Despite our Constitution that gives every citizen an equal rights, entitles each individual of country to equal rights of expression, speech, action and freedom; women are still differentiated with from men in the society?

Why are women not allowed to dream big and pursue their goals? Why are they still considered as a liability rather than a worthy asset for their own family and society? And why marriage is a compulsory act rather than a matter of choice or preference?

Sanju Rani Verma, a passionate and an ambitious girl from Meerut has challenged and overcome all the above obstacles that hindered her in the path of her success and life she wants to live. She had the courage to flee away from her own family back in 2013; which forced her to get married after the death of her mother. She was pursuing a post-graduation degree from Delhi University then and always wanted to pursue a career of excellence.

It was difficult for her to make the family understand the importance of ‘women empowerment’ and ‘career development’ because they didn’t believe in educating women. At that time, she found herself at a crossroad. But she chose the ‘path that was less travelled’. And with very little money in hand, she flew towards her dream.

The struggle was not easy because back in those days, she had to leave her post-graduation study due to inadequate financial support. She even had to rent a small apartment where she started taking private tuition classes and offered part-time teaching jobs in private institutions to earn money to sustain herself and her career. Along side-managing all of these, she continued with her preparations for PSC (Public Service Commission) exam.

And all of it paid off well when Verma cleared the UPPSC-2018 (Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission)
exam to become a commercial tax officer, the result of which was declared recently.

Her success is an answer to various social taboos and people who still underestimate women and restrict them to the household chores. However, Verma has her eyes fixed at a higher goal, to crack the civil services exam and become a divisional magistrate in future.

The 35-year-old still wishes to support her family financially and hopes that the ones who disrespected a daughter’s choice of leading a life by herself, would now respect her as she rises to become an officer. She truly is an example and inspiration to many who are a victim of social customs and are not able to fulfil their dreams or live a life of their own choice.

Breaking Career Stereotypes – Women IPS officers of India