Rashmi

"I still remember that day."-said Rashmi, the District Magistrate of Ratanpur to her PA.

Rashmi was the District Magistrate of Ratanpur district in Rajasthan. Her story from being a victim of child marriage to become the DM is simply breath-taking.

"Rashmi, are you ready? The baarat might be reaching any time."-mother beckoned the 13 year old. 

On the other side, Rashmi was struggling to escape from the house with her brother's help.

"Don't worry Rashmi. Escape from here. I have put some money in your bag. You go to Jaipur first. I have spoken with my friend. He will pick you up from the station."

A teary-eyed Rashmi bade farewell to her bhaai Amar and ran away.

She reached Jaipur. Amar had given her photo to his friend Vikram and he picked her up from the station. When they reached home, Vikram's mother gave her some snacks to eat.

"Rashmi beta are you fine. Do not worry; you are completely safe here."

Rashmi nodded her head and began swallowing food, trying her best to control her tears.

Vikram's dad got Rashmi admitted to a girls’ boarding school soon afterward. Meanwhile, Amar had informed Vikram about the developments in Rashmi's village and that the Panchayat was tremendously infuriated with Rashmi and that they had launched a quest for her.

When Rashmi learnt from bhaai's letter about her household denouncing her, she was broken, but Vikram and his parents were there to console her.

"I remember my first day at the boarding. I had been overwhelmed by seeing so many people. My village school had just 10 children. There were times initially when I felt tremendously intimidated and just wanted to run away. But then, I reminded myself of the struggles bhaai had to go through for me, the help and support of Vikram and chacha-chachi and I would get myselves going."-she told her PA.

Rashmi after completing school secured a Bachelor's degree in Arts from a prestigious college. She had received a scholarship for her studies owing to her intellect and brilliant performance from the State Government. 

Meanwhile, she came to know about the UPSC when she had attended a guest lecture of Mr. Bisht, the DC, in her college while graduating. She made up her mind to be a collector. 

After graduation, to manage her finances and studies, she started working as a librarian in the State Government library in the vicinity. She used to be there during the working hours studying, referring various books from the library. And reaching her hostel, where she had started living after her 10th results, she used to take some tuitions to support the earning. Rashmi studied rigorously and religiously for one year and began attempting the exam.

She knew she had just one chance for the exam due to her tight financial conditions. But, she knew she would get the success due to her confidence, consistent study and worthy support of bhaai, Vikram and his parents. 

And indeed, she achieved an all-India rank of 50 in the UPSC and got selected for the IAS. After 5 years of posting, she was posted in Ratanpur district in which her village was located.

Today she was on an official visit to the village with her PA. The village had an infamous reputation for being the most affected with child marriages. And, she was there to erase that reputation. 

"I will not let any more children to be caught in this tyranny of child marriage. I will strive to rescue them."-pledged Rashmi.

And she did it. She believed in herself, she believed in the support she had, she believed in positivity and she did it.