Vijay Raman: Guinness Record Holder Who Secured the Borders
Son of a Second World War Veteran from Kerala, Vijay Raman, born 18 January 1951, was disturbed as a young man by the discrimination faced by the local farmers, and this led to his decision to pursue a career in law and justice. He enrolled into LLB, topped the exam winning three Gold Medals.
Indian Police Service
Vijay Raman joined the elite Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1975, and in a career span of 35 years, distinguished himself as an outstanding and upright officer, winning accolades for bravery, courage and dedication to duty.
Beginnings
Vijay Raman began his illustrious innings in 1976 as ASP, Dabra, in the dangerous dacoity area of Chambal. As Additional SP, Gwalior, his deft handling of the student agitation as well as the lawyers agitation earned him recognition. He was posted in 1980 as SP, Bhind, which was considered the toughest district assignment at that time as it was the hotbed of several dreaded dacoits
Human Touch
His humanitarian approach helped adopt some children from the militancy affected areas into the BSF Residential School. Children of J&K schools were taken on Bharat Darshan to different States of India to experience unity in diversity.
In 1995, as DIG, ITBP, he started a Medical Assistance Scheme as CGHS dispensaries were not available in the remote hilly areas. And then later as Special DG Naxal Operations, CRPF, he was instrumental in curbing the Naxal menace in the affected States.
Thus, covering all aspects of policing, Vijay Raman’s sterling career has been truly exemplary. All through his career, he has performed his duty to the best of his abilities. His motto has always been the same: Winning without challenges is VICTORY but winning overcoming challenges is HISTORY!
Madhya Pradesh as Superintendent of Police, he was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry.
Leadership Skills
Vijay Raman’s qualities of leadership, building network of informers (mukhbirs) and his high interpersonal skills resulted in his career taking an upswing after this sensational encounter, spurring the decline of dacoity in the Chambal region. With his eye firmly on the known dacoits of the time, he initiated joint operations with the UP police, successfully engineering the surrender of infamous Phoolan Devi and Malkhan Singh. Always a reformer at heart, as IG (P) Chambal in 1999, he convinced dacoit Raju Kushwaha to surrender.
President’s Medal No. 2
Expanding his span of policing, as SP Special Branch, Bhopal. Vijay Raman played a crucial role in the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984. This was an unprecedented human calamity which demanded brave rescue operations and resettlement of affected citizens. He handled the job so deftly that during this painstaking detailing on the field, he was spotted by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who handpicked him for the Special Protection Group. His career track moved to the highest office in the country in Policing, posted first as Assistant Director and then as Deputy Director, SPG from 1985 to 1995. During this period, along with others, he was given the charge of security and protection of India’s Prime Minister of the time. He worked with four of them – Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar and P.V Narsimha Rao. During his tenure, he received the Prime Minister’s commendation certificates and was awarded the President’s Medal for Meritorious Services in 1991.
Guinness Record
Vijay Raman has always believed in overcoming challenges. in December 1992, he broke the Guinness World Record for Circumnavigating the World in 39 Days 7 hours and 55 minutes driving an Indian Car.
Securing India’s Borders
In 1997, upon promotion as IG, CM Security & IG Security, he successfully established Special Security Group for the CM of J&K. Later in 2000, his reputation of a hard taskmaster and a man of integrity saw BSF assigning the challenging task of commencing the multi-crore project of fencing and flood-lighting the International Border with Pakistan in Jammu region where many others had failed. He exercised innovation and accomplished the humongous task of erecting the first 45 kms of fencing at lower than the estimated project costs.
President’s Medal No. 3
In 2001, in recognition of his brilliant work to secure India’s international border with Pakistan, he was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
Fighting Terrorism
Showing exemplary courage, he ensured hoisting of the Indian Flag on 15th August 2003 at Lal Chowk, Srinagar.
In one of the most challenging and successful anti-militancy operations in J&K, he led the 10-hour nail-biting encounter in Srinagar, to eliminate Gazi Baba, the dreaded terrorist and mastermind behind the Parliament attacks.
Fighting Terrorism
Showing exemplary courage, he ensured hoisting of the Indian Flag on 15th August 2003 at Lal Chowk, Srinagar.
Vijay Raman with his wife
(As told by Veena Raman, wife of the Late Vijay Raman)
Images sourced from Google.
The following two tabs change content below.
Rizwana Kashyap is a multimedia artist, author of क्षण सरलेले, जा उडूनी जा पाखरा, सुंदर माझे घर, Neele Peele Phool, etc. and a columnist in leading newspapers.