Meerut girl who fled home to dodge marriage is a PCS officer 7 yrs later

MEERUT: Sanju Rani Verma, then 28 years old, was not sure of the perils waiting outside when she left her home after a fight. But she was very sure of those lurking indoors, if she stayed. In 2013, after her ailing mother passed away, Sanju was told to leave the college midway and get married. By then she had completed graduation from Meerut’s RG Degree College and was pursuing post-graduation from Delhi University.
As the pressure to “settle down” mounted, she found herself at the crossroads. She had to choose between the family life and her dream.
Seven years on, Sanju has no regret that she followed her dream.
Last week, she found her name among the list of candidates who had cracked the prestigious state Public Service Commission (PSC) exam.
“That year (in 2013) I not only left home, but also the PG course which I was pursuing from DU. There was no money. I took a room on rent and started teaching children. I also got part-time teaching jobs at private schools. Somehow I continued my studies for civil services exams,” Sanju says. She cleared the UPPSC-2018 exam, the result of which was declared last week.
And she will soon be joining the service as a commercial tax officer.
But, Sanju has her eyes fixed at a higher goal. “I was expecting the post of sub-divisional magistrate. My final aim is to crack the civil services exam and become a district magistrate,” she says.
Sanju appeared more content, less bitter now.
Recalling the days preceding her decision of leaving the home, she says, “My mother had passed away just a few days ago and my family started building up pressure to get me married. I tried to explain my point but all in vain. It was then that I decided that they cannot see the things from my perspective and I would rather live by my own because I was not ready to settle for anything less.”
“They (the family) were upset with me because I started living by myself. But I know they will be happy to see me getting the respect as an officer. I am very much aware about my responsibilities and want to support my family in every way possible. But I do not understand the societal pressure… not letting your daughters study and marrying them off.”
Sanju took coaching from Meerut and her teacher Abhishek Sharma has been instrumental in her success.
“I remember how the mains got postponed just 18 days before the scheduled day. And I was extremely happy about it because I was suffering from chicken pox. The exam went well and I was sure that I will clear it this time,” she said.