With a toddler in lap and three years of marriage, Sheetal cracks IAS
On very few occasions has time witnessed a family in any mediocre society where a daughter-in-law has been allowed to embark upon the chariot of success and reach her
destination which she has earnestly desired.
And one among those destined daughter-in-laws is Sheetal Vivek Sharma, who qualified India’s prestigious civil service examination. Of course, this can happen in Jammu only.
Sheetal in a confident mood says “There is a saying which says Shoot for the moon, and even if you fail, you will land among the stars, so it is always important to keep high goals for ourselves in our personal and professional lives so that one can bring out the best possible in himself”
Having achieved 43rd rank among those who have qualified India’s highest service examination, Sheetal is the proud daughter-in-law of Chander shekhar Shrama and Chanchal Sharma. Her husband Vivek Sharma, a manager at Jammu and Kashmir Bank is her inspiration.
According to Sheetal, her husband instigated the spirit of competition in her and she says that it is that inspiration which has taken her to such great heights.
“It is my husband who motivated me to work with dedication and enlightened vision, and it is this stimulus which has helped me to accomplish this position.”
She says that being a mother and preparing for the civil services Examination never dampened her spirits. “I never felt that I was a mother so I could not carry on with my studies because standing along with me was always my husband who shared my responsibilities equally, and even at times he would snub me if ever I broke my timetable for studies,” said she.
“It is her determination and zeal that has helped her,” said Vivek in a very polite manner. He stated that it was the spark that he saw in her which provoked him to compel her to work hard and achieve success unimaginable for many. He further added that if the husband-wife relationship is based on mutual trust and faith, achievements like this could be accomplished easily.
Her father-in-law said that Sheetal always worked hard for whatever task was given to her. Her laborious and intelligent management never made us feel that she was our daughter-in-law. Instead, we always considered her our daughter and hence gave her all the help and support she needed from our side.
“I am her proud mother and even if she would not have succeeded she was my dearest child much dearer than my own children,” said her mother-in-law Chanchala Sharma, a retired lecturer.
Living at upper Laxminagar in Sarwal, Sheetal and her husband have always maintained a very low profile. This can be judged from the fact that not many people are aware. in her colony that Sheetal has brought laurels not only to her family but to the state also. Her husband says that they always wanted to serve more and talk less.
Sheetal, when asked about her instant reaction after receiving the news of her selection stated that she looked at the smiling face of her husband and felt contented with the fact that she had done what her husband always dreamt of her.
Though she says that her parents and family in which she was born might have never thought that she could achieve this unbelievable feat. But now after she has become a civil servant, she is desirous of accomplishing many tasks which she always wanted to.
(This story was originally published in 2006)
