Alappuzha (Kerala) | She was forced to write all the major examinations in her life with the left hand as fate claimed her right hand at a younger age. Parvathy Gopakumar, hailing from Kerala's Ambalapuzha, secured 282nd rank in the civil services examinations 2023 for which the results were announced by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday.
Despite her right hand having been amputated below the elbow following a fatal accident at the age of 12, Gopakumar has been aspiring to become an IAS officer, fighting all challenges and odes in life.
After graduation in law, she has been preparing tirelessly to realise her dream.
Gopakumar said that though the journey had been tough, she is feeling happy now that she has finally managed to reach her goal. Her parents are government staff.
As an artificial limb was stitched in the place of the right hand after the accident, Gopakumar, started practicing writing with her left hand.
"As it was a younger age, I could manage to start writing with my left hand gradually. I myself wrote all the exams during my study days. But I still doubt whether I have the same speed others have," she told the media.
During civil service exams, she got a mandatory 20 minutes of extra time per hour.
"But it was physically more tiring when we wrote all these exams back-to-back...compared to others, I had to write more hours," she recalled.
When asked whether she was confident about getting IAS post, the civil services exam achiever said she would prepare and write again till she achieved her dream career.
Kozhikode (Kerala), | Surpassing the challenges posed by cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder that affects movement, muscle tone and posture, Sarika A K, hailing from this north Kerala district, has cleared the civil services exam.
Sarika, who is unable to use her right hand and uses her left to control the motorised wheel-chair she moves around in, cleared the exam in her second attempt and secured a rank of 922, according to the results announced by the Union Public Service Commission on Tuesday.
She said she was initially shocked by the result.
"I had hoped to clear it. I am happy that I have. I do not have the words to express my joy," she said.
Sarika said that she decided to opt for the civil services only after graduating and was able to achieve the feat of clearing it thanks to the support of her family, friends and teachers.
"My parents were my biggest support," she told a TV channel.
When asked what message she has for others suffering from disabilities, Sarika quoted a famous line from the book "Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho -- 'when you really want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it'.
She also referred to a US-based woman -- Jessica Cox -- who became a licensed pilot despite not having any arms as that is what she dreamed of becoming.
Sarika also gave details of the various stages of the civil service she cleared and the difficulties she faced each time. "All were tough stages," she said.
The preliminary exam centre was in Kozhikode and was disabled friendly, she said.
"Therefore, it was accessible," she said.
However, the main examination was held in Thiruvananthapuram and as it was a week long process, she and her parents had to live there on rent and travel to the examination centre by auto.
"My father, who works in Qatar, came back for that," she said.
As it was a written exam and due to her disability, she had to use the help of a scribe.
After she cleared the main examination, the interview was held in Delhi where she stayed at the Kerala House.
"There the issue was the cold. It was winter in Delhi," she said.
But, the interview went smoothly and the five-member panel was very cordial, she added.
"The interview was fully based on my Detailed Application Form (DAF). They asked about me, my graduation subject and Kozhikode. There were very few questions about current affairs," she said.