She chose her ambition over her father's dream: IPS officer Aparajita Rai's story will inspire you to follow you heart

When people are asked what they know about the 8 states of North East (Yes they are 8, not 7 now), not many can claim to know much.

Some might respond that it is a place of amazing beauty. But that is not all the North East--it is also a land of young men and women determined to serve their country. One such young woman is Aparajita Rai.

Who is Aparajita Rai?

Aparajita is from the 8th state of North East--Sikkim. She is the first Gorkha female IPS officer from the state.

Here are 5 interesting facts about her:

Aparajita lost her father when she was just 8-year-old

Aparajita Rai is the daughter of late Gyanendra Rai and Roma Rai. She lost her father when she was merely 8 years old. She witnessed how sensitivity was not a part of government job officers’ vocabulary. She wanted to be the change.

Aparajita dared to dream big

Aparajita went on to complete her ISC from Tashi Namgyal Academy as a topper, where she was awarded the Founders Medal for best all-rounder student in 2004. She was the state topper in the ISC board exams.

Aparajita was a student who excelled in everything she did

She decided to pursue law after completing plus 2, walking at least partly on the road her father wanted her to walk. And she didn’t disappoint him. She was the Gold medalist from National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata in both Jurisprudence and Public Administration. But after that, she chose her own path.

She has proven to be a strong inspiration to the youth of her state

She cracked the UPSC examination twice; once in 2011 and again, in 2012. She secured the 358th rank in UPSC 2012 Examinations and was allocated the IPS cadre.

Aparajita is currently posted in West Bengal

She won the 1958 Batch IPS officers’ Trophy for the best Lady Outdoor Probationer. There are three more awards to her credit -- Shri Umesh Chandra Trophy for Field Combat, 55th Batch of Senior Course Officers Trophy for Best Turn Out and West Bengal Govt Trophy for Bengali.

And do you know what’s the best part? She is just 28 years old.

Rai is currently posted in Hoogly, West Bengal, living her childhood dream of making government service more accessible for the common man.