Parveen Talha is a distinguished former Indian civil servant, celebrated for her trailblazing career that broke several glass ceilings. She holds the distinction of being the first Muslim woman to enter any Class-I Civil Service through the Civil Services Examination and the first-ever officer from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) to be appointed as a Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). An accomplished author and a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award, Talha’s life and career have been an inspiration, marked by integrity, dedication, and a commitment to public service and social reform.
Parveen Talha was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, into a prominent and educated family. Her father, Mohammed Talha, was a freedom fighter and a noted lawyer, while her mother was a graduate from Calcutta University. The culturally rich and syncretic environment of Lucknow deeply influenced her upbringing and is a recurring theme in her later literary work.
She received her early education from Loreto Convent High School and Senior Secondary School in Lucknow. She went on to pursue higher education at Lucknow University, where she earned her M.A. in Economics with a Gold Medal for being the best student. Her family faced a significant tragedy with the untimely death of her younger brother, Osama Talha, a promising journalist who passed away at the age of 27. In his memory, the family established the Osama Talha Society in Lucknow.
In 1969, Parveen Talha joined the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), becoming the first Muslim woman to enter the All India Civil Services. Her career in the IRS spanned 35 years, during which she held several key positions:
- Early Postings: MuslimShe served in various capacities in Mumbai and Kolkata.
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Deputy Narcotics Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh: In this role, she made significant strides in combating drug trafficking in a challenging region.
- Narcotics Commissioner of India: She was the sole woman officer in the International Narcotics Control Board.
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Director General, National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN): At NACEN in Faridabad, she was instrumental in training civil servants from across the country and even from other nations. She played a key role in getting the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to recognise NACEN as an accredited regional training centre for Asia-Pacific.
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Senior-most Woman Officer: At the time of her appointment to the UPSC, she was the senior-most woman officer in the IRS. She served a full five-year term until her retirement on October 3, 2009. Her tenure at the UPSC was marked by her deep understanding of the civil services and her commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the examination and selection process.
After retiring from public service, Parveen Talha embarked on a successful career as an author, drawing from her rich life experiences and her deep connection to Lucknow’s culture.
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Fida-e-Lucknow: Tales of the City and its People (2015): This collection of 22 short stories is a tribute to the city of Lucknow. It captures the essence of its unique Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (syncretic culture), its architectural heritage, and the lives of its people. The book was widely acclaimed for its evocative storytelling.
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A Word Thrice Uttered: Stories on Life’s Realities (2017): This book delves into the sensitive and controversial issue of ‘Triple Talaq’ (instant divorce) and its devastating impact on Muslim women. Through a series of poignant short stories, Talha highlights the plight of women who are often left destitute and helpless by this practice. The book was lauded for bringing a nuanced and humane perspective to a critical social issue.
For her long and meritorious service to the nation, Parveen Talha has been recognised with several awards:
- President’s Award (1985): She received the President’s Award for Specially Distinguished Record of Service.
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Padma Shri (2014): She was conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, by the President of India for her contributions to the Civil Service.