Standing in the middle of the road in all kinds of weather — sweltering heat or incessant rains, armed with only a whistle and their own lung power, traffic control in Manipur is hard work. This is compounded by not only the lack of awareness of, but also open disregard for traffic regulations and rules on the part of the common people.

However these women in white and blue are some of Manipur’s hardiest soldiers who have been guarding the roads of the state for the past two decades, since 30 women constables were trained and assigned for traffic duty for the first time way back in 1986. In the next few weeks, this column will profile some of these pioneers – the first women traffic personnel in the state. Today’s column will focus on Hijam ningol Okram ongbi Memi.

Hijam ningol Memi was born at Kongpal Khaidem Leikai as the eldest of nine siblings – eight sisters and one brother. Her father Hijam Kerani was a tenant farmer, working on other people’s paddy fields, and mother Pishakmacha, a housewife.

As the eldest child, it was a responsibility filled childhood for Memi as she helped her mother in the household chores and in looking after her siblings. However, she diligently juggled all roles and also managed to put time apart for her education. She studied till Class V at Porompat Girls’ High School and then shifted to Ananda Singh Academy from where she passed her high school in 1983.

However after she completed her Pre University from NG Mani College, she realized that she had to now take a bigger role in the economic responsibility of the family. At that time, Memi was already a national level sportsperson too.

She had represented the state at the national level in various fields of athletics, handball, cycling, football, kabaddi etc. But sports required a lot of money — money which neither her parents or she had. She also morally felt that as the eldest child she too had to help her parents as they were finding it hard to manage the large family with their meagre income.

She applied for the post of a woman constable and was selected. This was in 1986. Among 79 women constables who were selected and trained for ten months at Pangei, 30 of them, including Memi, were assigned to traffic duty.

“I loved sports but having no alternatives, opted for the first job that came my way. But soon I came to like my job as traffic personnel,” says Memi.

In 1993 she fell in love and married Okram Mangisana, also a policeman, of Thoubal Okram Leikai. They have three children – two sons and one daughter. It has been hard work juggling a family and job, but having the support of her in-laws also helped a lot. Her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law looked after her children in her absence.

“It might seem that we are standing around and traffic control is easy, but actually it is hard work and you have to be alert at all times to ensure that traffic flow is smooth and there are no accidents,” says Memi.

“Flouting of traffic signs and rules are very common in Manipur. Even the most educated person would frequently park vehicles where they are not supposed to and will drive through when you are supposed to stop. This is our biggest challenge – the lack of awareness,” she adds.

“A person who drives a vehicle knows that there are certain designated traffic points on the road, for instance this area in front of the State Secretariat. Therefore if that knowledge is there, then it would be best if he or she slows down near the traffic point in anticipation of any signal. But no, it seems almost everyone’s inclination is to speed up instead and drive through the traffic point to avoid any stoppages. This will only result in accidents,” she cautions.

Another common problem that these women face is that of eve teasing and disrespect by the male drivers because of their gender.

For her work spanning over two decades, constable Memi received the Rajkumari Sanatombi award in 2001 and the Rotary Club award in 1999. She likes listening to music in her free time.