Vijayawada: The induction of 5,757 constables into the Andhra Pradesh Police on Tuesday highlighted the extraordinary personal journeys behind the state’s latest intake—stories shaped by poverty, social barriers, personal loss, and sustained determination. For many recruits, the khaki uniform represents far more than employment; it marks a decisive break from entrenched constraints and a pathway to dignity and upward mobility.Several women constables spoke of defying pressure to abandon education, shouldering family responsibilities during illness and bereavement, and enduring acute financial distress while preparing for recruitment. Some recalled surviving on subsidised meals from Anna Canteens during their most difficult phases, underscoring the precarious circumstances from which they emerged. Their success, they said, reaffirmed the importance of girls’ education and self-reliance.Among them, Kommu Sirisha from Nimmanapalli village in Annamayya district overcame persistent financial hardship to complete an MSc in Chemistry, while her sister pursues civil engineering at NIT Bihar. Sirisha said her appointment was a direct response to those who questioned the value of educating girls. Shaik Hafizuun from YSR district balanced personal loss, financial strain, and family responsibilities while raising her young son. She urged families to support girls’ education and advised youth to plan careers early with guidance from elders.From tribal hamlets, Lake Babu Rao, a BTech graduate from Alluri Sitharama Raju district, sustained himself as a food delivery agent while preparing for the exam, highlighting the lack of basic road connectivity in his village. Kunarapu Manikanta from Srikakulam studied while working privately, while Kasimsetty Akhil Gopichand from Guntur credited family support for fulfilling his childhood dream of joining the police.Across districts and social backgrounds, a common thread ran through the narratives: long years of preparation, strong family backing, and an unwavering aspiration to serve. The induction underscored how the police force has increasingly become a pathway of opportunity for first-generation graduates and marginalised communities, reflecting resilience and the transformative power of public service in Andhra Pradesh.
