TARUN LATA | ASI, RAF BATTALION 107, BHOPALIt has been 25 years since Tarun Lata joined the CRPF, but every day is as exciting as her first day, she says.“Watching women in uniform in movies and serials always fascinated me. When I was in high school, I knew that I would love to wear a uniform and serve my country,” she says.A native of Budhni, she has served across the length and breadth of India, and is now stationed at Bhopal in the 107 Battalion of Rapid Action Force (RAF).“I love travelling across India, specially because it is believed that women are afraid to travel alone. People used to worry how I would go to Bhopal. And now, I have been to Srinagar, Imphal, Manipur, and everywhere... all by myself,” she says.Tarun Lata is the first person in her family to join the armed forces.“I do not know what I would I have done, if I was not in the forces. I have learnt so much from the people I have met. I come from a small village. In CRPF, you meet people from around the country. You learn about them, their struggles, their cultures. It opens your eyes to different aspects of society. You gain compassion.”The one thing she learnt was not to be afraid. “Whatever challenges are thrown at me. I make it a point, not to be get tensed. Not to be scared.”Talking about whether being a woman has helped her or deterred her, she says. “You face the usual problems women face, time and again. But, we are used to it. Everyone goes through it.”“I encourage young women to join the CRPF. It is a great experience. You become self-reliant, bold, and financially independent. You get an identity. The forces have also evolved. The new girls that have joined are not less than any men. They are getting the same gruelling training, and even serve in Maoist-hit areas. They are getting stronger and better.”GEETA DHAMI | ASI, CRPF BATTALION 33, BhopalFor Geeta Dhami, a simple chore as a teenager turned out to be a life-changing moment.“One day, when I was 18, my mother asked me to get some grains grounded. After getting it done, the shopkeeper wrapped the flour in a piece of newspaper, where I saw an advertisement for selections to CRPF. I knew from that moment itself what I wanted to do,” Dhami says.Today she is posted as CRPF ASI at the paramilitary force’s group centre in Bhopal, her journey has been far from smooth.Growing up in a family involved in the armed forces and the Indian freedom movement, the 45-year-old always dreamt of donning the uniform and doing something for the country.“My father was in the Navy and my grandfather was a freedom fighter. And as far as my grandfather was concerned, I remember him always talking about how he wants one of his grandchildren to fight for the country. I suppose that was the first inspiration I had,” says Dhami.She says her father initially showed some reluctance in letting her join the armed forces.“He believed that I needed to focus on my education and get a job later. But my mother completely supported my decision,” she says.Reminiscing about the time she had to convince her parents to join the CRPF selection trials, Dhami says, “I remember it was in 1992 after my class 12 exams. The trials were held in Rampur and I didn’t even know that there was a CRPF group centre there. After seeing the ad in the paper, I immediately approached my parents. While my mother agreed to let me go there, my father was opposed to it. I then approached a neighbour we knew well who eventually convinced my father.”But convincing her family was just one thing. After her marriage in 1996 to Ram Singh Dhami, an Armyman himself, the challenges in her life only grew.Dr DEEPA SHUKLA | Commandant, CMO, BhopalCommissioned in the year 2000, CRPF commandant Dr Deepa Shukla has served in some of the toughest areas of the country.Growing up, she says, there were few women who wanted to join the armed forces. She wanted to serve the society and decided to become a doctor. When she told her family about her wish to join the CRPF, they were surprised but supportive, she says.“There isn’t much difference in the lifestyle of non-combatant officers and field officers. A soldier is a soldier, irrespective of their gender and army doctors are expected to report to anywhere they are called at. Duties of male and female medical officers are quite identical, but sometimes I feel women enjoy gender concessions in terms of postings.”Talking about the challenges she faced, she says: “Since I am often posted to remote areas, my children stay with my parents. I don’t get enough time to spend with my family. But I also get to see parts of the country I would not have seen otherwise.”“For me, my profession has enabled me to serve the nation and this has been my strength to keep on battling obstacles that life throws at me,” says Dr Shukla.(With inputs from ——-)

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