Karva Chauth is the day when Hindu women across north and central India wake up before the crack of dawn, dress up in the best traditional outfits, and fast all day long until they get to sight the elusive moon of this day. This routine stays pretty much the same for the women officers of the Delhi Police’s PCR vans, who get up early, fulfil all that’s required, and slip into their uniforms to take to Delhi’s streets to patrol and safeguard its citizens.
“It’s a tough day for us, too. We prepare a day in advance, wake up early in the morning, and do all the rituals, just the same. My husband supports me by helping with all the preparations, like cooking food. Once on duty, we are ready at the command of seniors, to work in the sun, rain, or in whatever conditions there are. We have been trained to handle whatever comes our way,” says Shakuntala Kumar, head constable, PCR vans, who has been with the Delhi Police for 17 years now.
Officers on patrol, usually don’t get the luxury of spending time to shop in advance. “Karva Chauth is usually a working day for us. We know how it is going to be, so we stay prepared. If we are allowed to leave early, it’s well and good. Otherwise, we manage accordingly,” says Manju, another PCR van constable, who has been with the Delhi Police for about 7 years.
Fortunately, this year, Karva Chauth is on a Sunday, and women officers of various departments have an off. Bhanwari, a constable with Delhi Police for the last three years, says, “Due to my long working hours, I usually forget the date. So, my mother-in-law makes sure to phone and remind me a day in advance about the festival. My husband prepares the sargi (early morning meal eaten before the fast begins), and helps me manage other things, so that I can report on time for my duty. The day is, of course, tiring, and it’s difficult to work in the heat without water. And there have been days when I was on night duty, and I completed my fast while on duty, because I couldn’t go back home. But that’s part of our job, and we are ready for it.”
{{/usCountry}}Fortunately, this year, Karva Chauth is on a Sunday, and women officers of various departments have an off. Bhanwari, a constable with Delhi Police for the last three years, says, “Due to my long working hours, I usually forget the date. So, my mother-in-law makes sure to phone and remind me a day in advance about the festival. My husband prepares the sargi (early morning meal eaten before the fast begins), and helps me manage other things, so that I can report on time for my duty. The day is, of course, tiring, and it’s difficult to work in the heat without water. And there have been days when I was on night duty, and I completed my fast while on duty, because I couldn’t go back home. But that’s part of our job, and we are ready for it.”
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