In a remarkable feat, the daughter of a cleaning contractor from the Balh Valley in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has made headlines by clearing the prestigious Civil Service Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
She is none other than IAS Taruna Kamal. She has not only cleared the UPSC but has done it in her very first attempt with an impressive AIR-203.
Taruna's achievement has not elevated the stature of her hometown, but it has now become a matter of pride for her state.
Taruna's journey from being the daughter of a cleaning contractor to a civil servant is a beacon of hope for all the aspirants. Taruna’s father Anil Kamal is a cleaning contractor in the Nerchowk Municipal Council, whereas her mother Norma Devi is a housewife.
According to India Today, Taruna has received her early education at Modern Public School in Ratti. She later went on to pursue her veterinary studies before embarking on her UPSC preparation journey.
Taruna’s parents are proud of her achievements. She was preparing for the UPSC along with her veterinary studies and this came as a hindrance. However, support from her parents and friends helped Taruna to achieve her goals.
“It is important for girls to take the initiative to fulfill their dreams. While I was studying to become a veterinary doctor, I decided to do something big and started preparations for the UPSC exam. Hard work is the only key to achieving success. One cannot be successful through shortcuts,” Taruna said.