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Journalism of Courage
Returning home — in Bihar’s Buxar — during the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic after graduating from Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College proved a turning point for Garima Lohia. She had set her sights on studying chartered accountancy, her “first love”. But given that most coaching institutes to prepare for CA had closed down, “and online courses were the only option available”, she began preparing for the civil services examination instead.
It bore fruit — she achieved second rank in the civil services examination-2022 in the results announced on Tuesday.
For Garima, 22, who made it in her second attempt, the preparations were all about strategy, focus and the right guidance “than your place of residence and coaching institutes”.
Garima, who had taken commerce and accountancy as her optional subject, stayed put in Buxar after returning from Delhi in 2020. “I started with basic books and used an online platform to clear my doubts, and also got enrolled for an online test series,” she said on her preparation strategy.
Appearing for the interview this March, Garima had a “gut feeling” that she would make it. “But I never imagined I would be the second topper in the country…and four girls making it to the top four positions make it extra special,” she said.
Second of three siblings, Garima, who lost her father — Maonoj Lohia, a businessman — in 2015, credits her mother, Sunita, for her success. “She had more faith in me than I had in myself. The best thing about preparing from home was that when I felt a bit down at times, I had my family to regain motivation…”
Her eyes now set on becoming an IAS officer, Garima said, “I want to be part of the process that makes change in society. I would like to focus on women’s empowerment and education.”
