elder daughter, Kanak is a class 4 student and lives with her grandparents in Kanpur. Speaking to the Indian Express, Uttar Pradesh District General of Police (DGP) Om Prakash Singh, said, “Her family is in Agra, and her in-laws are in Kanpur. Her husband works for a private company in Gurgaon. She cannot be posted to Kanpur (officially her home district after marriage) as we do not post constables in their home district.”
The family, therefore, has to live away from each other and rarely come together.
“I haven’t met my parents and husband in a long time and now my Diwali will be with them. I will also bring my elder daughter Kanak (10) to Agra. I did face some problems in Jhansi but received great support from my colleagues,” Archana told the publication.
Since Singh’s photo with her daughter went viral on Twitter, admirers have been requesting the authorities to transfer her closer to home. Taking note of this, the DGP called Archana. “When I saw the image and read the story, I spoke to the Inspector General (IG) Jhansi, who has rewarded the constable with Rs 1,000 in cash. I got to know that she is very hard-working. Despite the fact that she has a newborn, she did not take childcare leave. She opted to go to duty. When I spoke to her, she said the only problem she is facing is that she does not have family support,” he told IE.
On Sunday, 28 October, he tweeted saying, “The quintessential 21st-century woman, an ace at any responsibility she is trusted with!
The quintessential 21st century woman, an ace at any responsibility she is trusted with! Had a conversation with Archana this morning & ordered her transfer to Agra, closer home! The lil one brightening Jhansi Pstn, has inspired us to explore crèche options at every Police line pic.twitter.com/hx8b54Bcb5
— DGP UP (@dgpup) October 28, 2018
Had a conversation with Archana this morning & ordered her transfer to Agra, closer home! The (little) one brightening Jhansi (police station), has inspired us to explore crèche options at every Police line.”
“This transfer will help me getting my family united as I will call my elder daughter to Agra and my husband will also be able to join us,” an elated Archana told the Times of India.
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Furthermore, the Uttar Pradesh Police are also planning to install a creche in police stations so other parents like Archana can follow their duties while also ensuring that their children are safe and happy.
“I am really very happy and want to thank DGP sir… for showing so much affection and concern. His initiative for opening up of a creche in every police station will definitely be quite helpful for many women cops like me working in various police stations across the state,” Archana said.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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