How Cursive Writing Assisted a Kerala Woman with Disabilities in Passing the UPSC Exam

Parvathy Gopakumar, a resident of Kerala’s Alappuzha, achieved the remarkable feat of securing the 282nd rank in the UPSC civil services exam for 2023. Her accomplishment is even more extraordinary considering her journey, marked by grit and determination in the face of adversity. In an interview with *Manorama*, Gopakumar revealed that a traumatic bike accident led to the amputation of her right hand when she was in Class 7.

Instead of dwelling on the past, she shared her aspirations for the future, expressing her desire to serve as a civil servant. Despite the challenges, Gopakumar honed her skills and developed a unique method to write with her left hand, using a Cursive Writing book meant for LKG students. This determination and resilience paid off when she not only overcame the trauma but also secured an impressive rank in her second attempt at the UPSC exam.

Her parents, with her father serving as Deputy Tehsildar in the Revenue Department and her mother as a high school teacher, provided support and encouragement throughout her journey. Having chosen humanities after Class 10 and pursued law in Bengaluru, Gopakumar joined a private coaching center in Thiruvananthapuram to prepare for the Civil Services exam. With her goal achieved, she expressed her commitment to continue striving for excellence in whatever comes next.

Her success stands as a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience in the pursuit of her dreams. In the UPSC Civil Services Result for 2023, over 1,000 aspirants succeeded, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.