'Pain, Insults, Taunts & Threats': How Anju Yadav Defied All Odds To Achieve Her Police Dream

Anju Yadav, a woman who refused to let her dreams be crushed by chores and societal restrictions, has become a symbol of courage and inspiration online. She shared her journey in a viral Instagram post, detailing how she overcame immense obstacles to reach new heights, ultimately becoming the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Rajasthan. Life tested her at every step, but she never lost her strength and achieved her dreams with flying colours.According to the Better India, Anju grew up in a small village in Haryana and attended a government school. She completed her bachelor’s degree through distance learning, quietly proving that ambition can thrive anywhere.She got married at 21 and became a mother by 24, confronting life’s hardships

with determination. After her husband’s death in 2021, she did not let grief stop her. With encouragement from her father, Lalaram Yadav, a diligent farmer, she continued her education, raised her son, pursued a career in government teaching, and prepared rigorously for competitive exams.Her unwavering commitment and hard work ultimately paid off when she successfully cleared the Rajasthan Administrative Services Examination. In September 2025, she officially took oath as the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Rajasthan.On her Instagram account @anjuyadav_dsp, she shared a post expressing her inspiring journey, showing two photos that depicted her transformation. In the caption, she wrote, "From Helpless to Empowered Woman. When the first photo was taken, there was neither hope of becoming something nor had I even heard the name of DySP. A woman who worked from morning till evening at home, only waiting for the next day to begin. That tired body, those sad eyes, tied down in chains of restrictions — only doing what she was told to do. Even sleeping and waking up had a fixed time. If she got late, the entire day was spoiled."

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A post shared by Anju Yadav (@anjuyadav_dsp)

She further added, "And if she dared to talk about dreams, she would be burdened with extra chores so she wouldn’t even remember those dreams. Especially in villages or poor households, women are not considered to have the right to dream. And if they do, they must be prepared to face insults, violence, being sent back to their parents’ home, or even physical abuse — all considered 'normal.' In such an environment, Anju too once dreamt. A very small dream — just to raise her son and herself. But the price was heavy, paid by her parents and her son. After that began a new journey filled with pain, insults, taunts, and threats. Yet she didn’t know that from here, she was actually choosing a life of freedom and dignity."She concluded, "That freedom took years to come, slowly but surely. And then came love, respect, and honour — things she had been deprived of for years. From that first photo, she transformed into the woman in the second photo."Her Instagram post has garnered immense admiration online, motivating countless people. Once confined by household duties and societal pressures, Anju has risen to become resilient, fearless, and self-reliant — serving as a powerful source of inspiration for millions of women.