Latest news with #PoliceActof1861
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Book on history of policing in Rajasthan released at RPA
1 2 Jaipur: A book titled 'Police Itihas Ke Vatayan Se' (Police Through the Window of History), authored by Professor Dr Vikas Nautiyal, was released at Rajasthan Police Academy (RPA) Wednesday. The release was conducted by former BSF director-general ML Kumawat, RPA director S Sengathir, former IPS officer Hari Ram Meena, and historian Dr Kamal Nayan. Nautiyal said his aim was to build a bridge between the police establishment and academic discourse. The book traces the evolution of police from ancient times, and covers the colonial period in detail. It discusses the impact of the Police Act of 1861, the recommendations of the 1902 Police Commission, and various police manuals, on the princely states of Rajputana. Nautiyal said the book examins the role of police during colonial-era fairs, festivals, and civil unrest, alongside their positioning as a critical instrument of British control during India's national movement. Nautiyal noted that the book discusses two models of modern policing: one rooted in community-based practices, and the other shaped by colonial priorities. He emphasised the need to understand policing within its historical context. "We are not saying the British alone were responsible for shaping today's policing systems," he said.
India Today
22-04-2025
- General
- India Today
Meet Shakti Dubey, the UPSC topper shaped by policy debates and campus patrol vans
Shakti Dubey's story is not your usual UPSC topper tale. Yes, there's hard work, but it's also filled with small moments that shaped her big dreams -- from debating in BHU hostels to noticing how a single police patrol van made her feel safe at one feeling of safety and of service left such a deep impact that she decided to dedicate her life to public UPSC Civil Services 2024 final result was released today and Shakti bagged the top rank in India followed by Harshita Goyal with Rank 2 and Dongre Archit Parag with Rank 3.A PRAYAGRAJ GIRL WITH BIG IDEASShakti hails from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Her father works in the police force, and her mother is a homemaker. It was a typical Indian upbringing, but her perspective was anything but school, she shifted to Varanasi for college and joined Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where she stayed in the hostel and soaked in the diverse debates and discussions that campus life led from the front, becoming Head of the Student Debating Committee. That exposure, she says, helped her fall in love with policy, law, and the power of structured argument.'I've always been drawn to understanding how systems work -- and how they could work better,' she said during one of her mock of her big win, Shakti's father Devendra Kumar Dubey told ANI, "I am very happy. The only role I played in her studies was to make available anything and everything she needed. The rest was her hard work and the blessings of God.""We are very happy with the results... I am in the Police Department so I would mostly stay out of home. My wife played a major role in her success..." he added. WHEN PUBLIC SERVICE BECAME PERSONALOne of the strongest motivations for her UPSC journey came not from textbooks or coaching classes, but from a late-night walk across her campus.'Even a patrol vehicle on campus made me feel safe after late classes. That sense of safety, brought by public service, left a deep impression on me,' she wasn't just emotion -- it was backed by deep discussions with her family. 'That emotional and logical alignment drew me strongly towards civil services,' she said. And her parents were all in -- emotionally and DIFFERENTLY, SPEAKING CLEARLYShakti is someone who enjoys writing poetry and thoughtful one-liners. But don't mistake that for softness. She's sharp, opinionated, and structured in how she thinks. She dislikes reforms that are dropped from above without checking what people at the bottom actually need. And she isn't shy about calling out outdated systems.'The Indian Police still functions under the colonial Police Act of 1861, which was designed for control, not service,' she said candidly. She believes real reform begins with the constables, not just high-level officials. 'Sensitisation and community engagement should be prioritised -- especially for the constabulary.'When asked about the idea of a Uniform Civil Code, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, she responded thoughtfully: 'Women, especially in rural areas, are often at a disadvantage. A Uniform Civil Code would ensure equal rights for women and protect them from domestic violence, dowry harassment, etc.'But she's aware of the complexities too. 'Imposing a Uniform Civil Code outright may attract criticism and resistance. It should be introduced gradually, after consulting all stakeholders.'SHE THINKS GLOBAL, TOOHer optional subject in UPSC was International Relations, and it's clear why. She has a solid understanding of how India fits into the world. 'India has taken climate leadership through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, especially with island nations vulnerable to climate change,' she Indo-Pak relations, her analysis is nuanced. 'If parties like the Muslim League come to power in Pakistan, it may revive structured dialogue mechanisms, as seen in the past.'LIGHT THROUGH THE CRACKSShakti isn't just about policy and politics -- she's a poet at heart. One of her favourite quotes is: 'The cracks were the real weakness of those walls. But the cracks were also the reason the light entered.'That's how she sees life: flaws are not failures, but doorways to something Reel advertisement
