Namaste! Today, you see me as a successful person, a package of achievements, having cleared all the top prestigious exams and interviews of India. But my friends, let me share not just my successes, but also my rejections, my failures, and the determination and willpower that led to those successes.
My story starts from a small, sleepy village in Madhya Pradesh, with a population of barely a thousand people. In the rainy month of August, a small girl was born into an orthodox Brahmin family - a giant joint family with over 30 members. It wasn't an event for them; nothing worth celebrating happened the day I was born. Only two souls on Earth were happy – my parents. For the rest, it was a normal affair.
Twenty-five years later, the same girl, from the same village, was welcomed with garlands and slogans like, "What should a girl look like? Like Surabhi Gautam! Why not?" How did things change so dramatically? Let me tell you how not just my life but my parents' perspectives changed slowly and steadily.
Growing up in a joint family meant no child got special attention. We were all treated equally. Life was OK, we were happy. I got admission to my village school, a Hindi-medium, Madhya Pradesh Board School. In the 5th class, something significant happened that I remember to this day.
I scored 100 out of 100 in my mathematics paper. 5th class was a board class, so my teacher called me and said, "I've never seen anyone score full marks in mathematics in a board exam. You've done it, so I think you're going to do something good in your studies." That day, I felt appreciated and recognized, and I sent a clear message to the Universe that I was going to be a studious girl because recognition and appreciation would come with studies. In my family, I wouldn't get it otherwise. So, I focused more on my studies.
However, my heart wanted to diversify. I tried my hand at painting, sketching, drawing, and embroidery. I was involved with my village priest in all the pujas and Ramayan events, and I didn't notice the pain creeping into my body. My joints started hurting, and soon, I was bedridden. My parents, with their meager resources, took me to Jabalpur, where the doctor diagnosed me with rheumatic fever. This disease can attack children's bodies, causing pain and potentially serious heart problems, even death.
The treatment required penicillin injections every 15 days. Penicillin solidifies upon contact with air, making the injections risky, even fatal if not administered properly. In our village, finding a skilled doctor every 15 days was a challenge. Life continued with its ups and downs. We had no electricity, so I studied by kerosene lamp. There were no tuitions, and the school situation was poor. Then came another turning point in my life – my 10th class results.
I scored 100 out of 100 in both mathematics and science, and my percentage was high enough to place me on the state merit list. I became a pseudo-celebrity in my village, and the newspaper interviewed me, asking, "What do you want to become when you grow up?" I had no idea what a career was. I enjoyed dancing, singing, and painting, but career? Out of nowhere, I said, "I want to be a collector." The next day, the news headline read, "Surabhi wants to become a collector." This news changed everything. People brought sweets to my parents, saying, "Your girl will achieve something great."
I moved on to 11th grade, taking mathematics, and forgot about becoming a collector. I wanted to correct the wrongs in my village – no electricity, no proper hospital. Whether through becoming a collector or not, I wasn't sure. After 12th grade, I received the APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship for securing the highest marks in the science stream and moved to Bhopal to study engineering.
This decision was significant as I was the first girl from my village to go out and study. It wasn't just me studying; it was the whole village's hopes resting on me. If I didn't succeed, the doors for other girls would close. My first day of college was a disaster. I didn't know what titration was in the chemistry lab, and I broke a test tube. In the engineering physics class, I struggled to introduce myself in English, and when asked a basic physics question, I couldn't answer due to my lack of English proficiency, not knowledge of physics.
I called my parents, wanting to quit. They reminded me of my potential, like Jambavan reminded Hanuman of his powers. I decided to fight and become fluent in English by the end of the semester. I studied tirelessly, pasting spellings on my walls, and soon, even my dreams were in English. By the end of the semester, I topped my college and the university, earning the Chancellor's scholarship.
With newfound confidence, I wrote and qualified for multiple exams: GATE, ISRO, BARC, SAIL, and PPSC. I also took the IES exam and qualified with an All India Rank of 1, making history as the first woman to top the Engineering Services Exam.
I joined Indian Railways but felt unfulfilled. My mother reminded me of my childhood ambition to do something for my village. Inspired, I prepared for the civil service examination while working. Despite the challenges, I persevered and secured an All India Rank of 50 in the Civil Services Examination 2016.
My journey taught me that there is no substitute for hard work and no shortcut to success. My determination and the support of my parents were crucial. I believe in the power of persistence and the promise to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
Prerequisite Skills and Knowledge Check:
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Basic Physics Concepts:
- Familiarity with concepts like potential, titration, and basic lab equipment.
- How comfortable are you with high school level physics?
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English Language Proficiency:
- Ability to understand and communicate in English.
- How would you rate your English language skills, particularly in academic contexts?
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Mathematics Proficiency:
- Understanding of mathematics up to the high school level, including algebra and geometry.
- How confident are you in solving high school level math problems?
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General Knowledge and Current Affairs:
- Awareness of general knowledge topics and current affairs, especially related to India.
- How often do you engage with news and current events?
