A policewoman with a difference

Vidya Vitthal Kaldate, 31, is one of the 78 candidates (constables/head constables), who cleared the 2011 Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exam held in August for the post of police sub inspector.

Vidya Vitthal Kaldate, 31, is one of the 78 candidates (constables/head constables), who cleared the 2011 Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exam held in August for the post of police sub inspector.

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What is unique, however, is that Vidya is the fact only woman amongst the successful candidates. According to Vidya, around 400 women appeared for the selection process.

An elated Vidya, currently the head constable writer with the computer wing at the Police Commissioners office at Crawford market said, "There is also a sense of immense satisfaction looking back at the past six months when I worked so hard for this."

The 31-year-old, who is married and stays with her husband and in-laws in Belapur, travels to her office at CST everyday. "It takes me almost two hours to reach office. I realised that if I had to prepare for the exam, I had to make use of every minute of my non-working hours including the travelling time," said Vidya.

"For some of our exams we are tested on several laws. So on my off days, I would read out these acts loudly and record them in my mobile phone. The Indian Penal Code itself has 511 sections so at times it would take up most of my off day," Vidya said.

When questioned about the reason why she joined the police, she smiles, "As a child I watched the television programme Udaan - the story of a woman making it to the police force with hard work. So it was a childhood dream."

"My family had a lot of confidence in me, which helped," she added.

Joint Commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy - under whom the computer cell falls said, "Vidya has made us proud. By sheer determination and hard work she has managed to achieve this."