“Full share for glory for any development unprecedented in history belongs to woman”
Amid all the doom and gloom engulfing the state, there’s always a ray of sunshine even if for a few fleeting moments that brings joy to all of us. Twenty-sixth year old Tulsipriya Rajkumari who has made us all proud by begging the second rank in the Indian Economic Exam/ Indian Statistical Exam gave an exclusive e-mail interview to IFP. Here are the excerpts from that interview…..
IFP: First of all, our heartiest congratulations on your achieving the second rank in the Indian Economic Service examination which is no mean feat.
Tulsipriya Rajkumari: Thank you very much!
IFP: Tell us a little bit about yourself. And do you think that one’s social background, economic conditions and educational background is a deciding factor in cracking such coveted competitive examinations?
Tulsipriya Rajkumari: I am the eldest daughter of RK Chittaranjan Singh and Chingtham Taruni Devi. I did my schooling in Litte Flower School till my 10th standard. I did my intermediate in Delhi Public School Mathura Road. I pursued B.A. Economics honours in Miranda House, Delhi University.I completed my Masters in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2010. After that I was offered a campus opportunity to work with Target Corporation, Bangalore. I worked as a Business Analyst for 2 and a half years. I quit my job in October 2012 to study for IES examination. I qualified for UGC Net JRF in December 2012 and enrolled myself for M.phil in Economics from JNU in 2013.
In my opinion, one’s social background, economic conditions and educational background is a deciding factor to some extent. But the most important factor is what you want and the amount of hard work you put in to acquire the same.
IFP: You have an impressive academic track record. Do you think that it gives one a head start over other candidates if one has strong academic credentials?
Tulsipriya Rajkumari: Having a good academic record is definitely an advantage but is not a necessary condition for achieving something significant.
IFP: When did you decide to pursue a career in the economic services? Apart from the IES exam, have you appeared in other competitive exams such as the civil services?
Tulsipriya Rajkumari: I have always aspired to become a part of the indian Economic Service but right after Masters I wanted to explore the corporate sector too. I also wanted to be financially independent.
Apart from IES, I have not sat for any competitive exams yet.
IFP: Was it your first attempt? If not than how many times have you attempted earlier?
Tulsipriya Rajkumari:Yes, this is my first attempt.
IFP: You have worked as a business analyst with Target India for more than two years. Even if there’s an economic downturn, with your kind of academic track record and work experience you could have got a lucrative job in any of the transnational corporations, what motivated you towards a career in the Indian economic services/Indian statistical service exam?
Tulsipriya Rajkumari:I could have had a lucrative job definitely but I chose to sit for Indian Economic Services because this is what I have always wanted. Having studied Economics for 5 long years, I believe IES is a natural choice and it provides you a good platform to apply your knowledge in real life situations that would have meaningful implications for the nation.
IFP: How did you prepare for the exam and how many hours you have dedicated specifically for preparing for the exam?
Tulsipriya Rajkumari: I have given my 100 % towards preparation for this examination. On average it would be 10 hours of devoted studying daily.Most important, there should be no compromise with hard work.
IFP: Coming as it did on the eve of International Women’s Day, your bringing laurel to the state by being placed second is quite symbolic. Any messages that you want to give to all the women out there whom you have inspired one way or the other.
Tulsipriya Rajkumari: I am fortunate that I have been able to make my state proud to some extent. On the eve of women`s day, I would like to reiterate that “Whatever glory belongs to the race for a development unprecedented in history, a full share belongs to the womanhood of the race.”
IFP: And last but not the least, any last words to the future aspirants on how to go about preparing for the exams.
Tulsipriya Rajkumari: The only message I can give is ” Follow your heart and give your best come what may. You will certainly achieve your goal sooner or later. Never give up”
…from the Districts
By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, March 7: Taking the opportunity of the International Women`s Day observance on March 8, women should also realize their weaknesses and not just keep validating their achievements alone, says Ms Daisy Shinglai, a housewife residing at Phungreitang in Ukhrul town.
According to, Ms Daisy who is also an executive member of the local women body, while womenfolk are making immense contributions to the growth of our society, they are also capable of causing some ailments in it.
“In the context of today`s Tangkhul society, gender discrimination is almost done away with and there is more or less equal opportunity for both men and women, except for certain customary practices” she opined.
She further said that in Ukhrul women folks are making contributions in various ways as much as their male counterparts are capable of — from ameliorating economic conditions through their SHGs to uplifting social cause of the people.
At the same time, expressing her second opinion, Daisy maintained that women folks also need to grow up in certain areas, while adding, “the gross indulgence of women in silly rumors and backbiting amongst themselves is detrimental to harmonious neighborhood/society.”
She further said that owing to the behavior of certain irresponsible women, things at times reflect badly on the whole society.
“It is high time that women also spare thoughts on checking these and not just blindly keep quibbling about male chauvinism,” she stated.
By Alex Guite
LAMKA, March 7: Even though the people the world over will be celebrating the International Women’s Day on March 8, most women in the CHurachandpur district is even unaware of the day meant especially for women empowerment.
Several women who talked to this correspondent were even unaware of the observation of such a day as the ‘International Women’s Day’.
A housewife Nemm of IB Road expressed that she is unaware of the day.
Another woman who works as a manager with the Excel Diagnostic Center, Lamka town also expressed she was unaware of the observation of the day.
By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, March 7: Eighty-year-old Th Leibaklei, wife of late Manison of Wangkhei Kongba, has been selling indigenous handloom products at Ema Keithel for more than 40 years.
She said she was 30 years old when she made her first foray into the Keithel as a vendor.
A mother of two, she said that people gathered in the bazaar in search for their means of livelihood.
“People in the state want to live in peace. We suffered a lot for 3 to 4 years when the Ema bazaar was being built and even stayed inside the bazaar protesting against it. But suddenly, the government built the bazaar. All the vendors violently protested against it as it happened so suddenly but on hindsight I condemned such kind of protests. Such things should be resolved peacefully,” said the octogenarian who is reportedly the oldest vendor in Ema Keithel.
She sold Mayang lang Pheijom for many years before venturing into selling Rani Fei in spite of being an uneducated woman.
If people continue to fight, then the traditional clothes will eventually lose out one day. The government must also gave a proper place for the street vendor because they are also sole breadwinners.