https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

From Child Bride to Bihar Government Officer

From child marriage proposal to Bihar government officer, Soumya Lata's journey defied social norms. Discover how her father's choice changed her fate forever.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a small village near Patna, Bihar, a young girl named Soumya Lata Kumari was forced to confront a marriage proposal at the tender age of 14. This proposal, an all-too-common occurrence in rural India, was met with insistence from family members who urged her parents to marry her off. They believed it was the right step, fearing that finding a suitable match would become harder as she grew older. Yet, her father stood firmly against the tide, determined to protect his daughter’s education over societal pressures.

Instead of yielding to the pressure, he told his family that Soumya Lata would continue her studies and set out to protect her future. In a bold move, he sold a small piece of their land, investing in his daughter’s education rather than her marriage. His stance allowed Soumya Lata to focus on her dream: she wanted to become a government officer and make her path in the world. Her father, despite limited means, was with her every step of the way.

A FATHER’S DREAMS AND A DAUGHTER’S DETERMINATION

Soumya Lata, the eldest of five siblings, showed promise in her studies from an early age. Her father, who ran a small grocery shop, saw a spark in her and nurtured it, envisioning a future where his daughter would stand as an example in their community. When she ranked 15th in her 10th-grade exams across Bihar, his confidence in her only grew. As she progressed in her studies, he pushed her forward, even enrolling her directly in 8th grade after she excelled in the 6th. For him, this path wasn’t just about education; it was a way to secure her future and empower her to be independent.

After completing her schooling, Soumya Lata pursued a BA Honors in Geography. Meanwhile, her father continued to support her ambitions, quietly saving and planning for the next step of her journey: the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams.

MEETING A MENTOR WHO CHANGED THE COURSE

While preparing for the BPSC exams, Soumya Lata met Guru Rahman, an educator known for helping students succeed in administrative services. Her father, with limited financial resources, confided in Rahman about their financial struggles and his determination to support his daughter’s education. Rahman, moved by Soumya Lata’s potential and her father’s resolve, offered to mentor her without placing financial burdens on them.

With his guidance, she started preparing rigorously. Rahman’s mentorship helped her stay focused, even as societal pressures persisted. The threat of marriage proposals resurfaced time and again, yet her father and mentor stood by her, reinforcing her dedication to her goals.

FIVE ATTEMPTS AND ENDLESS SETBACKS

Soumya Lata’s journey was far from smooth. Her first attempt at the BPSC exam came in 2017, shortly after her graduation. She successfully cleared the preliminary stage but was ineligible to proceed further due to her young age. Undeterred, she tried again in 2018, passing both the prelims and mains and even reaching the interview stage, only to find her name missing from the final list.

The following years brought more challenges. Each attempt saw her progressing through stages only to be disappointed by the outcome. By 2021, she had faced the BPSC exam five times, along with a failed attempt in the Bihar Police Sub-Inspector recruitment exam. Every setback tested her resolve, but with the constant support of her father and her mentor, she continued to push forward, unwilling to give up on her goal.

THE LONG-AWAITED VICTORY

After years of effort and countless hurdles, Soumya Lata’s perseverance finally bore fruit. She successfully cleared the BPSC exam and was appointed as a Block Panchayati Raj Officer in the Bihar government. She was assigned to the Mohanpur block in Samastipur district, fulfilling her father’s long-held dream and achieving a significant milestone in her own life.

Her journey, marked by years of sacrifice and persistence, is a story of ambition nurtured in the face of social constraints. Today, Soumya Lata’s success can be credited to the impact of family support and mentorship in shaping an individual’s future. Her father’s vision and sacrifices have not only enabled her to realize her potential but also inspired many in their community.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.07
Govardhan Puja: CM Mohan Yadav Performs Puja at Tilkeshwar Temple, Reiterates Commitment to Farmers & Cow Welfare
Pushkar Singh Dhami Cow
Govardhan Puja in Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Highlights Cow Conservation as Key to Culture and Self-Reliance
Gujarat News
From Temple to Policy: Gujarat CM’s New Year Message Blends Tradition with Self-Reliant Growth
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Lights Up with Development: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Celebrates Diwali at Gurudham, Announces Rs. 1.58 Crore Revamp Plan
Lucknow parks development
Lucknow’s Green Makeover: LDA to Revamp 50 Parks with Rs. 150 Crore Urban Eco-Development Plan
Yogi Adityanath Ayodhya visit in Diwali
Yogi Government’s Bold Move: Satellite 'Invest UP' Offices in 5 Metro Cities to Boost National & Global Investments in Uttar Pradesh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT