Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh): Chhattisgarh Police has created the first female police band in the state in Naxal-affected Bastar district. The band has been created to provide equal opportunities to both men and women officers and employees in police and security forces. Female police band is being appreciated everywhere. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel could not resist praising them for the excellent performance, which became the centre of attention for all. CM has also honoured the members of the band.
The band consists of 16 members
The band was formed on the initiative of IG Bastar and SP. There are 16 members in this police band. It has 10 female constables. Retired ASI Ishwar Das Wankhede, who had rendered 15 years in police service, trained these female members of the police band for 4 months. During the training, women policemen were trained to play 12 songs of patriotism, which they could play on parades and other government events. Apart from this, they have been taught to play the tunes that are played by other police bands as well.
First performance in Bastar Dussehra
The band did its first performance at the Bastar Dussehra. Among all the rituals that took place on Bastar Dussehra, it was the band's great performance that won everyone's heart. Since then, they have been appreciated for their performances. The women included in this team were trained to play instruments such as drum pads, base drums. These women play all the instruments proficiently.
Honoured by the CM
In Bastar, since the festival of Dussehra, women police bands have been performing at almost all the government and police department events including that on 26 January. On 26 January, the National Anthem was performed with parade, salute and a grand performance by the all-women band in the historic Lal Bagh grounds of Bastar. After this, the Chief Minister praised this women's band and also honoured them.
They overcame their fear
Female guards said that they felt nervous initially. They say it seemed that they would not be able to play these instruments. But retired ASI and male members of the band gave them a thorough training. Since then, they have been able to perform better and have been going to all government programmes. Women say that they feel extremely happy about themselves now. The head of the state himself has praised them. The women constables of the band team said that if they get a chance, they also wish to perform before the Prime Minister of the country. They said that the women of Bastar do not lag behind in any field. They wish that all the instruments including the bass drum should be played by the women exclusively. It should be converted into a complete female band so that they can set an example in the entire country as well as in Chhattisgarh.
Band includes a surrendered female Naxalite
The most special thing about this band is that this woman police team includes a woman who was previously involved in Naxal activities in the Dalam region. She was the member of their theatrical Chetna Mandali and used to visit the villages and sing songs and played musical instruments.
In the year 2017, she surrendered to the Bastar Police. After which the Bastar police got her married with great pomp and show.
Now she too has been inducted in the band. She feels proud to be part of this team. The surrendered Naxalite has also appealed to other women Naxalites who are still involved in the Naxal organization to join the mainstream society with the support of the government and become the part of the band like her. They will bring praise not only for Bastar and Chhattisgarh but also for the country.
Male members feel proud
Here the male members of this band group say that they feel proud that they perform along with female policemen. During training, these women police teams members learned to play all the instruments very fast. Lifting and playing these instruments is not everyone’s cup of tea. Despite this, these women are giving a spectacular performs with the training of only a few months. Male members agree that this bad should be handed over to women only, this would set an example for others as well.
Hundred per cent women in the coming times: IG
IG Bastar Sundararaj P said that women are given due respect and opportunity in progressive society and organization. Women are also being given better opportunities in the police and security forces deployed in Bastar. He said that by joining the Bastar Battalion, the women commandos are proving successful in winning the hearts of the villagers of the interior areas. Now this female band is being praised all over the state. IG said that in the coming days it will be converted into a complete female band. Only women will be employed in it. Currently, there are 10 women constables in a team of 16 people, including a surrendered female Naxalite.
