World · India Bureau
IPS Officer in Traditional Attire Leads Weapon Blessing Ceremony in Chhattisgarh
An armed forces blessing ceremony in Rajnandgaon district featured an IPS superintendent in traditional saree wielding an assault rifle, drawing widespread attention on social media. The Vijayadashami event included ritualistic firing and vehicle blessings with senior officers and constabulary in attendance.
LSN India ·
A weapon blessing ceremony held at Rajnandgaon Police Lines in Chhattisgarh on Vijayadashami drew considerable online attention for its unconventional visual presentation. IPS Superintendent Ankita Sharma participated in the traditional Shastra Puja wearing a blue saree while holding an AK-47 rifle, marking a notable moment captured by media personnel present at the event.
The annual observance, which honors weapons and military equipment in Hindu tradition, proceeded according to customary protocols. Following the ritualistic blessing of firearms, ceremonial gunfire was conducted in keeping with established practice. The gathering also included a blessing ceremony for police vehicles, an increasingly common component of such observances across Indian police departments.
Senior police officials and constabulary members attended the event, which has since circulated across social media platforms. The participation of a female IPS officer in full ceremonial regalia during the weapon blessing has prompted discussion regarding gender representation in law enforcement leadership roles across India's armed and civilian police services.