Kamal Ghorui
Cracking the UPSC civil services examination is often seen as a test of intelligence, however, it’s more than that. But when Priya Kumari secured rank 232 in this year’s examination, her journey showd that it’s more like a test of endurance and resilience as much as it is about preparation. Hailing from Patna’s Phulwari Sharif, Priya Kumari shares that even though her preparation stage was full of ups and downs, what kept her going was will power and the support she got from her family. Her parents were determined, and they believed in their daughter. They understood support is not about control.
The role Priya Kumari’s parents played
Today, Priya’s parents stand tall with pride and overwhelming emotions. While speaking to a local news platform Principles of News, her mother, a primary school teacher, proudly says, “Meri beti ki wajah se aap mujhe jaan rahe hain… (It is because of my daughter that you know me).” She says she always believed in her daughter, and decided from the very start, “ Beti ki padhai mein koi badhan nahi aane denge (will never let anything come in the way of my daughter’s education).” The clarity and powerful support of her mother was an invisible boost for Priya. Priya’s father showed pride and confidence and said, “Garv ka shan hai… vishwas tha, jo chahegi kar legi (It is a moment of pride… always believed she could achieve whatever she wanted).”Highlighting the challenge many girls still face in India. In a society where daughters are often considered a “burden,” his perspective offers hope for a time when girls are valued for their potential. The father delivers a powerful message to the society and says, “Beti ko bojh na samjhein… aur uski shaadi ki chinta kam karein, uski padhai ki zyada (Don’t consider daughters a burden… worry less about their marriage, and more about their education).” His words reflect a mindset shift, something Indian society still needs to have. Her parents firmly stood behind supporting her as Priya prepared for the real battle. Her consistency and hard work, sailed her boat.
Priya Kumari’s journey of showing up every day
Priya Kumari didn’t achieve success on her first attempt. However, despite the failures, the girl stood resilient. Reflecting on those difficult phases, she says, “Aap par koi bhi bharosa nahi kar raha ho, aap ko khud par bharosa banae rakhna hai… (Even if no one believes in you, you must keep believing in yourself)”. The girl adds even when it feels like it won’t happen… you may cry, but then wash your face and sit back to study again.” Her words don’t describe anything fancy, but the raw tale of her journey where doubts and breakdowns were considered a part of the journey, rather than something to hide. She then adds, “If I can do it, anyone can.” Alongside preparing for the exam, Priya was also working a job. Managing both was not easy, but she chose to continue. “Mushkil tha, lekin job se mujhe security thi, isliye maine nahi chhoda,” she shares, explaining how that sense of stability helped her stay focused.When Priya was asked whether her parents feared sending her to another city for coaching, she admitted that there was fear, but her parents never let that fear turn into restriction. Her parents used to say, “Jahan achhi padhai ho rahi hai, wahan jaana chahiye.”In the end, Priya’s success stands on two strong pillars, her own resilience and a family that never held her back.
