Dhanya Menon Pattathil from Thrissur, Kerala is India’s first woman Cyber Crime Investigator. The courageous and twinkling Dhanya in conversation with the Brand Kerala Team. “The first woman in Cyber Crime Investigation Department came as by chance,” she confesses and believes that everything happened by chance, and she loves to believe it as her destiny.
“My journey as a Cyber Crime Investigator cannot be seen as an easy one. Not easy doesn’t mean that I have work-related difficulties or pressure. Every job has its professional issues. It is a fact, beyond that, I feel, this field needs an acceptance” adds Dhanya She thinks life was much easy before, as she tells, “Before I got recognized, I could walk freely anywhere, now I have lost that advantage, but I am happy for the heights I reached. And fortunately there are no professional hazards to be specially mentioned, that I have experienced or faced in this field.” “It’s God’s grace; I am enjoying this lot” she smiled and continued, “I completely get involved in any activity I am committed to. Whatever I do, I try to put my cent percentage effort. When we put our complete effort, dedication, and energy on a particular thing, it is definite that the results will be excellent”.
It was her grandfather who compelled her to study this new area, and she became excited as she started working in the field. She narrates her journey of unexpected twists. “I started using computers and mobile phones after I got a job when I was twenty. At that time I was afraid to use such equipment. Still, I don’t have any craze over electronic gadgets. And all these happened as accidents in between when I was preparing myself to become a dancer!” She thinks that the types of cybercrimes happening in Kerala and all She added, “The main challenge I had to face was, to give a proper explanation about my field and what I do. Nobody knows what Cyber Crime Investigator does!”
Initially, she worked with Indian Express and BPL Cellular. Then she started her own business. While everything was as per routine, a major twist happened; the deviation to the new field. She was just twenty-four at that time. Then, it was necessary for her to find a justification to convince her and others. She believes in herself and states that “My only duty is to walk on it gracefully. I strongly believe that I am doing my best in this job”. She advises the aspirants to “think and think again, then does; think logically by deeply analyzing the facts, then study on it.”
She would like a change in the mindset of Generation Y when she observes, ‘Everybody did, so I’, this is what is happening everywhere. The reason behind creating an account on a social media website today is ‘because my friend did, so I’. “Find out what you need. Find the reason why you need it. Define yourself. The lack of this definition creates many problems”.
Dhanya, though busy with the work, is never away from her kith and kin. She says, “My hometown is Thrissur. I work there, and my family lives with me. I am working in Thrissur because I want to be with my family. I am trained in classical dance, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi are my favorite dance forms. I do have a doctorate in Kuchipudi. Her other interests include driving, reading books and being with friends. She has formed a cultural trust called ‘Salapanchika’, and an online cultural magazine titled ‘Ente Salapanchika’, her sister Deepa and cousin Sreedevi is in charge of the same.
Her bunch of friends and parents give her support and encouragement. over the world are almost similar. Cybercrime is a platform where we come across a variety of crimes happening around, from molestation to murder and terrorism. Almost all types of cybercrimes happen in Kerala. It is because people in Kerala are much familiarised with modern technology. They keep updating their knowledge of the latest technology. So the number of people alien to technology in Kerala is comparatively less while compared to other states.”
