HYDERABAD: At the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), an iconic rock statue serves as a poignant reminder of potential with a saying of Italian sculptor Michelangelo saying: “There is already a fine officer in you. Help us chisel it out”.
“This statue is a constant source of motivation for many trainees, including me,” says IPS trainee Sonali Mishra. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, she is among the award winners of the 76th batch of Regular Recruit probationers, set to participate in a Passing Out Parade at the academy on Friday.
“The academy has given me opportunities to accomplish things I never thought possible,” Mishra said and added, “The statue reminds me that I have untapped potential.”
Mishra, who won the Manipur Cup for Law, previously served in the IRTS and cleared the exam on her last attempt to become an IPS officer. She is one of the 54 women IPS trainees graduating from a total of 188 officers in the current batch, and one of the 16 married women completing the Phase-I basic course at SVPNPA.
While Mishra transitioned from IRTS to IPS, Pathipaka Saikiran (31), from Warangal, left a high-paying corporate job in 2019 to pursue civil services. Talking about his family, Saikiran said, “I come from an agricultural family, but my parents always emphasised education over fieldwork,” he shares.
After completing his studies at IIM Kozhikode, Saikiran worked as a sales and marketing executive for over three years. “I have been inching closer to clearing the exam. I know I have the potential and am focused on investigations,” he said.
Saikiran is one of the four IPS trainees allocated to Telangana, alongside Manan Bhat from Jammu and Kashmir, Ruthwik Sai Kotte from Telangana, and Vasundhara Yadav from Uttar Pradesh.
The 76th batch began their training at the SVPNPA in November 2023. Their curriculum included indoor subjects such as new criminal laws, information and communication technology and forensics, and outdoor activities like drills and weapon training.
“We also received special training from agencies like I4C for cybercrime investigation, CRPF for left-wing extremism and NFSU for forensics,” said Vasundara Yadav.
With only a day left before their parents join them at the academy for the Passing out Parade, IPS trainee Sushmita R heartily smiled, saying: “When we joined the academy, we were civilians. Now, we are trained to serve the people.”