Madam Sir’s Unconventional Odessey Through A Conventional World.

Day 3 Book Review

Picture this – it was December, the weekend vibes were strong, and Herkey had this networking event going on. Guess what? I ended up meeting this incredible lady, Madam Sir, aka Manjari Jaruhar from the IPS cadre. Retired now, but still rocking that advisory role.

She spilled the beans about her life, from being your typical Indian girl destined for marriage to becoming a badass IPS officer. No big deal, right? She’s all about grace, not trying to be some hero overcoming odds. The pride she takes in her house matches the pride in her uniform.

So, Manjari’s journey started in Patna, with a sprinkle of P.G. Wodehouse – got me hooked right there. She joined the IPS in ’76, rocked the Bihar and Jharkhand police scenes, and even hung out with the Central Industrial Security Force and Central Reserve Police. And get this, when she started, there were no toilets for the ladies. Yep, they had to hike four floors! But, like a boss, she became a force for change.

Post-retirement, she dabbled in anti-piracy for the Indian music scene and is now a consultant for TCS on homeland security. Her book spills the tea on her journey – divorce, civil services exams, being a girl in a boys’ club, you name it.

She faced challenges, from her community calling her a ‘daroga’ to the system resisting a woman officer. And she gives out some golden advice – ask for help and deal with issues, not just whine about them.

The book, “Madam Sir,” is like a rollercoaster ride through her life – tragedy, despair, courage, hope, and grace. Forget ‘why me,’ she’s all about ‘how can I.’ It’s not just her story; it’s the story of millions of women navigating the tightrope between societal norms and professional power.

Oh, and the book is not just a biography; it’s a time capsule, covering everything from Sikh Riots to Bhagalpur blinding, all through the lens of a police officer. And hey, it’s heartwarming to see a conventional-looking woman kicking butt in uniform, with fellow IPS officers giving her major props.

So, here’s the deal – anyone can do anything.

The book’s titled “Madam Sir,” and you can grab it with ISBN 9780143457794 from Penguin.co.in. It’s a wild ride through a life that’s anything but ordinary. Cheers to breaking stereotypes and embracing the extraordinary!