Looking Back

Around the mid- point of the first decade of the new century, a few of us amongst the spouse of serving senior IPS officers living in and around Delhi have been mulling for some time with the idea of forming an organisation where the wives could gather socially ,meet periodically and also work towards contributing positively to the society in some manner.

The idea caught on very fast as we met a few times- gathering momentum as we deliberated and debated , the idea soon became irresistible. It was decided that not only the serving, but the spouses of retired officers should also be invited to join.

We formed an informal group initially to take the idea forward in a tangible manner. When one recalls fondly those formative years, a montage of images floats in mind. Meetings used to be small but very lively. Aspirations often outpaced our existing capabilities but undaunted the pioneering group carried on.

A few social events were organised around this time which offered opportunity for larger consultation on the idea. The feedback, we found, was uniformly and encouragingly supportive. The pioneer group then began its journey rather tentatively initially with but soon gathered momentum with a modest membership of about forty. Shedding initial diffidence, it has since continued its journey confidently.

The organisation now has more than two hundred active members in Delhi. It was eventually registered as a Society christened as- IPS Officers Wives Welfare Association (IPSWWA) - under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 12th December,2008 in Delhi. It was a day of great happiness. We glowed with a great sense of achievement, but little did we know that the hard grind of setting up an organisation had just begun.

The IPSWWA started with the objectives of working for welfare of families of serving/retired/deceased policemen and pursuing appropriate activities deemed essential to achieve these goals. The organisation has since been focusing on Charitable activities. Modest in size but huge if you factor in the sentiments behind these efforts.

Activities IPSWWA have now spread to include periodical meetings where often members not only interact with each other but also with special guests/ invitees who share their ideas and experience with the members. In addition, it also assists selected deserving candidates in furthering their educational goals and contributes to a few identified charitable institutions which are doing good work.

Looking back, I see with nostalgia faces of colleagues who worked hard to set up and strengthen the Organisation. A lot of ground has been covered by IPSWWA in a little more than a decade that has gone by. It is heartening to see current members displaying a great deal of determination and zeal to take the organisation forward. I wish a great success in their efforts.