Come to Valmiki Nagar in Thiruvanmiyur, a stone's throw from the sea, and ask for Meenakshi Vijayakumar. And every single resident, passer-by will give you the direction to her house with a sense of pride and elation. "Oh, that Fire Officer, Amma?" is the refrain.
Success comes easy to some; to some, it's elusive" - a fitting adage to Meenakshi Vijayakumar, the country' first woman Fire Officer, appointed by the Tamil Nadu Government on July 22. Perseverance personified this woman of substance, who applied for the Fire Service in 1998 and had to wait for four long years before getting the appointment order. She is now a Divisional Fire Officer. "I was shocked", remarked a delighted Meenakshi to whom the appointment came like a bolt from the blue. She knew of it only after the media flocked to her house.
A post graduate in English from Ethiraj College, she was always a go-getter. She completed her B.Ed from Annamalai University and moved to Delhi to join her husband employed there. Once in the capital, Meenakshi took up teaching in Father Agnel college. "I love teaching, I get to be with so many young people that cheers me up". But isn't there a strong contrast between teaching and the fire forces? "Definitely, but I always wanted to be a government servant and serve people", says the progeny of government employees.
Inspiration came from within the family, with Meenakshi's father serving the government for a long time, while her grand father was an IAS officer. But amongst other prestigious choices like the IAS, IPS, IFS and so on, why choose fire services, we ask. "There definitely are many choices. I was contemplating doing the IAS, but finally boiled down to the fire services, because I wanted to do something different, and the fire services gave me that opportunity. Moreover, fire services goes a step ahead than other services. Here, you not only serve, but also save lives. So, why not?", justifies the confident lady.
During those four years after she completed her exams, she would visit temples, pray for the opening. "I would sit down at the temple, and meditate. I found peace there. Besides putting in hard work, one should realise that a force is at work." The wait has been worthwhile.
Her role models are Indira Gandhi, police officer Kiran Bedi and Jayalalithaa ("I am very thankful to the Chief Minister for giving me this wonderful opportunity. This will be a golden era for Tamil Nadu under her stewardship"). But then she is hardly aware that within a day, she has become a role model too for a large number of young women.
Is she aware that she is the first lady in the country to have ever ventured into this sector? "Yes, I know, but why this divide? I have never believed in these segregations. My mom has always encouraged me to go ahead and realise my dreams". Women have ventured into every field today, and such discriminations do not hold good. They ride autos, steer buses and even climb coconut trees. Success, therefore is, at their doorstep. But most often, the problem is within.
"Women fail to recognise their potential. In fact, most people feel that rural women suffer the most. But that is not true. I have seen them do the most unconventional "manly" things when I toured Kerala and Kanyakumari. In fact, urban women who feel they are liberalised and free, are the ones leading a life of illusion", says an intrepid
Meenakshi.
"We need to define what liberation is - is it roaming around in swanky cars, cell phone in hand or being able to make individual choices", points she. Women can make wonders, provided they get their priorities right. As a concluding statement what would she like to communicate to those young women who have already begun idolising her? "Dream big, work hard, persevere and have faith in youself and God". Well said, by someone who seems to have oodles of it all.
When Chennaionline.com greeted Meenakshi Vijayakumar at her Tamil Nadu Housing Board flat, her husband Vijayakumar and 11-year-old son Kshithij were with her, savouring the moment, surrounded by a mountain of bouquets. Vijayakumar works for Indian Airlines in Hyderabad. So, she had take care of her son and run the house on her own. "I want to thank my cook and the maid who helped me while I studied for the exams," says an emotional
Meenakshi.
Kshithij is quiet but wondering why his mother is suddenly getting so much attention and this many visitors.
Meenakshi attributes the success to her husband who supported her right through. On her dual role as a housemaker and a working woman, she feels, "women should have the support of family members and the confidence that they can do justice to home and office."
Right now, Meenakshi is at home, and hasn't gone to her office (Zonal Training Centre, Tambaram) yet.
From next week, it will be all work. "Right now, I feel elated and blessed."
Come to Valmiki Nagar in Thiruvanmiyur, a stone's throw from the sea, and ask for Meenakshi Vijayakumar. And every single resident, passer-by will give you the direction to her house with a sense of pride and elation. "Oh, that Fire Officer, Amma?" is the refrain.
"Women fail to recognise their potential. In fact, most people feel that rural women suffer the most. But that is not true. I have seen them do the most unconventional "manly" things when I toured Kerala and Kanyakumari. In fact, urban women who feel they are liberalised and free, are the ones leading a life of illusion", says an intrepid
Meenakshi.
