Meenakshi Vijayakumar

Meenakshi Vijaykumar is an Indian academic, firefighter, and the first Indian woman fire officer. Currently, she serves as the Joint Director at the State Training Center in Tambaram, Chennai. In 2013, she was awarded The President's Medal for Gallantry for saving two lives, and in 2019, she received The President's Medal for Meritorious Service. Vijaykumar is also the first Indian Fire Officer to have won medals in the World Firefighter's Games and World Police and Fire Games held in South Korea, Australia, USA, and the Indian Fire Service Games held in Nagpur.[1]

Meenakshi Vijaykumar
Born1965
NationalityIndian
EducationEthiraj College for Women
Occupation(s)Academic, Firefighter
Known forFirst Indian Woman fire officer

Education

Vijaykumar completed her schooling at Bharath Senior Secondary School in Chennai.[2] She pursued her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in English Literature at Ethiraj College, Chennai. Additionally, she obtained a PG diploma in Industrial Relation and Personnel Management from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi in 1991. She furthered her education by completing a Bachelor of Education degree from Annamalai University in 1994. Vijaykumar has also undertaken Advanced Diploma courses at the National Fire Service College. She was awarded the certificate of "Graduate Member" by the Institute of Fire Engineers, India in 2008 and received the IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Science and Fire Safety (HL) from the Institute of Fire Engineers in Marton on Marsh, United Kingdom in 2014. She also obtained the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, England in 2014. Additionally, she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 2017.

Career

Vijaykumar began her career as an assistant professor in English at Chellamal College in Chennai in 1990. She later worked as a lecturer in Communication Technique at Father Agnel Institute of Management in New Delhi. In 1998, she cleared the Group 1 service exam but had to wait until 2003 for women officers to be included in the fire service. She served as the Divisional Fire Officer in north Chennai for four and a half years and suburban Chennai for one and a half years.[3][4] Throughout her career, she has responded to over 400 fire and rescue calls.[5][6][7][8] Vijaykumar actively participated in the rescue operations during the Tsunami disaster.[9] She was also responsible for organizing fire safety programs in her division.[10] She also played a significant role in organizing fire safety programs in her division and has trained more than 30 batches of fire officers from all over India.[11]

In recognition of her bravery, Vijaykumar was awarded the President's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry in 2013.[12] She frequently gives talks to encourage young Indian women to pursue careers in firefighting.[13]

Personal life

She is the daughter of P.K. Padhmanathan, former Joint Registrar of Co-operative Society, and Dr. V.S. Krishnakumari, former director of Children's Hospital in Egmore.[14] She is the eldest granddaughter of Kakkan, a former minister.

References
  1. "Rediff E Magazine". First Woman Fire Officer "Meenakshi Vijayakumar".
  2. Founder's Day, Alumni meet organised at Bharath school - The Hindu
  3. "Major fire in Manali polymer unit". The Hindu. 10 June 2007.
  4. 'Step Out of Comfort Zone'. New Indian Express. By Priyadarshini S - Chennai 8 March 2014
  5. "Fire in leather goods firm" - The Hindu
  6. "Fire in Perambur". The Hindu. 30 March 2007.
  7. "Fire at Kilpauk Garden department store complex" - The Hindu
  8. "Fire destroys warehouse in Manali". The Hindu. 9 October 2008.
  9. "major rescues by TNFRS".
  10. "Firecracker shops told to strictly adhere to safety norms". The Hindu. 8 September 2008.
  11. Teaching students to tackle disasters.
  12. "Woman fire officer to get President's Gallantry Medal". The New Indian Express.
  13. "Female Students Urged to Crush Hurdles and Achieve Success". by India Express News Service - Chennai Published: 7 March 2014
  14. Former Minister Kakkan's grand daughter Meenakshi Vijayakumar achieves in Fire Service. Successfully Stories of Wo... Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
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