Prayagraj: The PCS 2024 results have brought with them a series of deeply moving success stories from Prayagraj and nearby districts, where determination triumphed over hardship and personal challenges. Behind the ranks and designations are journeys marked by loss, limited means, family responsibilities and unshakeable resolve.For Vandana Pandey, a teacher at a Govt Inter College, Monday turned out to be the most emotional day of her life. On the very day of her retirement, she received the news that her son Ayush Pandey had secured the 10th rank in PCS 2024 and was selected for the post of sub-divisional magistrate. A resident of Bihar Kunj Colony, Ayush’s achievement is rooted in a long and painful journey. In 2010, Vandana lost her husband in a road accident. Ayush was just 14 and studying in Class 8. After being transferred from Pratapgarh to Prayagraj, Vandana single-handedly raised Ayush and her younger son- Piyush, balancing the role of mother and father with her teaching job. With scarce resources but immense determination, she ensured their education never suffered. Ayush completed BTech from Ghaziabad and prepared for competitive examinations in Delhi while Piyush went on to become an engineer in the railways. Vandana’s long-cherished dream of seeing her son in the administrative services has now been fulfilled. A similar story comes from Sirathu of Kaushambi, where Sunil Maurya, son of a tea seller, secured 82nd rank and was selected as commercial tax officer. Sunil hails from a modest family. His father Nanka Maurya runs a small tea and snacks stall to support the household. Despite financial constraints, Sunil never let his studies suffer. With an elder sister married and a younger brother still in high school, Sunil’s success has brought pride not only to his family but to the entire locality. Then there is Sushma Yadav, who carried her seven-month-old daughter Vanya in her arms when she appeared for the interview. Sushma secured 13th rank and achieved her dream of becoming an SDM in her fifth attempt. A native of Divya Nagar in Gorakhpur, Sushma married Pankaj Yadav, a teacher in Mau, in 2022. Balancing motherhood with intense preparation was anything but easy. She admits that there were moments when she felt childcare was affecting her studies, but little Vanya turned out to be her greatest source of strength. Sushma believes her daughter brought luck and renewed motivation, making her success an inspiration for countless women juggling responsibilities and aspirations. Overcoming severe financial and personal setbacks, 25-year-old Anand Raj, who was seen crying at the temple in an Instagram reel, hails from Kevli village in Sonbhadra and secured 22nd rank in his second attempt. Educated at Sant Kinaram Vidyalaya in Ghorawal, he later moved to Prayagraj to prepare for competitive exams. His father, a small farmer, also works at a tractor agency to support the family, while his mother is a homemaker. Anand’s elder brother died in a road accident three years ago, a tragedy that disrupted his studies and forced him to return home for nearly a year and a half during the Covid period. Despite the emotional blow and financial strain, his parents never asked him to abandon his preparation. Anand rebuilt his routine through self-study, making extensive notes in Hindi medium and focusing deeply on the syllabus and previous years’ papers. After narrowly missing cut-offs in earlier attempts, he changed his optional subject to political science and improved his scores significantly. He credits his father’s sacrifices, guidance from mentors, and relentless practice for turning adversity into success. Prayagraj also witnessed a rare double celebration in the Shukla household. Former Allahabad University student Aakriti Shukla was selected as deputy SP while her sister-in-law Shreya Shukla was selected as commercial tax officer. Aakriti’s father Akhilesh Shukla is a retired senior auditor from CDA Pension, and her mother Kanchan Shukla is a homemaker. For them, the joy was doubled as both daughter and daughter-in-law succeeded. Aakriti cracked the exam in her third attempt without any coaching and relying only on self-study and test series. She completed her schooling from St Mary’s Convent Inter College, did BSc from Allahabad University and completed LLB in 2024. Originally from Barjikala village in Jaunpur’s Sujanganj area, the family now resides near Jagram Crossing in Prayagraj.
