8 JULY2025After winning five medals at the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG), which took place in Birmingham, USA, from June 27 to July 6, 24-year-old Uttar Pradesh Police constable Riya Verma has gained international recognition.Riya, who was competing for India for the first time at an international level, took home two gold medals in freestyle relay competitions, two silver medals in the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke events, and a bronze in the mixed medley.Talking to TOI in the US, Riya stated: "My dream is to win an Olympic medal for India. That feeling would be beyond words." She credited her coach for spurring her journey to her father, Rajeev Verma--a swimming coach. "I started swimming in a small local pool in Class 8. My father taught me everything." He has been my greatest support.Saharanpur SSP Ashish Tiwari greeted her achievement, "Riya has brought pride to the force. Sports instill personality and foster teamwork--qualities essential to policing. We must support greater participation in sports."Riya is walking on the path of UP Police sportspersons who have played for the country at the international level. DSP Anuj Kumar Chaudhary, India's 2003 WPFG silver medal in wrestling, went on to represent India in the Athens Olympics of 2004. Punjab Police's DSP Avneet Kaur Sidhu, who had four medals (including gold) at the 2017 WPFG, went on to compete in rifle shooting for India at the Beijing Olympics of 2008. Munish Tankha, a silver medalist in India for the 100m butterfly of the 1988 WPFG, also went to the Seoul Olympics that year.The WPFG, a biennial Olympic-style competition for police officers, firefighters, and first responders, is promoted by the host city and California Police Athletic Federation. India this year ranked third in medal count overall with a total of 568 medals--all of which were 276 gold. The USA led the pack with 1,268 medals (536 gold), while Brazil was second with 723 (260 gold). UP Police too was leading the way for Indian success with 95 medals won, out of which 45 were gold, 34 silver, and 16 bronze. IN FOCUSUP POLICE CONSTABLE RIYA VERMA WINS 5 MEDALS AT WORLD POLICE & FIRE GAMES IN USAMP SHG NARI SWABHIMAN PRODUCES AFFORDABLE SANITARY PADS PROMOTING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE· Inspired by the film Padman, Nari Swabhiman Self-Help Group promotes menstrual hygiene.· With a Rs 3 lakh loan from NRLM, the women's SHG scaled their production.· The group has replaced unsafe cloth practices with hygienic alternatives.The Nari Swabhiman Self-Help Group in Neemuch district, Madhya Pradesh, has transformed its village economy by producing affordable sanitary pads. Supported by the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), the group aims to promote menstrual hygiene, women's health, and economic self-reliance, transforming their village economy.The women's SHG in Khor village, inspired by the film Padman, has produced sanitary pads to promote menstrual hygiene and women's health. With a Rs 3 lakh loan from the National Rural Livelihood Mission, they scaled up production, employing 10-15 women daily. The group has replaced unsafe cloth practices with hygienic alternatives, increased awareness, created stable income streams for rural women, and challenged stigma, demonstrating how SHGs can catalyze gender equity, health awareness, and economic inclusion.The group supporting women's empowerment in rural India received a contract to produce PPE kits during the pandemic. They now produce affordable, hygienic sanitary pads, raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and breaking age-old taboos. Their work supports families financially and promotes women's health and confidence.The group aims to protect women's health by replacing cloth with sanitary pads, which can cause infections and other health issues. The NRLM project, implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, promotes self-employment and the organization of the rural poor, aiming to form Self-Help Groups among the poor.
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