Pooja Khedkar, a young and dynamic IAS officer, has become an inspiration to many aspiring civil servants. Her journey from a small village in Maharashtra to the corridors of power in Delhi is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and determination.
Born and brought up in a modest family in the village of Khed in Satara district, Pooja always dreamt of making a difference in society. She completed her schooling in her village and then went on to pursue higher education in Pune. After graduating with a degree in political science, she started preparing for the UPSC civil services examination.
Pooja's preparation was not without its challenges. She had to overcome financial constraints and lack of guidance. But she never gave up on her dream. She studied hard for hours every day and sought help from online resources and friends. In 2015, she finally achieved her goal and became an IAS officer.
After completing her training, Pooja was posted as the Assistant Collector in Beed district. She quickly made a mark with her innovative ideas and dedication to her work. She launched several initiatives to improve the lives of the poor and marginalized in the district. Her work in the field of education and women empowerment was particularly noteworthy.
In 2018, Pooja was promoted to the rank of Deputy Collector and posted as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zilla Parishad in Latur district. In this role, she was responsible for the overall development of the district. She implemented several programs to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education in the district.
Pooja's work has been widely recognized and appreciated. She has received several awards for her outstanding contribution to public service. In 2019, she was selected as one of the top 10 IAS officers in India by the Government of India.
Pooja's story is an inspiration to all those who aspire to make a difference in society. She has shown that with hard work, dedication, and determination, anything is possible. She is a role model for the youth of India and a shining example of what an IAS officer can achieve.
In an interview, Pooja shared her thoughts on the challenges and opportunities for women in the civil services.
"Women face many challenges in the civil services," she said. "But we also have many opportunities. We need to be prepared to work hard and face the challenges head-on. We need to be confident and believe in ourselves. We need to be supportive of each other and work together to achieve our goals."
Pooja's advice to aspiring civil servants is to never give up on their dreams. "If you have a dream, go for it," she said. "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. Hard work and dedication can take you anywhere."