The Serpent's Whisperer: How Priyanka Kadam Rescued Her Calling in Gurugram

Imagine a bustling city like Gurugram, where life moves at a frenetic pace, and then picture someone who deliberately slows down, often in the dead of night, to face what many would flee from: a snake. Now, imagine that person is a woman, operating in a field traditionally dominated by men. That's Priyanka Kadam for you – not just a snake rescuer, but a true pioneer, challenging perceptions and fostering coexistence, one careful capture at a time.

For over a decade now, Priyanka has been Gurugram's quiet, yet undeniably brave, guardian of both humans and serpents. Her journey began not with a dramatic incident, but with a deep-seated fascination for wildlife that blossomed during her childhood in Goa. When she moved to Gurugram and completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Conservation, it wasn't long before her calling became clear. She realized there was a critical gap: a need for compassionate, skilled individuals to manage the inevitable encounters between urban sprawl and the natural world, particularly when it came to snakes.

Rescuing over 1,500 snakes across Gurugram is no small feat. Each call is a new story, a potential confrontation, or, more often than not, a chance to educate. Priyanka encounters everything from the common rat snake to the formidable cobra, the elusive krait, and even impressive pythons. Her work is a delicate dance of precision, patience, and profound respect for the creatures she handles. She knows that often, fear is the primary emotion driving people's reactions, and her calm demeanor helps to diffuse tense situations, replacing panic with understanding.

Of course, her path hasn't been without its significant hurdles. Operating in a male-centric domain means she's constantly proving her mettle, facing skepticism or even outright surprise. Beyond that, the job itself is inherently risky. Dealing with venomous snakes, navigating frantic crowds, and sometimes arriving to find people already attempting to harm the reptile — these are the realities she confronts regularly. It takes immense courage, not just to handle the snakes, but to stand firm against misconceptions and fear-driven aggression, all while advocating for a creature that's so often maligned.

When Priyanka responds to a call, it's a comprehensive process. She arrives, assesses the situation, and with expert hands, safely captures the snake. But her work doesn't end there. She ensures the snake is healthy, often coordinating with local wildlife authorities or her own "Wildlife Protection and Rescue Society," and then carefully releases it into a suitable natural habitat, far away from human habitation. This entire cycle is crucial for breaking the cycle of fear and misunderstanding.

What truly sets Priyanka apart, however, is her unwavering commitment to education. She understands that rescuing a snake is only half the battle; the other half is empowering people with knowledge. She teaches communities that snakes aren't inherently aggressive monsters but vital parts of our ecosystem. They help control pest populations, and most importantly, they'd much rather avoid humans if given the chance. Her message is simple yet profound: coexistence is possible, and compassion is key.

Supported by her husband, Karan Singh Kadam, Priyanka continues her vital work, demonstrating daily that passion, combined with expertise and sheer grit, can indeed move mountains – or, in this case, safely relocate snakes and shift human perspectives. Her story is a powerful reminder that heroes come in many forms, and sometimes, they're the ones quietly dedicating their lives to protecting the misunderstood and ensuring harmony in our shared world.