Smita Tandi
Tandi receives the 2016 Nari Shakti Puraskar
NationalityIndian
OccupationPolice constable
EmployerIndian Police Service
Known forFacebook activism

Smita Tandi (born c. 1992) is an Indian police constable in the state of Chhattisgarh. She set up a fund to help people unable to pay for medical treatment and received the 2016 Nari Shakti Puraskar in recognition of her humanitarian efforts.

Career

Smita Tandi works as a police constable.[1] In 2013 her father, who had also worked for the police, became ill and died when her family could not afford to pay for treatment. In his memory, Tandi set up a fund called Jeevandeep for people unable to access medical treatment.[2] She opened a Facebook account to promote the fund in 2015 and twenty months later had almost 7.2 lakh (720,000) followers.[1][3] When Tandi receives a request for help, she visits the person and if the story is true, she then posts about it on Facebook and makes an appeal for funds.[1]

Tandi received the 2016 Nari Shakti Puraskar in recognition of her humanitarian efforts.[4] After her superiors heard about her activism, Tandi was moved to a position dealing with social media complaints on the Bhilai women’s helpline.[1]

Personal life

Smita Tandi was born c. 1992 and lives in Durg, a city in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.[1] She represents Chhattisgarh at volleyball.[1] In 2018, Tandi reported an incident of sexual harassment on a train between Bilaspur and Bhatapara. Her assailant was arrested by the Railway Protection Force.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Mishra, Ritesh (1 November 2016). "With over 7 lakh followers, Chhattisgarh cop makes Facebook platform to help". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. ^ Singh, Sanjay (7 March 2018). "International Women's Day: India's 6 most powerful women who defeated all odds". Tech Observer. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. ^ "She is no glam doll, yet she has 7 lakh FB fans: This Chhattisgarh cop deserves a standing ovation". InUth. 2 November 2016. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  4. ^ Gupta, Moushumi Das (4 March 2017). "Nari Shakti in many forms: ISRO scientists, Sheroes, a driver to get top honours". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. ^ News Desk (26 January 2018). "President Medal Awardee Inspector Smita Tandi Harassed on Moving Train; Accused Arrested". India News. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
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