Sometimes success can bring bitter memories back that might force you to go back in time to relive them. That’s what has happened for Aruna Mahalingappa, who secured 308th rank in UPSC CSE 2021. Ever since her name figured on the coveted list, the hurtful memories of her father’s ultimate sacrifice for her future have started disturbing her afresh.
Indian Masterminds brings you her life story today, a poignant story of a father’s love, sacrifice and a daughter’s fight to not let that sacrifice go in vain.
FATHER COMMITTED SUICIDE DUE TO DEBT
Aruna failed in UPSC CSE five times but didn’t give up and finally cracked it in her sixth attempt with AIR 308 this year.
She is the third among five siblings. Her family’s economic condition was not that good, but her father wanted all his children to be independent and so provide them with good education. For this, he had to take loans but couldn’t pay them off. This led to his suicide.
Aruna was doing her engineering when her debt-ridden father committed suicide. After this unfortunate incident, her sisters started to work and took care of the family.
The death of her father pushed Aruna towards pursuing a career in Civil Services because he wanted them to sit in this prestigious exam.
During a media interaction, she said, “I had no intention to clear the UPSC exams. I just wanted to become an independent woman who could earn Rs 10,000 to 15,000. My father took it as a challenge to make us independent. After his death, I felt like giving back to society. I wanted to find his lost smile by serving farmers of my country.”
DIDN’T AVAIL QUOTA
Aruna comes from a poor background and qualifies for reservation quota. However, she chose to give her attempts in general category and not avail the leverage. Even after failing five times, she didn’t try to avail quota for making her journey a little easier.
After failing for the fifth time, she was disappointed and thought that she might not clear the exam at all, but she was determined to help children of families like hers. So, for that reason, she opened a coaching centre in Bangalore, calling it Aruna Coaching Academy.
Talking about it, she says, “I had no hopes of clearing the UPSC examination. I gave five attempts but couldn’t clear it. So, I started my own academy where my focus was to help rural aspirants. Finally, I cleared in my sixth attempt.”
WANTS TO SERVE FARMERS
She is determined to serve the farmers of our country and wants to prevent the suicides cases. She says that the service doesn’t matter, she will work for the betterment of farmers in whatever service she is assigned. She also cites the reason she did not take reservation. “My father’s dream has come true now, but my wish to serve my country’s farmers and not let them attempt suicide will start now. My family had made me an independent woman by providing education, so I wanted to pave the way for other farmer’s kids, who are more backward than me, to take advantage of the reservation.”
