New Delhi: It was the urge to serve the country's rural population that made 30-year-old Shubhra Saxena to quit her well-paid IT job four years back and prepare for civil service examinations, says the UPSC topper.
"It is a very good feeling. Every person achieves victory at their own pace," an elated Saxena said, minutes after the news trickled in that she topped the 2008 civil services examination.
She attributed her feat to her "loving" parents and husband, saying they "were very much supportive when I expressed my desire to appear for civil services."
The software engineer, an alumnus of IIT-Rourkee, said she quit her well-paid IT job as she always had a urge to serve the rural population, who are deprived of of even basic facilities such as education and drinking water.
"I wasn't able to serve the people when I was in the IT field. So, I decided to quit and appear for civil services examination," Saxena, who cleared the examination in her second attempt, said.
"My priorities are empowering the rural masses and providing education to them."
Born in Uttar Pradesh's Bareli, Saxena had most of her education in Jharkhand as her father was an engineer with Coal India.
"I always wanted to serve the people. My family sacrificed a lot. I had to stay away from my husband and stay with my mom... they were very helpful," the former IT professional said.
Asked about her schedule while preparing for the examinations, Saxena said she would work for an average of eight hours a day and 10-12 hours during examinations.
"I always had faith in myself... so I won. Once a person understands the concept it is very easy to crack the exam. And more important is the ability to believe in yourself," she said.
Saxena said her husband was her "biggest supporter" in the past four years while she was preparing for the civil services exam.
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