In the historic town of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, where the echoes of a regal past blend with the bustling present, Deepesh Kumari’s story is one that speaks volumes about determination and the triumph of the human spirit over circumstance.
Deepesh, daughter of Govind Prasad, a man who, for a quarter of a century, navigated the streets with a cart laden with bhajiya and pakodas, rose to the esteemed rank of an IAS officer. Govind Prasad, despite his financial constraints, had an unshakeable belief in the power of education. His humble chaat stall was the family’s lifeline, providing not just sustenance but the means for his children to dream beyond the streets of Bharatpur.
The family of seven, huddled in a modest dwelling, witnessed the fruits of Govind Prasad’s laborious days under the sun. Deepesh, the eldest sibling, emerged as a beacon of inspiration for her brothers and sisters. Her academic journey was nothing short of stellar. At Shishu Adarsh Vidya Mandir, she passed the matriculation examination with a remarkable 98%. The trend of excellence continued, with her securing 89% in her intermediate exams.
Deepesh’s intellectual journey took her to the halls of MBM Engineering College, Jodhpur, where she pursued civil engineering. But her aspirations did not halt at technical prowess. The halls of IIT Mumbai beckoned, and she answered by completing her MTech, further honing her expertise. A brief stint in the private sector followed, but the call to serve her country was overpowering.
Preparing for the UPSC exams was no small feat. It required a reservoir of willpower and resilience. In her first attempt, the winds of fortune did not blow in her favor. Undeterred, Deepesh revisited her strategy, her studies, her commitment. In 2021, the tides turned. Her efforts culminated in securing the All India Rank of 93 in the UPSC exam, a testament to her indomitable spirit.
Deepesh’s narrative is not just a personal success story; it’s a chronicle of a daughter elevating her family’s status through sheer grit and hard work. It’s a narrative that echoes in the lanes where her father once sold chaat, inspiring every child who sees her as a role model. It’s proof that one’s beginnings do not determine their ends, and that education is indeed the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world.
Today, as an IAS officer, Deepesh Kumari serves her country with the same fervor that saw her through years of academic and professional rigor. Her journey from the daughter of a papdi chaat vendor to an administrative trailblazer embodies the very essence of what it means to be an empowered Indian woman, rewriting her destiny and, in doing so, paving the way for others to follow.