Some people want a well-paying job in a good company to feel settled in life. But not everyone is motivated by that. Some people want a job where they can make a positive impact on others’ lives.

One inspiring story is about Anu Kumari, an IAS officer. She became the second-highest scorer in the UPSC exam in 2017, all while being a mother to a young child. Anu is from Sonipat, Haryana. She studied Physics at Delhi University and did an MBA in Finance and Marketing at IMT, Nagpur.

She used to work for a private company and earned a good salary. However, she felt unsatisfied and found the job too routine. So, she decided to quit and follow her dream of becoming an IAS officer. She moved to Gurgaon after getting married and started preparing for the UPSC exam. Despite facing discouragement from people around her, she remained focused on her goal.

For two years, Anu stayed away from her son while preparing for the UPSC exam. She felt disheartened when she failed in her first attempt but didn’t give up. In her second attempt, she secured the second position nationwide and achieved her dream of becoming an IAS officer in 2017.

Looking back on her journey, Anu said, “It feels like a dream come true. I used to study for 10-12 hours a day. I stayed in Sonipat at my aunt’s place for over a year, away from my child. Although it was tough, he was the reason I stayed motivated. It feels like a dream come true.“

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Currently, Anu works in Kerala as the Mission Director for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. She also has an additional responsibility as the Director of the Kerala State IT Mission.