Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: Muskan Sawhney, a former radio jockey from Jammu’s Janipur area, is now serving as Station House Officer (SHO) Kakapora in Pulwama district, currently on probation after qualifying for the Jammu and Kashmir Police Services (JKPS). Her transition from speaking on the microphone to leading a police station is marked by determination, daily challenges, and a deep sense of public service.
Muskan grew up in a lower-middle-class family and started working early. While doing her graduation between 2017 and 2020, she joined All India Radio’s Yuva Tarang youth show in 2018. She became popular for her voice and interviews with civil servants, artists, and social influencers. “People loved those interviews. They were a hit,” she says.
Becoming a police officer was not her childhood dream. But her father’s struggles and desire for respect in society made her think differently. “For my father and me, respect was more important than money,” she says. Although she did not have access to coaching or study material, she worked hard-managing radio, teaching Zumba and yoga, and giving tuition-to prepare for the civil services exam. She passed the JKPS exam and was shocked when she got selected.
Today, she is posted as SHO Kakapora in Pulwama. She works to stop crime before it happens, especially among youth. “If children get into crime, what will happen to the next generation?” she asks. She holds awareness programs and talks directly to young people.
Muskan says her experience as an RJ helps her in her police role. “Earlier I used to talk one-way through the mic; now it’s two-way. I talk, they listen, and we solve problems through words. The pen is mightier than the sword,” she adds.
She also credits her mother for shaping her character. “I love my father, but my mother has played a bigger role in shaping our nature and discipline,” she says.
Her younger sister is her emotional support, while professionally she depends on her SDPO and SSP, whom she calls her mentors.
As a woman SHO, she says other women feel comfortable approaching her. “But I believe both male and female officers are becoming more understanding now. When people are calm and listen, the gap disappears,” she added.
Muskan encourages girls to dream big. “Many girls fear their dreams will not come true. But dreaming gives you a vision. Talk to your parents; take them into confidence. Do not hurt them, but also do not give up,” she says.
She also has a message for parents: “Be friends with your children. Talk to them, understand their interests, and support them. If they fail, they’ll still return to you.”
Follow our WhatsApp channel
