An inspiring journey of efforts and dedication, Karishma Thakur, a young girl from the small village of Kothi Gaihri in Himachal Pradesh, has turned her childhood dream of serving in the Indian Army into reality. Her journey is an example of resilience, family support, and unwavering commitment, triumphing over family responsibility and financial hardships.
Karishma’s life suddenly turned challenging in 2017 with the untimely death of her father, Lalit Sharma. The burden of raising five children fell solely on her mother, Drumati Devi, who refused not to defeat form circumstances dictated her family’s future. Her mother, Drumati Devi, started a small dairy business, selling milk and working under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) to bear her children’s education. Her continuous efforts never stopped and ensured that the dreams of her children, especially Karishma, were fulfilled.
The youngest of four sisters, Karishma has had a dream to join the Indian Army since her childhood. Her dream grew stronger during her Bachelor of Arts studies at Vallabh Government College, Mandi. She actively participated in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Karishma showcased exceptional dedication. She became the first student from her college to participate in the NCC national camp. This achievement pushed her vision of a military career.
However, the road to success was not easy. For years, Karishma covered a distance of 20- kilometers daily from her home in Rewalsar to Mandi, balancing her studies and preparing for police recruitment exams. For more focused preparations, she moved into a hostel in Mandi last year, devoting herself entirely to her academic and defense preparations.
Karishma’s hard work won the battle of success when she was selected for training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, set to commence this December. This news gave immense joy and pride to her family, especially her mother. Initially her mother was not believing in her daughter’s achievement; Drumati Devi was overcome with emotion as the reality of Karishma’s success sank in.
Memorizing her past journey, Drumati expressed pride not only in Karishma’s accomplishment but also in the resilience that helped their family overcome challenges. Karishma’s story is not just about personal success over difficult times; it is a beacon of hope for many young children. This struggle gives the lesson of perseverance, the strength of a mother’s love, and the ability to turn dreams into reality on self-belief.
Lieutenant Karishma Thakur’s journey from a small village in Himachal Pradesh to the doors of the Officer Training Academy (OTA) is a story of inspiration for countless young aspirants who wish to join Indian Armed Forces. They should keep in mind that in the face of adversity, dreams are achievable with courage, hard work, and an unyielding belief in oneself.
