Kozhikode: “My Anu became a police officer,” wrote Thiruvambady MLA Linto Joseph on social media, posting a photo of himself proudly embracing his wife Anusha after her passing-out parade from the Kerala Police Academy ground in Thrissur. “The outcome of her hard work. Best wishes, dear,” he added. The post has so far garnered wide appreciation from people across Kerala.

For the 29-year-old Anusha, a native of Mukkom in Kozhikode, the moment marked the end of a long and determined journey. A postgraduate in Mathematics, she cleared the Civil Police Officer (CPO) examination of the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) in her first attempt and completed nine months of rigorous training before joining the Kerala Armed Police Women’s Battalion.

“She had been studying for the PSC exams for years, and her hard work finally paid off,” Linto told Onmanorama. “Even though our home was always crowded with visitors because of my political work, she remained patient and focused. She managed everything alone when I was away and never let distractions affect her studies.” To concentrate better, Anusha even moved to a coaching centre in Kozhikode, away from her home for a brief period in Thiruvambady.

Interestingly, Anusha kept her identity as an MLA’s wife under wraps throughout the training period. “I didn’t want anyone to treat me differently,” she said. “Only a few senior officers realised it when my husband came to drop me off. The others came to know during the passing-out parade. In the police force, everyone is equal; all came there after passing the exam — it doesn’t matter if you’re an MLA’s wife or not.”

Anusha and Linto first met through their work with the Students’ Federation of India’s (SFI) Thiruvambady district committee in 2016 and got married in 2021, after Linto became an MLA. After completing her postgraduation from MAMO College, Manassery, in 2018, Anusha initially prepared for bank exams before switching to PSC coaching. “I took a break during the COVID-19 lockdown but resumed my studies after marriage with complete support from both families,” she said.

Her primary goal was to secure a government job. “Teaching wasn’t something I wanted to pursue further. I focused on various PSC exams and was lucky to qualify for the CPO in my first attempt,” she said. Anusha also cleared the LGS Company Board and Civil Excise Officer exams but chose to join the police.

Preparing for the physical test was the toughest part. “I don’t have a sports background, so it was hard at first. Running was my biggest challenge,” she recalled. Determined to succeed, Anusha trained for six months at a local sports academy, practising every day at 5.30 am and again in the evening. She balanced her physical training with study sessions during the day and late nights.

After securing the 211th rank in the final list, she joined the Thrissur Police Academy in February this year. “The nine-month training was a wonderful experience. It was tough but incredibly fulfilling,” she said. Linto, who visited her every month during training, said he couldn’t be prouder. “She earned this through her own merit and perseverance,” he said.

Anusha will soon report for duty at the Women Armed Police Battalion, Kazhakoottam, on November 3. But she says this is only the beginning. “I want to continue studying and appear for more exams. This is just the first step,” she smiled.