Had Prime Minister Narendra Modi been present at JAP-1 grounds in Ranchi on Wednesday, he would have been surely impressed.
For, not one, but as many as 14 all-girl bands were out on the field, marching in perfect synchronisation, playing the flute, beating the drums and doing all that such professional groups are capable of.
Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP), heeding the Prime Minister's suggestion of raising all-woman bands in the force, had successfully trained these girls - all school students from various rural areas of Ranchi district such as Angara, Bero, Chanho, Mandar and Ormanjhi - for a month.
And on Wednesday, they exhibited their skills in a band competition, which saw participation from 16 schools in all. While just two teams had boys, the rest comprised girls.
"It was a unique display of woman empowerment," commented state DGP D.K. Pandey, who was the chief guest on the occasion.
"The state police will do further for empowering women. While the process of deputing women writers ( munshis) at police stations has already begun, one-third of the state police force will comprise women in the future," he said, adding that officers-in-charge of one-fifth of the state's police stations would be women.
The band show was indeed a visual treat as the village girls, dressed in colourful attires complete with waistbands, berets and pom-poms, played the tune of India Gate and marched to display various formations like box, u-form, zigzag, swastik symbol and sunray.
The girls, who led their respective squads as stick-handlers, appeared confident as they threw their sticks up in the air and collected those without fail. Though most bands played flutes, two made music with bagpipes.
A three-member jury, comprising senior police officers, judged their performances.
The participants were themselves thrilled.
"I hail from a farmer's family and had never seen a band playing before. I am proud to be part of one today," said Anima Khalkho, who led her band as the stick-handler.
Addressing a conference of directors-general and inspectors-general of police in While the process of deputing women writers (munshis) at police stations has already begun, one-third of the state police force would comprise of women in future, he further said, adding officers in-charge of one-fifth of the state’s police stations would also be women.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Ormanjhi, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Namkum, and Anita Balika Uchcha Vidyalaya, Kanke, respectively.
Samaj Kalyan Evam Shiksha Vikash Sangsthan, Kishor Nagar, which runs a boys' home, was given a special prize. Jharkhand police vowed to help the home.
