A Devasena, Jangaon district collector in Telangana has been selected for the Telangana Excellence Awards 2017. Being a mother of a girl child, she was moved by the plight of a little girl who was raped. She decided that girl children need to be strong and launched a self-defence programme for all girl students.

The self-defence programme covers over 16,000 girl students from seventh class to inter second year in all government schools and junior colleges in the district. They have been trained in self-defence techniques and martial arts.

Training was also given to about 500 Anganwadi teachers and PETs in schools so that the practice sessions for the girls will continue even after the course is over.

Devasena also initiated the mass presentation of martial display called ‘Sanghatitha Sabala’on a single platform where 13,600 girl students participated and created a world record.

Exceptional work has been done by three other IAS officers working in tribal areas. They selected the best 30 tribal students from interior regions and gave them training in competitive examinations. RV Karnan, Mancherial district collector, who is also the project officer said that the 30-stars programme saw some of them making it to IITs, NITs and JNTU. The three officers have also been chosen for the award.

The TEX-2017 awards instituted by the Telangana government will be presented to Devasena and 13 other IAS officers for their outstanding work in three categories - innovation, general and government flagship programmes.