After Long Battle With Polio, Sarika Jain Defied Odds To Become IRS Officer

In a world filled with challenges, some individuals rise above adversity to achieve extraordinary feats. This is the story of one such person, whose journey from a challenging beginning to success serves as an inspiration to us all. Born with polio and once in a coma for a year and a half due to medical negligence, this individual's path to becoming an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officer is a testament to the power of determination and resilience.

As she reflects on her path, Sarika Jain shares a poignant poem that encapsulates the essence of her journey and the profound lessons she has gleaned along the way.

"Ghayal Parinda Hai Tu,  Dikhla De Jinda Hai Tu 

 Tujhme Hai Hausla,

Tere Junoon Ke Aage Ambar Panaah Mange, Karle Jo Tu Faisla"

Sarika was born into a modest family in the small village of Katavanhji in Odisha. At just 2 years old, she contracted polio. Her parents were unaware of what polio entailed. When Sarika's parents took her to the doctor, even the doctor initially suspected it might be malaria. After receiving an injection, half of Sarika's body stopped functioning, and she slipped into a coma.

Unwavering Support From Family

Sarika, talking about her post-coma struggles, says, “After emerging from my coma, I embarked on the challenging journey of relearning to walk. Despite stumbling along the way, I eventually mastered the art of walking again. I was denied admission to schools due to my condition, and I faced numerous rejections before finally finding a school willing to accept me. However, the journey was far from easy, with many obstacles along the way.”

She gives all the credit to her parents, who never saw her as a disabled child. “Throughout my struggles, my parents treated me like any other child, never discriminating against me because of my disability.”

Despite facing numerous challenges, including discrimination and physical limitations, she completed her degree in commerce and accounting. She says, “despite my desire to become a doctor, financial constraints led me to pursue a degree in commerce. However, my passion for learning remained undiminished. Four years later, I seized the opportunity to take the CA exam, emerging as the top scorer among 30-40 candidates.

 A Road to Success

Encouraged by her parents' confidence in her abilities, Sarika pursued further education, eventually earning the title of CA and receiving accolades for her academic achievements

Driven by her ambition and inspired by the success of local role models, such as Arvind Agarwal, an IAS officer from her town, Sarika embarked on a journey to prepare for the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Devoting an impressive 13 hours a day to her studies, she joined an IAS coaching centre in New Delhi, determined to succeed against all odds.

After months of rigorous preparation and unwavering dedication, Sarika's efforts bore fruit when she secured an impressive 527th rank in the UPSC examination. Her achievement serves as a testament to her resilience, perseverance, and unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and achieve her dreams.

Listen to her story in her own words on Josh Talks: