Constable Archana Jayant, watching over baby and working at a police station in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
Highlights
- Spoke to Archana, ordered her transfer closer home, said UP police chief
- Baby inspired us to explore creche options, said Mr Om Prakash Singh
- Photo of woman constable with baby at work grabbed attention on Twitter
For Archana Jayant, a woman police constable in Jhansi, it was just another day at work but people on social media showered praises and told her boss to give better facilities to women cops, when she was seen in a photo on Twitter on Sunday, watching over her baby and working at the same time. Within hours of the photo grabbing attention on social media, the Uttar Pradesh police chief said on Twitter, he is "exploring crèche options" in police stations.
"Meet 'MotherCop' Archana posted at Kotwali, Jhansi for whom the duties of motherhood and the department go side by side! She deserves a salute!" tweeted Rahul Srivastav, a senior police officer in Uttar Pradesh.
Ms Jayant's six-month-old baby Anika was fast asleep on her desk, while she carried on with her work at the police station. Reports in the local media say, her senior, after seeing her with the baby, has announced a reward of Rs 1000 for her dedication.
Many on Twitter said the police must give better facilities to working mothers, especially with young children. Some said "it's time not to salute the brave mother but have a crèche...it will help many in the department irrespective of gender", while others said police reforms are the need of the hour.
Describing Ms Jayant as a "quintessential 21st Century woman", Om Prakash Singh, Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh said, "Had a conversation with Archana this morning and ordered her transfer to Agra, closer home! The little one brightening Jhansi Police Station, has inspired us to explore crèche options at every police line."
A mother of two children, 10-year-old Kanak and baby Anika, Ms Jayant, chose to join the police force in 2016 after completing her master's degree. Her husband works with a leading car manufacturer near Gurgaon in Haryana.