Setback that set me back to my destiny---Story of Wonder Lady who Can Inspire Millions of Young Women and Girls!

Setback that set me back to my destiny---Story of Wonder Lady who Can Inspire Millions of Young Women and Girls!

This story, I wrote for a competition in a newspaper. It was not accepted and now I am posting this unpublished story about a Wonder Lady, who Can Inspire Millions of Young Girls and Women.

A well to do family, where I was born in 1983 on last day of August but as beginning of a new era for my parents. My father, Mr Rajendra Singhal works as an Engineer but even more introduction about him is his honest and sincere duties towards his workplace and family. My mother, Mrs Anita Singhal Singh is working as Insurance advisor, from whom I do learn values, punctuality, sincerity, humility and most importantly honesty and integrity towards the duties and people. My birthplace, Meerut is beautiful and historical place in Uttar Pradesh. Right from my childhood, courage to fight the situations whatever and howsoever it may be, was inculcated in me by my parents. I love my two schools, Sophia Girls Schools Meerut and Lorento Convent School Delhi. Actually, I completed my schooling from Army Public School Dhaula Kuan, Delhi. I was always trained and taught to enjoy the studies and life, leisurely being honest to oneself. I learned a lot from Army school, not only about elementary education and academics, but many other things too, such as patriotism; dedication to nation; dedication and selfless service to society and mankind, and many more that I could learn exclusively in such wonderful ambience. I have been always good student for all my teachers; and I was admired and encouraged by them in all my academic and other endeavors.

     Above is the bright part of my small story, but real struggle begins with a physical disorder that I suffer from, is my spine-related disorder, called as scoliosis. I never felt this as a disorder in me due to my rock-bounded strong will power and incessant motivation that I am never less than anyone best ever in the world. I feel and realize my life as blessed girl, blessed daughter; and best daughter like any princess for a kingdom. Whatever I do; and whatever I achieve in those attempts; most of the credit goes to my mother who stands with like rock saying that “this is you only who could do it”. 

    The second paragraph begins with, “bright part of story above”, may be slightly darker part due to several instances of stigma creating situations that I was exposed to faced. I too faced many occasions like many others having certain disorder, but good part and brighter side of the story is that I never affected by all such nonsense situations wherein I faced some discouraging comments.

      Whatever I wanted to be or aspired to be, my parents never came in between. I did get brilliant ambience and therefore, I could get opportunity in studying my bachelors in Computer Engineering from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology Delhi. Later, I received dual MBA degree in Marketing and Finance from Faculty of Management Studies Delhi. Now, started working like any other responsible graduate, as Strategy Manager in Cadbury India but unfortunately that was not my destiny. I too served as marketing intern in Coca-Cola in addition to teaching Spanish for one year.

    True journey begins now for which I mainly used to see dream and I aspire for, is none other than preparation for UPSC (Union Public Service) examination which is considered as one of the toughest and most difficult examinations in India. By blessings of God and my continuous encouragement of my parents, I cleared the examination in very first attempt.

     I felt clearing the examination much easier in comparison with what I faced later once it comes to posting. I was not allowed for posting, stating my physical disability as a main criterion for ineligibility. The authorities told me that “inability to push, pull and lift; is the major hindrance that does not allow you for the posting”. It was the matter in 2010-2011 and the  I thought of not looking back and decided all my life I have fought and never defeated, so why not now. Then, a case was filed by me in 2012 in CAT (Central Administrative Tribunal) without letting me to look back and go down. Four years later, I could win the case and got posting as Assistant Commissioner in Indian Revenue Service (IRS) but probably that was also not my destiny. The cold war with oneself continues….I kept on appearing in IAS examinations in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.  In first three attempts, IRS was offered to me but in another attempt in 2014, I could get IAS position.

     I remember when I started fighting against my case in CAT; during those days I used to share and discuss the issues with many who were knowledgeable in such matters. One day, I got an email from my well-wisher and friend being disappointed himself, which says: “I hope our efforts would not work”; “I believe that the case is very difficult to win”; and “I now stop hoping for any wonders to happen someday”. .

   I stared at the email message on my computer, my mind racing so fast that the words blurred together and no longer made any sense. Just three lines, but enough to make my life--the life I had worked so hard and sacrificed so much to build--begin to crumble around me.

   The above email that I received in year 2013, transformed my life and made be rock like strong mentally. I decided that “winning the case is not difficult for me that I am going to win” but more important is to do more because “ye dil mange more (my eternal heart say that this is not enough for you)”, and so I became more focused and dedicated in all my efforts. Finally, in my yet another attempt I could score highest marks in UPSC examination in 2014-2015. I, then started realizing that this is my brilliant spirit and morale; continuous motivation of my parents; humble support of my friends; honest efforts that were put in; and of course blessings of almighty; work in realizing one’s dream true. I witnessed that: oh, this is actually my destiny; but again I was reminded about my goal in life which says that: “Hey, new era and brave girl, this is the beginning of your destiny; this would help you in achieving your goals because I know that what my goal in life is. That is nothing but unconditional and non-stop & non-formidable service to common people.

    Therefore, I have chosen the title of my small story as “setback that set me back to my destiny”. I believe that the setback could make stronger and committed in my efforts that helped me where I am now. I, like other successful IAS guys, do get several speaking opportunities, because people and organizations invite to deliver a motivational lecture but I do not take these as invited speeches, rather opportunities for me in helping others overcoming the stigma that we unnecessarily suffer. Swami Vivekananda’s thought: faith; faith and faith in yourself is a secret of success, reminds me that I am required to keep lot of faith in me and my sincere efforts and keep doing small things in great manner; help others in realizing their dreams.

      I do call upon all parents that disability, that too physical disability is not at all to be taken as excuse. It    does not have any space for getting demotivated. Rather, it gives better opportunity the way I have learned the things and system more than anybody else due to challenging circumstances that I came across. Whenever I got to meet few occasions where people used to stare at me; I did not shy away replying them with smile in my face. This is the people who are wrong staring me; but not me therefore why to get offended; and rather I preferred to respond with gentle smile; that usually made them ashamed in several cases.

      I believe why to pity on oneself if one is not at all wrong and hence I never pitied on me. I call upon all such persons with disability to face the challenges; and not to run away from the circumstances. This goes without saying that strong will power; honest effort; courageous endeavors; continuous & consistent studies; focused preparation; committed to dream; faith in self; faith and respect for all;…these are few of my mantras that paid me off in realizing my dream come true.

     New era does not begin with a single person but actually begins if all such people, especially girls start seeing big dreams; and start realizing their dream keeping in mind about the mantras that I used in my life.  I do not claim that I am role model for all young minds but I only submit that my name represents a BIG HOPE that could pave the way for hundreds of especially abled persons in achieving the success in their life.

       I do not say the moral of story lies in me but I would like to sum up this small story about my challenging journey as path-breaking; honest and courageous path that takes to your destiny where anyone can serve the society with strong will power and administrative power also. Take the setbacks in your life as stepping stones to get-set back to the destiny dreamed of.