In 2004, Mandeep Kaur became the first sworn female Police officer of Indian origin, to be inducted into the New Zealand Police force.
But the pathway was not easy. Speaking at a capacity building seminar for women held in Wellington on August 12, Mandeep recalled, "I was born in a small village in Punjab (India). I was married at the tender age of 17 with great dreams of romance and the perfect life ahead. But things didn't turn out that way. By the age of 21, I was the mother of two small children and was left with no other option but to go back to live in my parents' house, because my marriage was less than ideal. "
"I didn't come from a privileged background, and there were many social and financial pressures. One day, I just heard from our neighbours, that their son Vicky had sent home Rs 60,000 from Australia -- that was a lot of money in those days, especially for a middle class family like ours. I thought to myself that if Vicky can do it, so can I - I'm older than him and can work just as hard."
Mandeep came to Australia in the year 1999, receiving a lot of help and support from her mother, who promised to look her children while she charted out a new life. "It was a steep learning curve for me," says Mandeep. "I did many odd jobs in Sydney, like working at a petrol station and just about anything that came my way. Soon, I began driving a cab, and worked hard on improving my English skills."
A couple of years later, believing that the family reunion program would be easier in New Zealand, Mandeep moved to Auckland, where she began her life anew.... again! Inspired by the dream of wearing a uniform, she worked hard on her fitness level, even learning how to swim. In 2004, she joined the NZ Police force....and the rest as they say, is history!
Constable Mandeep Kaur with SBS Punjabi's Manpreet K Singh Source: SBS
Mandeep Kaur currently works as the Ethnic Peoples Relations Officer at Auckland. She has worked as a frontline officer in road policing, family violence, the Investigation Support Unit, Neighbouring Policing and Community Policing. She also credits Australia for helping her along the way on her road to success, as she told SBS Punjabi in an interview. (click on the audio link above to hear it)
As a message to Punjabis around the world Mandeep said, "I would just ask everyone to encourage girls and women - daughters, sisters, wives and mothers, to hone their skills and talents, so they can contribute well to whichever society they live in. They must have the opportunity to fulfil their dreams - that is the best gift we can give any family, because if children see a great role model in their mothers, we would be empowering entire families and therefore, our community."
Read and hear more interviews from SBS Punjabi
Mandeep Kaur features in NZ Police’s International Women's Day video
