Breaking barriers in a demanding profession, shattering traditional perceptions and fears, Madam Commissioner: The Extraordinary Life of an Indian Police Chief is the compelling autobiography of Meeran Chadha Borwankar. The book chronicles her remarkable 36-year career in the Indian Police Service.

In her own words, “This book is a record of the professional journey of a woman officer in a male-dominated police domain; it is a collage of diverse, interesting, exciting experiences.” She served in the Maharashtra cadre from 1981 to 2017.

Meeran Chadha Borwankar has tackled high-profile cases involving human trafficking, prostitution, rapes, even oversaw the execution of terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon, and the transfer of actor Sanjay Dutt from Arthur Road jail to Yerwada jail. She served as the inspiration behind the Rani Mukerjee starrer Mardaani (2014) and has been acknowledged in the credits. She played a pivotal role in controlling the real estate mafia, worked night shifts on the docks in Mumbai, and apprehended the thieves behind a Rs 9-crore burglary at Joyalukkas, Hyderabad.

From managing law-and-order situations in small districts of Maharashtra to working with the elite in Mumbai, becoming the Commissioner of Police, Pune, heading the prisons in Maharashtra, and the crime record bureau in Delhi, Meeran Chadha Borwankar has garnered numerous awards and is a prolific writer and motivational speaker. This is her third book.

The book also serves as a clarion call for women to step out of their comfort zones and seriously consider “their role in creating a robust criminal justice system in India.”

Each chapter is a captivating story in itself. The writing style is engaging and heartfelt. The book is divided into 38 chapters, each focusing on a specific incident. You can even read each chapter independently without losing the flow. Borwankar enriches her narrative by providing the socio-political, historical, and economic context of the places she was posted to. This helps the reader grasp the circumstances surrounding the situations she faced.

The book begins with an account of an accident that could have altered her destiny but instead instilled in her even greater grit and determination to succeed. Even with a father in the police force, not many girls would have considered a career as a police officer in the 1980s. She encountered challenging situations at work, but she emerged stronger and more resilient from these experiences.

Her training began as the sole female trainee in her batch. The rigorous training transformed her physically and mentally, equipping her with the mental fortitude to handle mob fury, public chaos, hardcore cartels, corruption, and more. As you delve into the book, you will witness how Borwankar shattered all stereotypes of pursuing a safe, back-end career. She dared to challenge the status quo and emerged victorious. She dared to “call a spade a spade” and faced some unpleasant consequences. Throughout her career, she never compromised her ideals or the lessons she had learned.

She reveals some harsh realities that most people would only imagine as fictional or cinematic themes. She delves into the undercurrents of power, greed, corruption, cowardice, and skill. Even the most seasoned policemen can lose their composure when faced with enraged mobs. She also sheds light on the legal framework that governs the police force. Every bullet fired and every action taken must be accounted for.

The book offers an educational perspective for the general reader. Most people are unaware of the inner workings of a police training academy, the hierarchy, the norms, the weapons, the numerous criminal and investigative departments, the measures in place, and the legal framework. With Borwankar as our guide, we, the readers, gain insights into the different stages of a career path in the police force. We gain a deeper understanding of the grueling regime of the training academy, the minds of criminals, the importance of crime data, and the significance of teamwork.

Borwankar emphasizes the crucial role of citizen-police partnerships. As Commissioner of Police in Pune, she took proactive initiatives, involving students, women, NGOs, and opening her office doors daily for an hour to citizens.

She participated in a one-year Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship with the University of Minnesota, USA, and provides extensive insights into the functioning of the police force in the USA.

Overall, the book is a captivating read, offering valuable insights into the multifaceted aspects of her career, her educational journey, and her remarkable ability to navigate seemingly insurmountable challenges. The book is interspersed with quotes from notable individuals, which can serve as mantras on your path to success.

Book Details
Publisher: ‎Pan Macmillan 
Language: English
Paperback: 296 pages (Kindle edition available)
Price: Rs 499

This book was part of the blogger outreach programme by Pan Macmillan India. The views expressed are my own.