Islamabad: Manisha Rupita, a Hindu woman from Jacobabad District, Sindh Province, has become the country’s first Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Manisha, 26, a doctor of medical therapy from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Karachi and daughter of late Ballo Mal, a businessman of Jacobabad, first appeared in the country’s top civil service examinations, the Central Superior Services (CSS) exams.
Then she came to know that Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) was also going to hold combined competitive examination for the direct appointments of the Deputy Superintendent of Police and she decided to go for that.
It is the first time a girl from the Hindu community of Sindh has been selected after a competitive examination to a senior position in the provincial police department.
Kapil Dev, a rights activist hailing from Mithi, said it was a matter of pride for all the Hindu community of not only rural and urban Sindh but the entire country that one of their daughters has achieved this honour.
However, it was not an easy journey. “After death of my father in 2007, we faced hardships but my mother refused to compromise on our education,” said Manisha.
She gave private tuitions in order to continue her studies and spent the money earned on her books and educational expenses.
Manisha attributed her success to the support of her family, particularly her mother who encouraged her to continue studies and follow her dream.
Manisha believes her success will motivate girls of rural Sindh to break cultural barriers. “I don’t look upon myself as a representative of Hindu women alone, rather I think I represent the rural women of Sindh”, she said.
“Conventionally and culturally, rural women whether Muslim or the Hindu are expected to stay at home and refrain from going out in order to realize their dreams. But my message to them is to break these barriers and try their luck in the world that is full of promise.”
