- Dr. Pritpal Kaur, an IPS officer from the 2016 batch, Nagaland cadre, is currently the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Phek district, Nagaland.
- She launched ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’ on March 8, 2025, to empower women economically by turning their skills into sustainable livelihoods through value-added products.
- The initiative trains women in food processing, packaging, and marketing, focusing on local fruits and vegetables, and aims for self-sustainability.
- Beyond policing, she’s involved in health initiatives like the Link Workers Scheme for HIV/AIDS and skill-building programs for women and youth.
Background and Career
Dr. Pritpal Kaur began her professional journey as a dentist, earning a BDS degree and excelling as a gold medalist from Maharshi Dayanand University in Haryana. Inspired by her mother’s belief in the purpose of education, she chose to join the Indian Police Service (IPS) to serve society more broadly. Passing the UPSC exam through dedication and strategic preparation, she started her police career in Nagaland’s remote districts, including Noklak and Longleng, before becoming SP of Phek.
Women’s Empowerment and ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’
In Phek, Dr. Kaur has gone beyond traditional policing to focus on women’s economic empowerment. On March 8, 2025, she launched ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’ at Phek Police Church, celebrating International Women’s Day. This women-led brand trains 30 women farmers and SHG members to create products like juices, pickles, jams, chips, and herbal powders from local resources. The initiative, which started training two months prior, aims to be self-sustaining, with trained women teaching others, including school dropouts and crime victims, to foster economic independence and village growth.
Additional Community Efforts
Dr. Kaur’s impact extends to health and youth development. She launched the Link Workers Scheme for HIV/AIDS in Phek, leveraging her medical background to emphasize prevention and treatment. She also hosted skill-building events with SAKHI: One Stop Centre, teaching food processing, paper bag making, and career guidance to empower women and guide youth away from harmful habits.
Unexpected Detail: Recognition and Challenges
An unexpected aspect is her international recognition, such as the IACP 40 Under 40 Award and the International Women in Social Impact Award 2023, highlighting her work in border areas with logistical challenges, where local community support was crucial.
Detailed Biography of Dr. Pritpal Kaur and ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’ Initiative
Dr. Pritpal Kaur stands as a remarkable figure in Nagaland’s administrative and social landscape, blending her roles as a police officer and community developer to foster economic empowerment, particularly among women in Phek district. This detailed exploration covers her background, career trajectory, and the transformative ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’ initiative, launched on March 8, 2025, alongside her broader contributions to community welfare.
Early Life and Educational Background
Dr. Pritpal Kaur’s journey began with a strong academic foundation in dentistry. She earned a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak, Haryana, graduating as a gold medalist. Her mother’s teachings, emphasizing the purpose of life and education, deeply influenced her, steering her towards a career where she could serve society on a larger scale. This personal motivation led her to pursue the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, a rigorous process she navigated through patience, dedication, and strategic time management, focusing on revision to succeed.
Career in the Indian Police Service
Joining the Indian Police Service (IPS) in the 2016 batch, Nagaland cadre, Dr. Kaur embarked on a challenging career in one of India’s most remote regions. Her initial posting was as the first Superintendent of Police (SP) of Noklak district, which shares an international border with Myanmar. This role, marked by logistical and transportation challenges, required her to work closely with local communities to address deficiencies, a strategy that proved effective and shaped her community-focused approach. She later served in Longleng district before taking up her current position as SP of Phek district, where her impact has been profound.
Launch of ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’: Empowering Women Economically
On March 8, 2025, Dr. Kaur launched ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’ at Phek Police Church, aligning with International Women’s Day celebrations. This initiative, detailed in a report by Nagaland Tribune, is a women-led brand aimed at transforming the skills of local women into sustainable livelihoods. The program began two months prior, with training sessions conducted by the Nagaland Tool Room and Training Centre (NTTC) under the Ministry of MSME, focusing on utilizing local fruits and vegetables for value-added products.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date and Location | March 8, 2025, at Phek Police Church, Phek, Nagaland |
| Initiated By | Dr. Pritpal Kaur, IPS, SP Phek |
| Aim | Create self-sustaining model, empower women economically, foster village growth |
| Training Start | January 2025, focused on food processing, packaging, marketing |
| Participants Trained | 30 women farmers and SHG members |
| Products | Juices, pickles, jams, chips, herbal powders with innovative flavors |
| Operational Teams | Processing, packaging, marketing |
| Upcoming Event | Showcase at Kisaan Mela stall, KVK Porba, March 19, 2025 |
The initiative trains women in food processing, packaging, and marketing, producing a range of products such as juices, pickles, jams, chips, and herbal powders, each reflecting the region’s rich biodiversity. Dr. Kaur’s vision, as expressed during the launch, is to create a self-sustaining model where trained SHG women pass on their skills to others, including school dropouts and women needing rehabilitation, such as crime victims. This approach, she believes, will contribute to the village economy’s growth, fostering peace and prosperity.
Broader Community Development Efforts
Dr. Kaur’s commitment extends beyond ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’ to other community development projects. She organized a life skill training event in collaboration with SAKHI: One Stop Centre, as reported by Nagaland Tribune, focusing on food processing, paper bag making, and a seminar on employment and career avenues. This event aimed to provide women with diverse skills and guide youth away from harmful habits like alcohol and drug use, encouraging entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency among SHGs.
Her medical background as a dentist has been instrumental in health-related initiatives. On November 16, 2024, she launched the Link Workers Scheme for people living with HIV and AIDS in Phek, emphasizing prevention, timely diagnosis, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment, as noted in Nagaland Tribune. She highlighted the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland and called for collective efforts from civil society, NGOs, and government departments to address the issue, protecting individuals under the HIV Act of 2017.
Recognition and Impact
Dr. Kaur’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She received the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 40 Under 40 Award in 2024, as reported by Nagaland Tribune, and the International Women in Social Impact Award 2023, recognizing her exceptional contributions.
Personal Inspiration and Legacy
Her journey, as shared in an inspirational piece by CHD Group, reflects a blend of personal loss and motivation. With her mother no longer with her, Dr. Kaur’s drive to serve is rooted in her mother’s teachings, making her a role model for UPSC aspirants and community leaders alike. She advises hard work and perseverance, echoing her own path from dentistry to policing.
In conclusion, Dr. Pritpal Kaur’s work in Phek district, particularly through ‘PHEK FLAVOURS’, exemplifies her commitment to women’s economic empowerment and community development. Her multifaceted approach, combining law enforcement with health advocacy and skill-building, positions her as a transformative leader in Nagaland, inspiring millions to chase dreams and drive social progress.