‘Become a police officer’: Father’s words changed Baby Varghese’s life

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police arrest of “Sakkayi,” a man known for playing illegal street card games, was not a new incident. But this time, he did not get bail.

His young daughter, Baby, was in tears at home, afraid that the police might beat her father. The four-year-old insisted on seeing him and went to the police station in the morning. When she saw her father standing weak inside the cell, she started crying, and so did he.

When he was later released on bail, he came out of the sub-jail without even wearing a shirt. The little girl jumped onto his shoulders and asked, “Did they beat you? Are you in pain?”

He replied, “My daughter, you should study well and become a police officer.”

Today, Baby Varghese, an Assistant Sub-Inspector at the Ernakulam Women Police Station, says she owes her uniform to her father.

Her father, Varghese, was once a popular tractor driver in Thiruvankulam. Later, he became known for playing “muchittu” (a local gambling game), earning him the nickname “Sakkayi.”

After completing her graduation, Baby wrote the PSC exam. She took only one test- that for the post of police constable- and passed it.

Varghese was present at the physical efficiency test held in Thrippunithura. When his daughter cleared the final event, he clapped and jumped in joy, accidentally falling into a nearby canal.

Baby’s first posting was at the Ernakulam South Police Station. Six years after she joined the force, her father passed away. She has now completed 25 years in uniform.

Her mother is Rosamma Varghese. Her husband, Biju Varghese, is a businessman, and their daughter, Manna Maria Biju, is a degree student.

“I wish a movie could be made capturing these moments of my life,” said Baby Varghese.