Visually impaired Madurai woman cracks UPSC exam

Purana Sunthari’s story of beating all odds to crack the tough exam makes for an exceptionally inspiring story. The visually impaired 25-year-old from Madurai has secured a rank of 286 in her fourth attempt.

Madurai: A visually impaired 25-year-old from Tamil Nadu has cracked the notoriously difficult Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination and secured 286th All India Rank in a feat that has drawn praise from many. Her story of breaking all odds to crack the tough exam makes for an exceptionally inspiring story.

Purana Sunthari completed her B.A. in English literature from Fatima College in 2015. She currently works as a clerk in Tamil Nadu Grama Bank. She has been continuously appearing for the CSE since 2016.

Visually impaired Madurai woman cracks UPSC exam, secures 286th AIR

Sunthari has won tremendous praise from people on Twitter and her story has also been shared by former cricketer Mohammad Kaif.

In her first attempt, she did not clear the preliminaries, which she subsequently managed to in her second and third attempts, but failed to get through the interview. In February 2019 she cracked the interview in her fourth attempt and she bagged the 286th rank.

She said, "I've been visually impaired since the age of Five. I reached this much height with my parents' support and care. Also, my school teachers, College teachers, and friends helped us a lot. The motivation I got from them is the reason why I believed in myself and also achieved it. The principal and professors of Madurai Fathima College, where I studied, invited me and honoured me."

She further said, "I want to recall that I came first in my school 10th standard because of my self-confidence and continuous efforts. I want to mention each of my teachers who helped me to achieve this. My family friend Nagarjuna is the biggest backbone of my success. He always used to encourage me"

When asked about her next goal, she answered, "I want to make sure that the central government schemes will reach to every marginalised person. I want to improve their life."

Sundari's Teacher Shanthi said, "Sundari is very intelligent. Our school management gives special attention to those kinds of students. Sundari got such kind of special attention. We are really proud of her"

Another teacher Jayanthi said, "Besides academics, she excelled in Oratory, Singing, speech competition. Once she entered the competition, she won't return until she bagged the price."

Sundari's father Murugesan said, "She faced a lot of obstacles. I used to sit and read out the books to her and clear her doubts. Right from the school to college."

Sundari' Mother Aavudaidevi, "I always accompanied her when she went to write the exams in Bengaluru. She got a price for all of her struggle"

Sundari enthusiastically says Poorani Sundari IAS is my laptop password. She continued, "I created that password when I was studying in 12th standard."