Savitribai’s daughters empower our nation

 2 June 2022

 

Some time back, I wrote about Mrs Savitribai Phule, a pioneer in girls’ education in the 19^th century ably supported by her husband Mahatma Jyotiba Phule who contributed to the social cause in the Indian society, especially in Maharashtra. Since then, education has been a power engine in every family that propelled socio-economic as well as cultural conditions of the society. Girls’ education is no longer a taboo in every religion, every caste and every strata of the society. The Government too encouraged a lot with free education as well as other facilities. It is said that if you educate a son, you educate an individual. If you educate a daughter, you educate the whole family.

So, it was a matter of pride as our daughters passed with flying colours every course they aspired. And this has helped in their employment in every sector including military.

Of the services, the Civil Services are the considered top echelon in the Indian society as the successful candidates are appointed on the prestigious posts with high responsibility and accountability far and wide. Every year, many hundred-thousand candidates appear in this examination after their graduation and postgraduation. Only few pass through successfully. With such an aura to this Civil Services examination, it is a matter of pride for everyone in the family and extended family if their ward succeeds in this highly competitive examination.

And this success has touched my near and dear family friend, Pushpinder and Bela Kalia, whose daughter, Anushtha Kalia cleared successfully in her first attempt with 143^rd rank in the Indian Civil Services examination 2021 whose results were announced on the 30^th May 2021. A week before, she was cool and confident, yet uncertain, given the toughness of examination and competition with hundred-thousands of aspirants for the prestigious services of the Government of India. She has a chequered academic career with the higher secondary school certificate at the prestigious Air Force Bal Bharati School, New Delhi in 2015. She graduated with a gold medal earning Bachelor of Technology degree at the esteemed Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, Delhi in 2019. Later, she worked as data scientist at Blinkit (formerly Grofers), an online shopping service for a brief period, only to follow up with a dream to compete successfully in the civil services examination. And this dream has become a reality last week. Anushtha is known for consistency in her approach towards studies, with in-depth understanding of subjects. She showed perseverance during difficult times and never allowed any distractions to linger long. Soft spoken, shy-looking, smiling personality of hers’ hide her pragmatism and confidence, the very traits that will stand in good stead in the career. She credits her success to her parents (Bela and Pushpinder Kalia), grand-parents, Tauji (Mr A K Kalia), Bua (Dr Vinay Kalia), siblings, close relatives and friends. She is looking forward to new challenges as she pursues the career in the civil services in the near future. With her rank, she may get Indian Police Service cadre. Indian police has shouldered ever increasing challenges over the past many decades and is one of the best institutions in the country. It has evolved from a law and order force to more of home security catering to the needs of law and order, financial and even social aspects, with human face. Anushtha will definitely prove an asset to this institution.

It is a matter of great pride for the Indian society to see women power surging in all fields and is unequal to none.

Congratulations and best wishes, Anushtha.