“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” – Joel Brown
Success is a combination of passion, perseverance, and preparation. It is ignited by a deep-rooted passion for what you do, a burning desire that propels you forward even in the face of obstacles. Here is another success story of Sherin Shahana who cracked one of the most challenging exams in India, UPSC, with flying colours.
Sherin always had big ambitions in her eyes
Sherin is the youngest of four sisters and belongs to an illiterate daily-wage labourer Muslim family. She hails from Wayanad, Kerala and always had the dream to be a part of the civil services of India. But her life took a turn when she had a freak accident. Sherin is now bound to a wheelchair after falling from the terrace of her house in 2017. She was bedridden for almost 2 years and now is in a wheelchair. And now she is suffering from quadriplegia.
But this accident never downcasted her. She had made up her mind to clear UPSC since her childhood. She has completed her master’s degree in political science. Shreni’s father died in 2015 while her mother studied till 4th grade. Two of her elder sisters discontinued their studies due to financial hardships and another one who continued studies is now a research scholar in Mathematics.
Despite all these adversities, 26-year-old Sherin had determination and cleared UPSC with a rank of 913. She just bounded herself to her achievement. She abandoned herself from any social gatherings or friends. Sherin was inspired by his neighbour who was selected for the Indian Railway Management Service. He received all the charms from the villagers. This ignited a fire of ambition within her and motivated her to appear for the UPSC exam.
She completed her schooling at a local government college and went to a college in Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad. Leaving all the tragedies, in 2017, behind, she cleared the UGC-NET exam and worked as a research scholar in international relations at the University of Calicut. Then in 2020, she joined an IAS academy to fulfil her coaching requirements.
No obstacle can stop you from achieving your dreams
In conclusion, the story of Sherin who cleared the UPSC exam despite being handicapped is nothing short of inspirational. Her story serves as a testament to the fact that with determination, hard work, and a positive attitude, anything is possible. Sherin’s achievement is not only a personal victory but also a victory for the entire disabled community, as it breaks down barriers and challenges the misconceptions surrounding disability. Her success is a reminder to us all that no obstacle is too great to overcome, and that we can achieve anything we set our minds to.
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