Domestic Abuse Survivor Shivangi Goyal Clears UPSC; Credits Success To Parents, Kid

The Union Public Services Commission’s Civil Service Examination final results were declared on May 30 which has scripted history. The top four ranks were all secured by women. While the four ladies have become the talk of the town, there are other candidates who are hitting the headlines for their inspirational tales. Shivangi Goyal, a resident of Hapur, is one such inspirational candidate who cleared her UPSC exam, which is one of the toughest civil service exams.

Goyal, who secured AIR 177 in UPSC has brought laurels to her family and district as well. However, her journey was not as easy. In a conversation with India Today, Shivangi recounted how she was harassed by her in-laws and moved back in with her parents along with her daughter. She credited her success to her parents and her daughter Raina.

Shivangi, who was married and has a seven-year-old daughter, was quoted as saying that her achievement is proof that a woman can achieve anything they want and that one mustn’t be afraid of speaking against wrong a woman is facing.

"I want to give a message to those married women in a society that if anything wrong happens to them at their in-laws' house, they should not be afraid. Show them that you can stand on your own feet. Women can do anything they want. If you study well and work hard, you can become an IAS," she was quoted as saying in the report.

The UPSC candidate recalled that she had always dreamt of becoming an IAS officer even before she got married and had attempted twice but could not clear the examination both times.

After her marriage, she recounts, she was abused at her in-laws’ place and was subjected to domestic violence. Getting fed up with the harassment, she eventually returned to her maternal home and her divorce case is currently in court.

Upon her return, she said, her father encouraged her to do something again and that’s when she thought of preparing for the UPSC exam again and giving one more attempt. Shivangi added that she had been dreaming of this day since she was a kid and finally it has dawned.

Feature Image: India Today

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