Sreedhanya, first person from Kerala's indigenous tribes to clear UPSC
The Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) declared the results of Civil Services Examinations 2018 on April 5. Sreedhanya Suresh from Kerala's Wayanad has bagged the 410th rank, becoming the first person from the state's indigenous tribal groups to clear the prestigious exam. Meanwhile, IIT-Bombay alumnus, Kanishak Kataria, from Jaipur, Rajasthan bagged AIR 1 and topped the exam in his first attempt. Here's more.
Sreedhanya a bit disappointed, expected better rank
22-year-old Sreedhanya, the daughter of daily wage laborers, however, expected a better rank in the exam. While talking to NDTV, she said, "I am excited, but a bit disappointed. I expected to do even better." "My biggest challenge was my financial constraints. My parents are daily wagers and their only source of income was Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme," she added.
22-year-old owes success to government schemes, academy in Thiruvananthapuram
Moreover, Sreedhanya believes that government schemes have played an important role in her success. "The backbone of my success has been the Fortune IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram," Sreedhanya told NDTV. She completed her graduation in Zoology from St. Joseph's College in Kozhikode and then her postgraduation in Applied Zoology from the University of Calicut.
Sreedhanya got inspired after meeting previous sub-collector of Wayanad
Sreedhanya said, "I wanted to join the services after I met the previous sub-collector of Wayanad, Samba Siva Rao. I was working on a project under him. There are other IAS who helped in my journey with funding me, helping in interviews and preparations."
Kerala CM congratulated Sreedhanya, says she fought backwardness
Congress President also congratulated Sreedhanya via Twitter post
29 Keralites among the 759 candidates who cleared UPSC
Sreedhanya's parents also expressed their happiness and said, "Our happiness is sky high... We stretched to the maximum to ensure that she studies well. We ensured that nothing becomes a barrier for her studies and now her hard work has been rewarded." A total of 29 candidates cleared UPSC from Kerala out of the country's total of 759, including 577 men and 182 women.
