Ranchi, Aug. 8: A. Vijaya Lakshmi, a 2006 batch IPS probationer, will be leading the I-Day parade at Morabadi grounds where chief minister Madhu Koda is scheduled to hoist the Tricolour.

This will be the first time a lady IPS officer would lead the parade in the state.

“I am happy to get the opportunity to lead the main parade of Independence Day in the state about 1,000km from my home town,” she said soon after taking part in the rehearsals that began today.

The Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Forces, Jharkhand Armed Police, Jharkhand home guards, district armed force and NCC cadets attended today’s practice session.

The daughter of an accounts officer at Andhra Pradesh Electricity Board, Vijaya Laxmi loves reading history books though she has a BTech in computer science from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. A resident of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, she is married to Sreenu — a lawyer in Andhra Pradesh High Court.

She has never participated in extra-curricular activities as a student and this would be the first time she would lead the I-Day parade. The IPS officer learnt Hindi after she was allotted the Jharkhand cadre.

Judging by the reaction of other participants, she had no problem with her diction. “Her commands were loud and clear. She was walking smartly and watching the troops minutely,” NCC air wing flying cadet Anjali Soni said.

The state government made elaborate arrangements for the I-Day rehearsals.

Refreshments were being served and buses provided for the participants.