Sanjeev Satgainya

Kathmandu

It is not easy to achieve success, yet more difficult to work as a woman in a country like ours. But there are few who despite all odds achieve the best and set an example. Bimala Thapa is such an example. Now superintendent of police, she shares her struggles. “I was the only daughter among four brothers and hence very tomboyish in my childhood. I never liked studying but loved extracurricular activities.”

Born in a village in Nuwakot district in 1961, Bimala attended Kundalini Prathmik Vidyalaya in the village. “Life was hectic in my childhood. As in every other village of our country, I had to do all household chores from a very young age and because I was the only daughter I had to get involved in kitchen chores also.” Bimala says that she is thankful to her parents for the concern they showed for her. “It is incredible that at that time my parents thought about my education. I was admitted in Kanya School, Lainchaur, from where I did my SLC. It is because of my parents that I am here.”

Joining the police department was not her wish. In a male-dominant society, police department was thought as a profession for only males but Bimala says, “To be honest, I always had a zeal to do something extra and I came to police department all of a sudden. I was working in a government office where there was no adventure which I always had tried to find in my life.”

Studies and work came together. “I never wanted to be dependent in my life. I kept on working and completed my studies.” Bimala has pretty good experience of teaching, government job and even journalism. “I worked as a journalist in a newspaper ‘Naya Kiran’ for one and a half year.”

Later she joined Sanchay Kosh and worked for four years. “Sitting in office whole day never appealed me. I always used to look for a job where there would be adventure,” laughs Bimala.

It was in 1983. She was still working in Sanchay Kosh and had completed her graduation from Padma Kanya College. “I came to know that there was vacancy for the post of inspector. I applied for that and I remember very well that there were 40 other woman candidates. Unfortunately I could not pass the exam that year.” Since she had once applied for the post, she had become little clear about her future plan. “I could not pass the exam at the first go but my job in Sanchay Kosh was still there. So, I continued.”

The next year, there was another vacancy but it was for the post of assistant sub-inspector. “Some of my well-wishers suggested that I could enter into the department as an ASI only and later there would be possibilities of promotion. I appeared in the exam. Among 1,600 candidates, there were two women selected, I was one.”

Now Bimala’s life took a new turn — Bimala Thapa became assistant sub-inspector of police Bimala Thapa. Being a woman, working at odd hours and tackling challenges day and night, does Bimala think that problematic? “Not at all. You have to strengthen your willpower. Nothing is impossible in this world. The only thing you should have in your mind and heart is ‘a can-do attitude’.”

“The discrimination we have is all due to the society and we have built this society. We can’t think of a revolution in one night but gradual change is coming. I being a woman never learnt to tolerate things that were not right and I have never faced any problem in my life.”

In 1990, Bimala got married to Kishore Prasad Sharma who is working as in-flight supervisor at the international airport and has a daughter and a son. “Of course, my job is challenging and there are times when I have to be on duty during odd hours but the family co-operation I have received has indeed helped my career.”

Promoted to deputy superintendent of police in 1993, she is currently the in-charge at Tribhuvan International Airport. Superintendent of police now, Bimala is an example for Nepali woman.

The job designated to someone has to be accomplished with honesty and at one’s full potential: this is the motto Bimala believes in. “It has been my aim to serve the nation with dedication, devotion, diligence and I am proud that I have tried my best to do that. We must not blame the society for anything for woman not being able to achieve anything. We have to come in the forefront and I am pretty sure that the society, the so-called male-dominant society will be there with us. We have to develop our country together and there should not be any discrimination. At least I have never felt so in my life.”