Manjari Jaruhar
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Manjari Jauhar is Bihar’s first IPS officer and one of India’s first five IPS officers. Her book “Madam Sir” tells the story of her journey to becoming the first woman from Bihar to join India’s elite police cadre, overcoming adversity and discrimination. The book provides an inside look into the Indian Police Service through a woman’s perspective and is set against significant events in India’s history.
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In our conversation we spoke about her childhood, her challenges in her first marriage and how she picked herself up and “took charge” of her personal and professional life. We also speak about the many glass ceilings that she had to break as one of the first few Police Officers in the country.
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From the Podcast
Manjari speaks about the challenges she experiences in her first marriage and how she had the courage to walk out of the relationship and rebuild her life and her career. She recounts the role of her parents and some of her friends in this phase of life.
Manjari speaks about what it takes to raise an independent girl child. We specifically touch upon the notion of ensuring that the girl makes choices that make her financially independent which in turn gives her agency.
Manjari speaks about the art of investigation and interrogation. She first speaks about how the approach of investigation is often very different depending on the context of the crime. She goes on to speak about the role of empathy while conducting an investigation.
Manjari speaks about some of the situations at work where she had to balance the multiple egos and agendas and find an approach that’s tactful. She also goes on to talk about her black and white approach to situations and how she cuts through the clutter.
Manjari speaks about how she manages to stay positive despite the nature of her profession that brings her in touch with a lot of human suffering. She also speaks about how she has managed to compartmentalize the various elements of her life.
Manjari speaks about how she and her husband (also a batchmate from National Police Academy) juggled their careers and personal lives given the pulls and pressures at various points in time.
Manjari speaks about some of her insights around how she would settle into a new role. She specifically speaks about how her approach changes depending on the context in that situation.
In my experience of having worked with leaders, I have realized that outcomes often depend on the mindset of the coachee than the skill-set of the coach.
Manjari speaks about how she embraced her femininity as a Police Officer rather than trying to develop a cold exterior to fit into a world filled with men in the IPS.