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
ACC_Appointments Committee of Cabinet
ACC Clears Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle: 14 IAS Officers Get New Secretary Roles; Alka Upadhyaya Appointed NCM Secretary
GRSE MoU
GRSE Strengthens MSME Linkages Through MoU for Ship and Submarine Component Supply - Know More
GAIL RJ-ONHP
GAIL Commences First Exploratory Well Drilling in Rajasthan’s Barmer Block Under OALP-VII - All Details Inside
jkahja
Who Is IPS Rahul Lodha, the Officer Who Tracked Missing Civil Judge Aspirant Archana Tiwari & Solved Her Disappearance Mystery?
SAIL resized
SAIL Dividend 2025: PSU Declares September 9 as Record Date for Final Dividend of FY 2024-25
India Russia S400
Moscow Seeks Role in India’s Sudarshan Chakra Defence Project, Strengthening Strategic and Energy Ties - Know More
IRCON resized
Railway PSU IRCON Receives LOA worth Rs 510 Cr for Eight Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Meghalaya - Details Inside
SJVN Ltd
SJVN Achieves Milestone as 660 MW Unit of Buxar Thermal Power Project Joins National Grid - Know More
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
FEMINA
Women Warriors on the Cover: Femina India Celebrates Army’s Finest in August 2025 Special - Watch the Cover Shoot Inside
Femina India’s August 2025 cover pays tribute to ten Indian Army women officers, showcasing courage,...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
ACC_Appointments Committee of Cabinet
ACC Clears Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle: 14 IAS Officers Get New Secretary Roles; Alka Upadhyaya Appointed NCM Secretary
what-is-agentic-ai-use-cases
Agentic AI: Our New Partner for a Smarter Life
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT