In the coastal village of Kadli Road in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district, where the rhythm of life is set by the cycles of farming and the unpredictable tides of the sea, two sisters, Sushmitha and Ishwarya Ramanathan, grew up in a world shaped by hardship. Born to a farmer’s family, their childhood was marked by modest means, with agriculture as their sole source of livelihood. The sisters lived in a simple home, where resources were scarce and comforts were few. Yet, within this unassuming setting, their parents instilled a powerful belief: education was the key to transforming their future.
The year 2004 brought a catastrophe that would test this belief to its core. The Indian Ocean tsunami tore through Tamil Nadu’s coast, leaving devastation in its wake. The Ramanathan family’s home was reduced to rubble, swept away by the relentless waves. Countless families in their village faced similar losses, stripped of their homes and livelihoods. For Sushmitha and Ishwarya, the disaster was a defining moment—not because it broke them, but because it revealed their capacity to endure.
A SHARED DREAM AMID THE RUINS
The tsunami left the sisters and their family grappling with profound loss, but it also ignited a fierce determination. Education became their lifeline, a way to rebuild not just their home but their entire future. With limited resources, the sisters studied relentlessly, often under challenging conditions. Books were their escape, and their aspirations—to serve the nation as civil servants—became their guiding star.
Ishwarya, the younger sister, was the first to break through. In 2018, at the age of 21, she faced the formidable Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, one of the most gruelling tests in India. Her efforts bore fruit: she secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 628, earning a place in the Indian Railway Accounts Service. For many, this would have been the pinnacle of success. But Ishwarya had her sights set higher—she wanted to become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.
Undeterred by her already impressive achievement, Ishwarya retook the UPSC exam in 2019. Her focus and discipline paid off spectacularly. At just 22, she achieved an AIR of 44, securing her place as an IAS officer in the Tamil Nadu cadre. Today, she serves as the Additional Collector (Development) in Thoothukudi district, a role that places her at the heart of public service in her home state. Her journey from a tsunami-ravaged village to a position of leadership is a powerful reminder that ambition, paired with effort, can transcend even the most daunting obstacles.
SUSHMITHA’S RELENTLESS PURSUIT
Sushmitha’s path was different, marked by repeated challenges that tested her resolve. The UPSC exam, notorious for its complexity, became a formidable adversary. She attempted it five times, each effort ending in disappointment. Yet, Sushmitha refused to let failure define her. Each setback fuelled her determination to try again, driven by a dream that refused to fade: to serve as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.
In 2022, on her sixth attempt, Sushmitha’s persistence was rewarded. She cleared the UPSC exam with an AIR of 528, earning her place as an IPS officer in the Andhra Pradesh cadre. Now, as the Assistant Superintendent of Police (UT) in Kakinada district, she stands as a symbol of what it means to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds. Her journey, marked by years of effort and quiet determination, underscores the power of refusing to give up.
A LEGACY OF COURAGE
Today, Ishwarya and Sushmitha serve in roles that allow them to shape the lives of others. As an IAS officer, Ishwarya works to drive development in Thoothukudi, tackling issues that impact her community. As an IPS officer, Sushmitha upholds law and order in Kakinada, bringing her commitment to justice to the forefront. Their achievements extend beyond personal triumph—they are a source of inspiration for countless others, particularly young women from rural India, who see in them a reflection of what is possible.
