How "SHE" became an IAS officer | Surabhi Gautam | TEDxRGPV

Summary

Zsuzsa Viola's inspiring TED Talk narrates her journey from a small village in Madhya Pradesh to becoming a top achiever in India's prestigious exams. Despite early struggles with health and education, her determination led her to excel academically and professionally. Viola's story underscores the power of perseverance, as she overcame language barriers and societal expectations to become a nuclear scientist and later, a civil servant, proving that hard work and resilience are the keys to success.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of failure and rejection, rather than just focusing on success.
• 🏘️ Born in a small village, the speaker's initial life was unremarkable, but her later achievements brought her recognition and respect from her community.
• 🎓 A pivotal moment in the speaker's academic life was scoring full marks in mathematics during a board exam, which instilled a belief in her academic potential.
• 🎨 Despite her academic focus, the speaker had a diverse range of interests, including painting, sketching, and participating in cultural events.
• 🤒 The speaker faced a serious health challenge with rheumatic fever, which required consistent medical treatment and affected her daily life.
• 🏆 Achieving top marks in her 10th standard exams led to local fame and a pivotal moment where she declared her aspiration to become a 'collector', influencing her future path.
• 📚 The speaker's educational journey was marked by significant achievements, including topping her college and university, and winning scholarships.
• 🚀 After moving to the city for higher education, the speaker faced cultural and linguistic barriers but overcame them through dedication and hard work.
• 🔬 The speaker became a nuclear scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, showcasing her ability to excel in a highly competitive field.
• 🏛️ Despite achieving a secure and respected position, the speaker felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue the challenging Civil Services Examination.
• 🏆 With hard work and resilience, the speaker achieved All India Rank 50 in the Civil Services Examination, underscoring the value of hard work and the absence of shortcuts to success.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's early life in a small village in Madhya Pradesh?

The speaker's early life in a small village is significant as it sets the stage for her journey of overcoming challenges and achieving success against the odds, highlighting her determination and willpower.

What was the turning point in the speaker's academic life?

The turning point in the speaker's academic life was when she scored 100 out of 100 in her mathematics paper in the 5th class, which led to her teacher recognizing her potential and motivating her to focus more on studies.

How did the speaker's health condition impact her life?

The speaker was diagnosed with rheumatic fever, which caused her severe joint pain and even led to her being bedridden. This health condition was a significant challenge she had to overcome, and it required regular treatment with penicillin.

What role did the lack of resources and infrastructure play in the speaker's education?

The lack of resources and infrastructure, such as electricity and proper schooling, posed significant obstacles to the speaker's education. She had to study by kerosene lamp and faced difficulties in accessing quality education and tuition.

What was the impact of the speaker's 10th class result on her village and family?

The speaker's 10th class result, where she scored 100 out of 100 in both mathematics and science, brought her recognition and placed her on the state merit list. This achievement transformed her into a pseudo-celebrity in her village and changed the perspectives of her family and community towards her.

What was the speaker's initial career aspiration as reported in a newspaper interview?

In a newspaper interview, the speaker, not knowing what a career was, spontaneously said that she wanted to be a collector, which became a headline and influenced people's perceptions of her future.

How did the speaker's move to Bhopal for higher education represent a significant step for her village?

The speaker's move to Bhopal for higher education was significant as she was the first girl from her village to go out for studies. Her success or failure would impact the opportunities for other girls in the village.

What challenges did the speaker face when she first started college?

The speaker faced several challenges when she started college, including a lack of understanding of lab procedures, not knowing English well enough to communicate effectively, and feeling out of place among her peers.

How did the speaker overcome her initial struggles with English?

The speaker overcame her struggles with English by committing herself to learning the language. She covered her walls with vocabulary from her engineering books, constantly revising and immersing herself in the language until she became fluent.

What was the speaker's achievement in the Engineering Services Exam?

The speaker topped the Engineering Services Exam, becoming the first lady in India to achieve this feat, and her marks were the highest in the history of UPSC at that time.

What motivated the speaker to prepare for the Civil Services Examination despite already having a successful career?

The speaker was motivated to prepare for the Civil Services Examination by her desire to fulfill her promise to herself and to make a difference for her village and society, as she felt that her previous achievements were not the end goal.