Delhi’s visually handicapped teacher, who has cracked civil services, now finds meaning in educating others

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<strong>Having achieved a major milestone of clearing the Indian Civil Services examinations 2021 and securing 48th rank, Ayushi, resident of Delhi’s Rani Khera, is enjoying her hard fought success. Yet, she remains focused on her next target once she completes her training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.</strong></p>
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In an exclusive chat with India Narrative, Ayushi said: “I don’t see Indian Administrative Service as a privilege and entitlement. Rather it is a means an opportunity to serve the country and its people. We are civil servants and not masters!”.</p>
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Besides having a clear vision of her aims, Ayushi has her priorities chalked out. The idealistic young lady wants to work in the field of education. “Education is the key for solving all problems. Knowledge is the tool for empowerment and transformation of all sections ensuring inclusivity, removing social, economic and political disparities and barriers, and making life better. Educated people are aware of their rights and responsibilities, they can stand up for them and need no crutches.”</p>
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The young achiever made it clear that her primary concern is not just women and specially-abled but everyone who suffers a disadvantage. “I will want everyone to become literate including transgender people. The light of education dispels ignorance, removes stigma and superstitions in society.”</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/Ayushi8.jpg" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></p>
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Education is hardly a surprising tool for Ayushi considering that she is passionate about teaching and started her career as a primary school teacher going on to teach history to Classes XI and XII in Government school after clearing the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board examination in 2019. Interestingly, while working, she went on to complete her graduation from Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, Delhi University, B.Ed and post-graduation in history from the Indira Gandhi National Open University.</p>
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When asked how she managed earning and education, she promptly replied. “It is time-management and deciding what one’s priorities and preferences are. I did hang out with friends, go out to eat and watch films but not at the cost of my studies and teaching.” Refusing to term it as a sacrifice, she said “one will get enough time for these activities too.”</p>
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According to Ayushi, sacrifice is what her mother, father and family have done to ensure she studied and did not get bogged down with tackling life’s difficulties. “My mother took voluntary retirement as a senior nursing officer in 2020 to be with me 24 hours. All through my school, college and civil services preparation, she, my father, brother and friends, helped me by taping study material and books to enable me to listen and make notes.” Pausing for a second, she smiled and exclaimed, “My success is all teamwork!”</p>
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This spirit is what Ayushi wants among her colleagues while working. “Leading by example, I will make my actions speak rather than words to motivate others. Besides, by keeping in touch with all the stakeholders at the ground level I will know the pulse of people. If we are able to efficiently implement varied Government schemes, there will be tremendous improvement and empowerment of people and this is our job.”</p>
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It is precisely this wider canvas of serving people that egged Ayushi to keep trying for the Civil Services which she achieved on her fifth attempt. “Positive attitude, hard work and determination is what helps in sailing through adverse circumstances and that is what others need to do,” she told India Narrative.</p>
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Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam will remain an inspiration for generations to come.<br />
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Despite his humble beginnings, he achieved the pinnacle in various fields.<br />
He has shown us that by dreaming big & staying humble, one can develop “Wings of Fire” which will help us soar greater heights. <a href="https://t.co/NKyBO1t4Jq">pic.twitter.com/NKyBO1t4Jq</a></p>
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt/status/1316677247554646017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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With life being so hectic, Ayushi finds solace in reading English and Hindi literature and penning poems and arranging cultural activities and debating for school students. Among her favourite writers are former President APJ Abdul Kalam and Munshi Prem Chand. “Kalam sir’s life is worth emulating,” she said before signing off.</p>