The road to civil services is never easy; and from the strife-torn Kashmir, it seems tougher. But not for the determined Ms. Bisma Qazi. Hailing from a small village in Jammu & Kashmir, she beat all odds stacked against her to become an IPS officer in the very first attempt!
Indian Masterminds presents her incredible story of success.
CROSSING HURDLES IN KASHMIR
The year was 2016 and Kashmir, `the heaven on Earth’, was experiencing particularly tough time of turmoil due to protests and violence in the Valley. Not the best of time to focus on studies, one may conclude. But then, what is life without glorious and logic-defying exceptions?
So, it was during those days of darkness and despondency that a girl from Kashmir, Bisma Qazi, crossed every possible hurdle in her way, cracked the UPSC and became an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The 2017-batch IPS officer of AGMUT cadre, she is currently posted as ACP in Delhi Police.
But there is much more to Ms Qazi.
An Engineer
Ms. Qazi comes from a very humble family based in Ramgarh, J&K. Her father runs a shop and her mother is a housewife. Despite having a limited income, her family gave priority to education. With their support & motivation Ms. Qazi completed her schooling from a girl’s school. She was good in her studies from early days. After completing the intermediate with good numbers, she enrolled herself in engineering with electronics & communication. Ms. Qazi was a felicitated with a gold medal in graduation by the Kashmir University.
A PAINTER
Apart from engineering and police services, she also has a keen interest in paintings. In an interview with media she said, “I love to paint in my free time. It helps me to connect with nature and keeps me calm. I have always believed that art is one of the strongest ways to convey your thoughts and be sensitive to the society”.
WHEN FAMILY JEWELLERY WAS SOLD
Ms. Qazi has two younger siblings. When she and her younger sister were enrolled in an engineering college, the family was facing economic crisis. It was very difficult for them to afford the fees but still they didn’t give up. “My parents were always there for us. For our engineering course my mother didn’t think twice and sold her jewellery to arrange our fees. My parents even comprised on food and other necessities to support our education. They have made a great sacrifice for us, and as an officer I always want to make them proud”, she said.
FULFILLED MOTHER’S WISH
Ms. Qazi said that her mother always wanted her to be an IAS officer. To fulfil her dream, Ms. Qazi started to prepare for UPSC in 2015. She took coaching for a while in New Delhi and then came back to her home in Kashmir. There she studied by her own and secured 115 rank in her first attempt in 2017. “Wearing the Khakee was more thrilling than cracking the exam. It gives me sense of power and responsibility. I just hope to keep up the good work and make everyone happy”, she told the media.
It goes without saying that Ms Qazi has become a big inspiring force for hundreds of Kashmiris to join the civil services!
