Coming from a small remote village,  Meera went on to become a CRPF inspector and karate instructor. Meera's inspiring story revolves around determination, family support, and a passion for self-defense and girls’ empowerment.

Meera Thapa is a retired CRPF inspector, currently serving as the General Secretary of the Renshinkan Karate Association in Madhya Pradesh. She is also the President of the Madhya Pradesh Mahila Karate Association. She also runs her own Thapa’s  Karate Academy.

Meera shares that she took voluntary retirement from the CRPF in 2009 due to domestic problems, but her father and husband motivated her to continue working. Determined to empower girls and make them self-reliant, she began teaching karate and counseling children.

Talking about her childhood, Meera shares that her journey began with humble beginnings in a small village called Singrauli situated at quite a long distance away from Shimla. Life there was tough, with six months of snow covering the hills. Fetching water from streams afar, no roads for travel, and no electricity were part of their daily struggles.

Meera says that her dream to serve the nation led her to join the CRPF, though it was not an easy path for her. She had to walk three hours in the morning to catch the only available bus. When she was posted in Srinagar, she regularly had to face terrorist attacks.

Throughout her life, Meera found inspiration in her father and husband, who encouraged her to be bold and strong.

Drawing a comparison between education and experience, Meera says she values both as important in one’s life and career. However, she feels experience is more useful in some professions like hers.

Meera says that she regrets not pursuing her studies further after joining the CRPF during her higher secondary. She believes that had she done higher studies, she could have joined the force on higher ranks.

Her journey began as a constable, where her dedication and hard work earned her an early promotion. She showcased her sporting talent and was selected for the central CRPF volleyball team, becoming its youngest member. Not only that, she excelled in shooting and became a national champion in the CRPF shooting team.

Later, she earned a prestigious selection in the Special Protection Group (SPG), although she left the position within two years due to personal reasons. Subsequently, Meera was chosen to be part of a training center, where she dedicatedly provided training for an impressive duration of ten to twelve years. She was also selected for a special contingent of the best women officers of the CRPF from all over India which was sent to Liberia on a UN mission.Due to her exemplary service there, she was awarded a medal by the President of Liberia.

In her leisure time, Meera finds joy in home decor, cooking, and listening to bhajans.

If granted the opportunity to revisit the past in a time machine, Meera would like to relive the moments with her parents and brother, whom she tragically lost at a young age.

Throughout her life, Meera has been determined to empower and protect others, especially encouraging girls to learn self-defense.