imported>Gronk Oz: Clean up, typo(s) fixed: Assistant Professor → assistant professor, grand-daughter → granddaughter, Tamilnadu → Tamil Nadu (5), ’s → 's

2021-08-21T16:21:10Z

Clean up, typo(s) fixed: Assistant Professor → assistant professor, grand-daughter → granddaughter, Tamilnadu → Tamil Nadu (5), ’s → 's

New page

[[File:Meenakshivijayakumar.jpg|thumb|Meenakshi Vijaykumar Portrait]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{cleanup rewrite|date=January 2021}}
'''Meenakshi Vijaykumar''' is the first Indian Women fire officer. At Present she is working as the Joint Director, State Training Center, Tambaram, Chennai. She has received The President's Medal for Gallantry in 2013 for saving two lives. She has also received The President's Medal for Meritorious Service in 2019. She is 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 also Indian Fire Service Games held in Nagpur.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rediff E Magazine|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2003/aug/05spec.htm|work=First Woman Fire Officer "Meenakshi Vijayakumar"}}</ref>

==Education==
She did her schooling in Bharath Senior Secondary School, [[Chennai]].<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/founders-day-alumni-meet-organised-at-bharath-school/article947061.ece Founder's Day, Alumni meet organised at Bharath school - ''The Hindu'']</ref> She completed her under graduation and post graduation in English Literature from Ethiraj College, Chennai. She completed her PG diploma in Industrial Relation and Personnel Management, from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi in 1991. She completed her Degree of Bachelor of Education from Annamalai University in 1994. She has also completed Advanced Diploma courses in National Fire Service College. She was awarded certificate of "Graduate Member" by Institute of Fire Engineers, India in 2008 and was awarded IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Science and Fire Safety (HL) by Institute of Fire Engineers, Marton on Marsh, United Kingdom in 2014. She was also awarded NEBOSH International General Certificate in occupational Health and safety by National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, England in 2014.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}, Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2017.

[[File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Institute of Fire Engineers.jpg|thumb|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Institute of Fire Engineers]]
[[File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Parade.jpg|thumb|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Parade]]

==Career==
Meenakshi Vijayakumar started her career as assistant professor in English at Chellamal College, Chennai in 1990. She worked as a lecturer in Communication Technique at Father Agnel Institute of Management, New Delhi. She cleared Group 1 service exam in 1998, but had to wait until 2003, before it was decided that women officers could be included in fire service.

She worked as the Divisional Fire Officer of north Chennai for four and a half years and suburban Chennai for one and a half years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/major-fire-in-manali-polymer-unit/article1854857.ece|title=Major fire in Manali polymer unit|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>[http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Step-Out-of-Comfort-Zone/2014/03/08/article2096445.ece1 'Step Out of Comfort Zone']. ''New Indian Express''. By Priyadarshini S - Chennai 8 March 2014</ref> She has attended more than 400 fire and rescue calls.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/fire-in-leather-goods-firm/article1879932.ece "Fire in leather goods firm" - ''The Hindu'']</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/fire-in-perambur/article1818411.ece|title=Fire in Perambur|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/fire-at-kilpauk-garden-department-store-complex/article1803782.ece "Fire at Kilpauk Garden department store complex"] - ''The Hindu''</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/fire-destroys-warehouse-in-manali/article1353750.ece|title=Fire destroys warehouse in Manali|work=The Hindu}}</ref> She took part in the rescue operations in the [[Tsunami]] disaster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tnfrs.tn.nic.in/major-rescue.htm|title=major rescues by TNFRS|publisher=}}</ref> She was also responsible for organizing fire safety programs in her division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/firecracker-shops-told-to-strictly-adhere-to-safety-norms/article1334837.ece|title=Firecracker shops told to strictly adhere to safety norms|work=The Hindu}}</ref> She has trained more than 30 batches of fire officers from all over India.<ref name="train">[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/teaching-students-to-tackle-disasters/article6810920.ece Teaching students to tackle disasters].</ref>

In 2013 she was awarded the President's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1438348.ece|title=Woman fire officer to get President's Gallantry Medal|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> She gives talks encouraging young Indian women to pursue careers.<ref>[http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/student/Female-Students-Urged-to-Crush-Hurdles-and-Achieve-Success/2014/03/07/article2094620.ece "Female Students Urged to Crush Hurdles and Achieve Success"]. by ''India Express News Service'' - Chennai Published: 7 March 2014</ref>

[[File:Meenakshivijayakumar101.jpg|thumb|Opening Ceremony- 2018 National Fire Games, Nagpur]]
[[File:Meenakshivijayakumar102.jpg|thumb|On Sports Event]]
[[File:Meenakshivijayakumar103.jpg|thumb|On Spots Event]]
[[File:Meenakshivijayakumar104.jpg|thumb|Medals Received - National Fire Games]]
[[File:Meenakshivijayakumar105.jpg|thumb|Appreciated by DGP, TNFRS]]
[[File:Meenakshivijayakumar106.jpg|thumb|Appreciated by DGP, TNFRS]]
[[File:Meenakshi vijayakumar (3).jpg|thumb|Meenakshi vijayakumar at work]]
[[File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Chennai Flood Rescue 1.jpg|thumb|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Chennai Flood Rescue 1]]
[[File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Chennai Flood Rescue 2.jpg|thumb|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Chennai Flood Rescue 2]]
[[File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Chennai Flood Rescue 3.jpg|thumb|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Chennai Flood Rescue 3]]
[[File:Meenakshi vijayakumar (2).jpg|thumb|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at Chennai Flood Rescue]]
[[File:Appreciated by Honorable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.jpg|thumb|Appreciated by Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
[[File:Medal Received from Hon'ble Chief Minister, TN.jpg|thumb|Appreciated by Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
[[File:During Firefighting.jpg|thumb|during Firefighting]]
[[File:With DGP C.K.Gandhirajan.jpg|thumb|With DGP C.K.Gandhirajan.jpg]]
[[File:Appropriated by DGP George, TNFRS.jpg|thumb|Appropriated by DGP George, TNFRS.jpg]]
[[File:Appropriated by DGP Natraj.jpg|thumb|Appropriated by DGP Natraj.jpg]]
[[File:With tiger.jpg|thumb|Most happies movement]]
[[File:Proudly Received President's Medal 2021.jpg|thumb|Proudly Received President's Medal 2021]]
[[File:With DGP Ramesh Kudawala - During Flood in 2015.jpg|thumb|With DGP Ramesh Kudawala - During Flood in 2015]]
[[File:With DGP Dr.C.Sylendrababu.jpg|thumb|With DGP Dr.C.Sylendrababu]]
[[File:TNFRS - Deep Diving Swimmers.jpg|thumb|TNFRS - Deep Diving Swimmers]]
[[File:Received Medals from TN Govt.jpg|thumb|Received Medals from TN Govt]]
[[File:Veera Thirumagal Award with Aachi Masala Preparator THELMA.jpg|thumb|Veera Thirumagal Award with Aachi Masala Preparator THELMA]]
[[File:Veera Thirumagal Award.jpg|thumb|Veera Thirumagal Award]]

== Personal details ==

She is the daughter of late Mr P.K. Padhmanathan, former Joint Registrar, Co-operative society and Dr. V.S. Krishnakumari, former director, Children's Hospital, Egmore,<ref>[http://www.koodal.com/women/success/article.asp?id=835&title=former-minister-kakkan-s-grand-daughter-meenakshi-vijayakumar-achieves-in-fire-service Former Minister Kakkan's grand daughter Meenakshi Vijayakumar achieves in Fire Service. Successfully Stories of Wo...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140929/http://www.koodal.com/women/success/article.asp?id=835&title=former-minister-kakkan-s-grand-daughter-meenakshi-vijayakumar-achieves-in-fire-service |date=2015-04-02 }}</ref> and the eldest granddaughter of [[P. Kakkan|Kakkanji]].

==Honours and awards==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Name of award or honour !! Awarding Organisation
|-
| 1983 || Kanchi Shankaracharya Medal (best out going student) || Ethiraj college
|-
| 13.03.2005 || Probas Club Award (First women fire officer) || Probas Club of Chennai
|-
| 19.12.2005 || Rotract Club Award || Rotract Club of Vepery
|-
| 2005/2006 || Rotary Award for vocational excellence || Rotary Club of Chennai
|-
| 2012 || Vijay TV Award || Vijay TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/article2975382.ece?viewImage=1|title=Woman's Day Special|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>[http://www.eventfaqs.com/eventfaqs/wcms/en/home/news/Star-Vijay-initiates-Woman-Ach-1331213562048.html EVENTFAQS - Star Vijay establishes a new IP in Woman Achievers Awards]</ref>
|-
| 08.03.2010 || Ajanta Fine Arts Award || Ajanta Fine Arts
|-
| 08.03.2013 || Madras university Award || Madras university
|-
| 23.07.2003 || Indian Express Award || Indian Express
|-
| 04.09.2004 || Dinamalar award || Dinamalar
|-
| 2010 || Gold Medal, Woman's Grand master B Shot put || World 11th firefighters games Daegu Korea
|-
|2013 || Mirchi Pudumai Penn Award || Radio Mirchi
|-
| 2013 || President's Gallantry Award || Government of India<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1438348.ece|title=Woman fire officer to get President's Gallantry Medal|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/padma-shri-for-city-doctor/article4345301.ece|title=Padma Shri for city doctor|author=Staff Reporter|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
|-
| 2013|| Excellence in Public Service || Just for woman magazine

|-
| 07.03.2015 || Woman Achiever award || Vels University, Chennai
|-
| 2015 || Appreciation Certificate for Meritorious Service during retrieval of Jarghand Girl from Sewage || The District Collector, Vellore
|-
| 2015 || Best Woman in the field of Fire Service || Vels University
|-
| 26.01.2016 || Appreciation Certificate for dedicated and selfless service rendered while carrying out the Rescue Relief Operations during CHENNAI FLOODS 2015 || The District Collector, Kanchipuram
|-
| 08.03.2016 || Eminent Woman Achiever Award || Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology, Chennai
|-
| 26.03.2016 || Woman Achievers Awards || [[Raindropss]], Chennai
|-
| 2017|| Won Two Bronze Medals for India in Badminton || World police and fire games, Los Angeles
|-
| Feb 2018|| First Woman Fire Officer to have Won Five Medals in National Sports Meet - three gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal || National Fire Games, Nagpur
|-
| 2017 || Tamil Nadu Government Chief Minister's Anna Medal for Dedicated service in Fire and Rescue Services || Tamil Nadu Government
|-
| 2018 || Meritorious Service Award ||Fire & Security Association of India
|-
| 2018 || "Sree Ratna" Award for dedicated, Innovative, totally involved, service for the community || Exnora International
|-
| 2018 || "Yuga Sakthi Puraskar" Award for Meritorious Achievement|| The International Association of Lions Clubs
|-
| 2019|| SAKTHI AWARD for BRAVERY || PudhiyaThalaimurai News Channel
|-
| 2019||JFW Awards for Dedication of Public Services || VBJ JFW Awards ||
|-
| 2019|| Won Five Medals for Tamil Nadu (Appreciation from Hon'ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister)|| Indian Fire Service Games, Nagpur ||
|-
| 2021|| President's Medal for Meritorious Service for unblemished service|| Government of India ||
|-
| MARCH 8th 2021|| Veera Thirumagal Award Received on WOMAN's DAY 2021 || AIMED - Aachi Masala Proparator Tmt.THELMA ||
|}
<gallery mode="packed-hover">
File:MeenakshiVijaykumar.JPG|At her rescue work
File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at University of Madras at Work 1.jpg|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at University of Madras at Work 1
File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at University of Madras at Work.jpg|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at University of Madras at Work
File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar at University of Madras.jpg|Meenakshi Vijayakumar at University of Madras
File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar Awarded.jpg|Meenakshi Vijayakumar awarded by S Janaki
File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar Family.jpg|Meenakshi Vijayakumar Family
File:Meenakshi Vijayakumar with APJ Abdul Kalam.jpg|Meenakshi Vijayakumar with APJ Abdul Kalam
</gallery>

[[File:With Makkal Selvan Vijayi Sethupathi.jpg|thumb|With Makkal Selvan Vijayi Sethupathi]]
[[File:With Beautiful Actress Simran.jpg|thumb|With Beautiful Actress Simran]]
[[File:With my officers.jpg|thumb|With my officers]]
[[File:JFW Awards for Dedication of Public Services.jpg|thumb|JFW Awards for Dedication of Public Services]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/fire-breaks-out-at-a-slum-in-jafferkhanpet/article3700475.ece|title=Fire breaks out at a slum in Jafferkhanpet|author=Staff Reporter|work=The Hindu}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/fire-at-ambedkar-nagar-in-chennai-248967|title=Fire at Ambedkar Nagar in Chennai|author=Press Trust of India|date=30 July 2012|work=NDTV.com}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130706113406/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130703/news-current-affairs/article/1-dies-3-rescued-pit-caves-pallikaranai 1 dies, 3 rescued as pit caves in at Pallikaranai | Deccan Chronicle]
* {{cite web|url=http://meenakshivijayakumar.weebly.com/|title=Meenakshi Vijayakumar}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Meenakshi Vijayakumar}}
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/what-they-say/article1861807.ece What they say - The Hindu]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vijayakumar, Meenakshi}}
[[Category:Women in firefighting]]
[[Category:Indian firefighters]]
[[Category:Women from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:People from Madurai district]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Meenakshi Vijayakumar - Revision history

imported>Gronk Oz: Clean up, typo(s) fixed: Assistant Professor → assistant professor, grand-daughter → granddaughter, Tamilnadu → Tamil Nadu (5), ’s → 's