After six heart-wrenching failures in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Kajal Srivastava was ready to give up on her dreams and, almost, her life. As the reality of her final failed attempt in 2020 sank in, she found herself standing on the edge – both figuratively and literally. “I wanted to jump off the balcony not because I had failed again, but because I was too tired to prove myself,” Kajal told Indian Masterminds.
It was her sister’s comforting hug and words that saved her that day. “She told me I wasn’t a failure, that if I couldn’t serve the country as an IPS officer, another big opportunity was waiting for me,” she shared. Little did Kajal know that her new path was about to open up, rooted not in government service but in ancient wisdom and sustainable living. Today, she is not only a dedicated Kalaripayattu practitioner and teacher but also the founder of Swadeshi Sportswear, a brand that champions eco-friendly activewear.
THE ROUGH ROAD OFUPSC
A graduate of Hansraj College in Delhi, Kajal’s UPSC journey began with high hopes. She moved to the heart of Delhi’s UPSC preparation hub, Rajendra Nagar, and started her rigorous schedule. Her daily routine included hours of classes and self-study, cramped into a tiny room with little ventilation, battling bed bugs and exhaustion. “I was paying Rs 14,000 for a tiny, claustrophobic room,” she says. “I couldn’t ask my parents for more; I had already spent Rs 2 lakh on coaching fees.”
Years passed, but success remained elusive. With each failed attempt, Kajal’s anxiety and self-doubt grew. The strain began to take a toll on her health. “I was surviving on a bare minimum lifestyle, sometimes even skipping meals. If I met a friend or slept extra, I felt guilty. I started remaining anxious and became obese,” she says. The struggle was compounded by health issues like thyroid and PCOS, which sapped her energy further.
In 2016, just a day before her UPSC prelims, a severe bout of appendicitis hit her. Against the doctor’s advice, she tried to make it to the exam center but fainted from the pain and ended up in surgery. “My entire year was wasted. And I had no Plan B. I continued to study all day and night,” she remembers.
Despite her relentless efforts, 2020 marked her final failed attempt. Six years of struggle had ended in heartbreak.
KALARIPAYATTU : A NEW LEASE ON LIFE
In the darkest moment of her life, Kajal discovered the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu. As a child, she was fascinated by the art of ‘lathbaaji’. Later, a yoga practitioner mentioned Kalaripayattu to her, sparking a new interest. She joined a gurukul (residential training center) of Shinto Mathew in 2017 while still preparing for the UPSC. Practicing the martial art became her solace.
“Whenever I practiced Kalaripayattu, I felt composed and calm. It was healing the broken me. It was miraculous,” Kajal reflects. The rigorous physical postures and movements not only helped her recover from health issues but also empowered her mentally. With her guru, Shinto Mathew, guiding her, Kajal found purpose again. “For the first time, someone showed trust in me and told me that I could do better,” she says.
Kajal has since become an assistant teacher at her gurukulam, and her TAVASI movement has helped over 2,000 people find peace and strength through Kalaripayattu workshops.
REDEFINING ACTIVEWEAR
In 2022, another challenge arose. Continuous practice and training required her to stay in activewear all day, and she developed severe rashes due to the synthetic fabric and chemicals in regular sportswear. “The dermatologist told me it was due to the toxic chemicals used in the fabric,” Kajal says. This revelation pushed her to explore the harmful effects of synthetic fabrics on both health and the environment.
Unable to find a sustainable alternative, Kajal decided to create her own. She founded Swadeshi Sportswear, focusing on breathable, eco-friendly fabrics such as cotton, ikkat, and kalamkari. “Swadeshi Sportswear is the first of its kind to offer activewear made from Indian handloom fabrics,” she explains. Today, her brand not only promotes sustainability but also supports local artisans across India.
Without any marketing, Kajal has already sold over 2,000 pieces, all driven by word-of-mouth.
FROM FAILURE TO FULFILLMENT
Kajal Srivastava’s journey from a disillusioned UPSC aspirant to a Kalaripayattu master and entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. What began as a pursuit to serve the country as an IPS officer has transformed into a life devoted to empowering others and promoting sustainable fashion. Reflecting on her past, Kajal says, “Sometimes, the roadblocks we face are just redirections to something greater. I may have failed in UPSC, but I found a purpose that’s changing lives, including my own.”
