It’s a man’s world but fight back: UPSC topper Tina Dabi tells students

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jul 29, 2016: “It is a man’s world and to fight back we have to develop a very thick skin. Take criticism very constructively, but at the same time fight back and retain your position,” was the advice UPSC topper Tina Dabi gave to young women at Lady Shri Ram College for Women on Thursday.

Visiting her alma mater LSR for the first time after topping the prestigious examination, Dabi was given a starry welcome by the college.

She said she herself has developed a thick skin within a very short time after she became the topper.

“In the beginning when the television and newspaper wrote and said several things about me it affected me a lot. About my marks in the examination and my caste I was upset. But I learnt from all this and now it doesn’t affect me at all,” said Dabi.

Though Dabi did not get the cadre of her choice, she said she was happy about getting her second choice Rajasthan.

“Wherever I go, I will work against gender discrimination and women empowerment. To whichever district I am posted I want to set an example for my subordinates by working with integrity and empathy,” she said. She spoke in detail about the “Beti Padao Beti Bachao” scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Calling the attack on the Dalits an “unfortunate incident” she said the only way to fight against it was by keeping faith in the system.

In the packed auditorium at the college where Dabi completed her graduation, she had inspired many young women. One of the students from Hyderabad said seeing Dabi’s picture in the college magazine was one important reason for her to join LSR.

Some even sought tips from the 22-year-old IAS on preparing for the toughest civil service exam.

“It is important to study smart. What I mean by studying smart is that it is important to focus on strong points and identify the strength and weakness. My mathematics was not strong but I knew my polity was strong. So I worked on it,” said Dabi.