Meet 26-YO S Malliga, The Tea Grower’s Daughter Who Cracked UPSC Examination

Success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from your failure. And, 26-year-old S Malliga, daughter of K Sundaran, tea small grower, and R Chithradevi, a retired health nurse, is living proof of that. Hailing from a tiny hamlet called Kaggula in Tamil Nadu, Malliga made it to the UPSC this year after 3 failed attempts, reports the New Indian Express.

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So, how did it all start? “Right from childhood, my ambition has been to become an IAS officer and use that position to help the needy, and now, it has become a reality that I could be in any of the civil services of the country,” Malliga was quoted saying. She added, “My parents always motivated me to pursue a good education. I became B-Tech graduate in Bio-Technology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore.”

Malliga recalled how unconditional support from her family and friends helped her succeed,

“Immediately after that, I stayed in Chennai to get trained in UPSC exams.  As it happened, I failed in three attempts but my parents and fellow aspirants of UPSC continued to encourage me to hone up my skills of taking the exam which has resulted in my obtaining 621st rank in the country in the UPSC exam now.”

Former Vice-Chairman of Tea Board (Union Commerce Ministry) M Bhojarajan praised her saying, “This is significant considering that she hails from an ordinary tea grower family in a remote village – a relatively rare achievement.” People from the Nilgiris-centric Baduga community, to which she belongs, also applauded her success. Speaking about her vision as a future officer Malliga said,

“As a woman civil officer, I will work for inclusive development in society to empower women and make them leaders and decision-makers for better placement of women in Government and business sectors.” 

She added, “Inspired by my mother’s independent attitude, I will work for building up self-confidence in women to minimize the gender atrocity towards them.”

Kudos to Malliga’s perseverance in achieving her dreams. We wish her good luck and success in her future.

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