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Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘If it wasn't for this quota…': How a unique DU provision has opened the doors to a ‘dream college' for several women
For as long as she can remember, Darshani Sengar, a 19-year-old from Pune, had been clear about where she wanted to go for college: Miranda House in Delhi University. But as CUET results were announced in 2024, she was disappointed to learn she had not made the cut-off. What made it worse was that she had lost the chance by a single mark; she scored 782 instead of 783, which she needed for her subjects under the general category. But then, she stumbled upon a DU video on YouTube about the Single Girl-Child (SGC) quota that was introduced in 2023. And a few weeks later, Darshani entered the portals of Miranda House, finally living her long-cherished dream. 'If it wasn't for this quota, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get into my first preference. I still remember my first day at Miranda House, I socialised with many people in the induction programme and also painted a mural, which is now hung on the college walls,' she says. Darshani is not the only one. From a South Delhi girl who could not complete her CUET paper due to an exam glitch to a teenager from West Bengal whose parents were reluctant to send her to the Capital, several female students securing admission under the SGC quota say the provision was a lifesaver. A first-year Political Science (Hons) student at Miranda House, Darshani says, 'I got my first preference because of this quota. Otherwise, Miranda House would've been out of reach.' Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official explains the rationale behind the quota: 'Our country believes in Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. If we educate a girl, we educate an entire family. The aim is to provide an opportunity to single girl children from all backgrounds.' To apply for the quota, all applicants are required to submit an affidavit proving they are a single-girl child, says Darshani, whose father serves in the Maharashtra Police, while her mother is a homemaker. The supernumerary quota reserves seats across courses for single-girl children based on merit. According to data from DU's admissions office, 849 students were admitted under this quota in the 2024-25 academic session. This marks a tangible increase from 764 students admitted under the quota in the previous session. It is learnt that the quota will also be introduced for postgraduate admissions this year. For Anvi Mansharamani, 18, a student from South Delhi, the SGC quota turned what she thought was an impossible dream into reality: admission to Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC). 'I always dreamt of studying at SRCC, but during my CUET exam, there were technical glitches — the test started 15 minutes late, and I couldn't finish the paper. I thought SRCC was out of the question,' she says. But with the SGC quota, Mansharamani secured a seat in her first choice, where she is now pursuing B.A. (Hons) Economics. All she wants now is to 'prove herself'. Says the Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, alumnus, 'Although I was excited, entering SRCC was intimidating — all the toppers from various schools are here. I felt extra pressure entering through a quota, so I worked twice as hard to manage both academics and extracurricular activities.' Shreya Biswas, 19, from West Bengal's Durgapur, had long dreamed of pursuing engineering at an IIT or NIT. But after narrowly missing the JEE Advanced cutoff, she thought her academic year would be wasted. That changed when the SGC quota enabled her admission to Hindu College for BSc (Hons) Physics. 'My father is an engineer and my mother a retired professor. They always wanted me to pursue engineering, but I was clear about my love for physics. Luckily, this quota helped me get into Hindu College. It was the prestige of the college that helped me convince my parents to come to Delhi,' she says. Like Shreya, Darshani also had some convincing to do with her parents. 'They were initially very scared to send me to Delhi because of its reputation regarding women's safety. But, we are slowly adjusting,' she says. For Lakshita Pasricha, 19, from Northwest Delhi, the quota helped reclaim her academic future after a 'difficult year'. 'Coming to North Campus was a dream. I got into Ramjas College, but because of this quota, I managed to get Hindu College,' says Lakshita, who wanted to pursue MBBS after clearing NEET. 'The NEET 'scam' and rank inflation last year slimmed down my chances. I was very depressed after that, but this quota came to my rescue,' she says. Now pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Botany, Lakshita has been participating in research projects in Chemistry and Botany in her college, and hopes to pursue a career in research. For Shreya, the quota offers crucial support for girls seeking to follow their academic passion. 'This is very helpful for girls who want to fight for their choice of education.' Darshani echoes similar sentiments. 'Delhi is a city of opportunity, and coming to Miranda House is a dream come true. I'm fortunate that my parents believe in educating me — but many girls don't have this privilege. In families where boys are prioritised, this quota will be a game changer.' Darshani, though, feels that more needs to be done for female students. 'One issue is that there is no hostel accommodation reserved for SGC quota students — allotment is on a first-come, first-served basis. I think fee concessions should also be considered for this category as many female students who cannot afford to study in DU might miss out on the opportunity due to money constraints,' she tells The Indian Express.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
THE WOMAN WHO CLIMBED DARKNESS
Logo: Times Specials Kullu: On the morning of May 19, as dawn lit up the Himalayas, Chhonzin Angmo stood on the summit of Mount Everest. There was no sweeping panorama for her. No view. No photograph. Just a blur of wind, cold, breathlessness — and tears. "I couldn't see anything," Angmo said. "But I could feel it. I was standing on the top of the world. That moment was unbelievable." In that moment, the 29-year-old from Himachal Pradesh, India, became the first visually impaired woman ever to summit Everest, and only the fifth person in history without sight to reach the peak. She had made it. Not despite her blindness — but through it. From the valley to the void Angmo was born in Chango, a remote Himalayan village sitting almost 3,000 metres above sea level, on the edge of the Spiti valley. She had perfect vision as a child, playing in the apple orchards and walking to school like any other. But one day, at the age of eight, something changed. "It was during her school examinations," said her older brother, Gopal. "The teacher noticed her handwriting had started slanting on the page. She said she couldn't see." Within days, Angmo was blind. Her family travelled hundreds of kilometres to doctors in Rampur, then to Delhi, Chandigarh and Patiala — but the cause was never identified, and the treatments never worked. The young girl spent years at home in silence. But silence never suited her. "She had this fire," said Tashi Dolma, the village head of Chango and a former schoolmate. "She was never going to accept being left behind. " Learning to move forward Angmo was enrolled eventually in the Mahabodhi Residential School for the visually impaired in Leh, Ladakh — more than 1,000 km from home. There, she learned Braille. She graduated. Then she left the mountains for Delhi, where she studied at Miranda House, one of India's top colleges for women. There, the mountains called her back. And this time, she answered in a way no one expected. Angmo took up adventure sport. She paraglided in Bir-Billing. She bicycled from Manali to Khardung La. She swam, ran marathons, played judo, scaled the Siachen Glacier, and summited Kang Yatse II and Kanamo Peak. She worked her way up to 20,000-foot climbs — blind. "After I lost my eyesight, Everest became my obsession," she said. "People tried to scare me. They said I'd die. But every time they said it, I became more determined." The final ascent Mount Everest is more than a climb. For Indian climbers, a guided expedition can cost upwards of ₹50 lakh. For a blind woman from a remote village, it's nearly impossible. Angmo knocked on many doors. Eventually, her employer —Union Bank of India — agreed to sponsor her expedition. She left Delhi on April 6. After flying to Lukla, she trekked to Everest Base Camp by April 18. For the next 26 days, she trained and acclimatised under the guidance of military veteran Romil Barthwal and two Sherpa guides, Dundu Sherpa and Gurung Maila. On May 15, the summit push began. Her biggest fear? Not altitude. Not fatigue. Crevasses. "I was terrified of the ladders. I couldn't walk across them, so I sat on them and crawled across on my hands," she said. Between Base Camp and Camp 4, she relied on trekking poles and the subtle shifts in body movements of climbers ahead to navigate. At times, she memorised terrain from a previous trek to Base Camp a year earlier. On May 18, she reached Camp 4. That night, at 7 pm, the team made their summit push. Top of the world Above 8,000 m lies the Death Zone, where oxygen is scarce and each step can take a minute. Angmo moved slowly, focusing on her breathing, her footing, her purpose. "At that altitude, every step hurts. I just kept repeating in my head: I'm not doing this just for me. I'm doing it for everyone who's ever been told they can't." By 8.30 am the next morning, she was there — at 8,849 m. The world's highest point. She couldn't see it. But she knew. "The wind was fierce. My Sherpas were telling me about the peaks below. I couldn't hold back my tears." Back to reality, eyes still shut—but wide open Today, Angmo lives alone in Delhi. She takes the metro to work, cooks her own meals, visits friends. But her story is far from over. "Everest isn't the end. It's the beginning," she said. "Next, I want to climb the Seven Summits." Her story adds a new chapter to global mountaineering history — and a proud page to India's. Graphic Blind Faith, High Point: Scaling the Invisible box1 Chhonzin Angmo's Road to Summit >> April 6 | Departs Delhi >> April 10 | Begins Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla >> April 18 | Reaches base camp; starts 26-day acclimatisation >> May 15 | Reaches Camp 1 >> May 16-18 | Climbs through Camps 2 to 4 >> May 19, 8.30 am | Reaches the summit of Mount Everest box 2 The famous 5: Everest's Sightless Pioneers >> Erik Weihenmayer (US) | First blind person to summit Everest (2001); completed Seven Summits >> Andy Holzer (Austria) | Summited Everest in 2017 via Tibet >> Zhang Hong (China) | First blind Asian climber to summit (2021) >> Lonnie Bedwell (US) | Blind Navy veteran summited in 2023 >> Chhonzin Angmo (India) | First blind woman to summit Everest (2025) box3 No Legs, But What A Feat! Other Indian physically challenged mountaineers:- >> Arunima Sinha | Second amputee in the world to summit Everest (2013) >> Chitrasen Sahu | Double amputee (called Half Human Robo); climbed Mt Elbrus and Kilimanjaro >> Uday Kumar | Amputee climber; scaled Kilimanjaro and Mt Rhenock >> Tinkesh Kaushik | First triple amputee to reach Everest base camp box 4 "To climb Everest, you don't just need strength. You need a reason," Angmo said. She found hers in the dark. And she carried it all the way to the top of the world. MSID:: 121547482 413 |
Economic Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
How Virat Kohli's discipline inspired a 22-year-old to crack UPSC with AIR 3 in her first attempt
Ananya Reddy, an alumna of Miranda House, Delhi, turned her UPSC dream into reality by securing AIR 3 in her first try. Drawing motivation from cricket icon Virat Kohli, she managed stress with sports and novels, proving that consistency, not just hard work, defines success. In a nation where millions dream of donning the coveted UPSC cap, only a few make it to the finish line—fewer still in their first attempt. And when someone does it at just 22, clinching the All India Rank 3, the feat isn't just impressive—it's extraordinary. Meet Donuru Ananya Reddy, a name that has suddenly become synonymous with grit, balance, and unwavering ambition. Hailing from Mahabubnagar in Telangana, Ananya Reddy's journey to UPSC success began soon after she completed her undergraduate degree in Geography from Delhi's Miranda House. With a minor in Economics, her academic foundation was strong, but the Civil Services demanded more than just classroom knowledge. It required commitment, sacrifice, and a strategy tailored to her own strengths—and that's exactly what she crafted. She shifted to Delhi, rented a modest room near her coaching institute, and immersed herself in a lifestyle of purposeful study. Not one to blindly chase popular study routines, Ananya created a flexible yet focused approach. Study hours slowly increased—from scattered sessions to a disciplined 12-14 hour daily regime—but never at the cost of her mental well-being. While most UPSC aspirants fear burnout, Ananya understood the value of breaks. Her stress-buster? Cricket. Her hero? Virat Kohli. Not just for his runs on the pitch, but for the sheer discipline, resilience, and 'never-say-die' attitude he embodies. 'His work ethic and mental strength have been my biggest learnings,' Ananya shared in an interview with The Indian Express . Her leisure hours were filled with test matches and novels—each a mini-escape that kept her grounded amid the pressure. In 2023, with just two years of preparation, Ananya cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her very first attempt. She not only secured AIR 3 overall but emerged as the highest-ranking female candidate of the year. Her final score? A staggering 1065, including a remarkable 190 in the Personality Test. Her chosen optional was Anthropology—a subject she meticulously mastered with the help of coaching and extensive self-study. But beyond marks and ranks, it was her vision for public service that stood out. 'No matter where I'm posted,' she said, 'I want to bring the administration closer to the people.' With the UPSC 2025 prelims underway and over 13 lakh aspirants vying for a spot, stories like Ananya's shine like beacons. Her success isn't merely about long hours or academic brilliance—it's about clarity of purpose, mental discipline, and a refusal to give up. — jsuryareddy (@jsuryareddy) From a small town in Telangana to the UPSC merit list's top three, Ananya Reddy has proved that success doesn't always need a rigid schedule—it needs consistency, courage, and a bit of cricket when things get tough. For every young dreamer preparing to face their own version of the UPSC pitch, Ananya's story is a reminder: Believe like Kohli. Prepare like Reddy. And never stop playing to win.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
How Virat Kohli's discipline inspired a 22-year-old to crack UPSC with AIR 3 in her first attempt
Donuru Ananya Reddy, a 22-year-old from Telangana, cracked the UPSC Civil Services Exam in her first attempt, securing AIR 3. Inspired by Virat Kohli's discipline, she studied up to 14 hours a day with breaks spent watching cricket and reading. Her personalized, balanced approach and strong family support made her the highest-ranking female candidate in UPSC 2023. Ananya Reddy, an alumna of Miranda House, Delhi, turned her UPSC dream into reality by securing AIR 3 in her first try. Drawing motivation from cricket icon Virat Kohli, she managed stress with sports and novels, proving that consistency, not just hard work, defines success. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Dream, A Discipline, and a Delhi Hostel Room Cricket, Novels, and the Kohli Connection Beating the Odds, Breaking the Norms Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads With 2 years of preparation, Ananya cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her very first attempt The Legacy She Leaves Behind In a nation where millions dream of donning the coveted UPSC cap, only a few make it to the finish line—fewer still in their first attempt. And when someone does it at just 22, clinching the All India Rank 3, the feat isn't just impressive—it's extraordinary. Meet Donuru Ananya Reddy , a name that has suddenly become synonymous with grit, balance, and unwavering from Mahabubnagar in Telangana, Ananya Reddy's journey to UPSC success began soon after she completed her undergraduate degree in Geography from Delhi's Miranda House. With a minor in Economics, her academic foundation was strong, but the Civil Services demanded more than just classroom knowledge. It required commitment, sacrifice, and a strategy tailored to her own strengths—and that's exactly what she shifted to Delhi, rented a modest room near her coaching institute, and immersed herself in a lifestyle of purposeful study. Not one to blindly chase popular study routines, Ananya created a flexible yet focused approach. Study hours slowly increased—from scattered sessions to a disciplined 12-14 hour daily regime—but never at the cost of her mental most UPSC aspirants fear burnout, Ananya understood the value of breaks. Her stress-buster? Cricket. Her hero? Virat Kohli. Not just for his runs on the pitch, but for the sheer discipline, resilience, and 'never-say-die' attitude he embodies. 'His work ethic and mental strength have been my biggest learnings,' Ananya shared in an interview with The Indian Express. Her leisure hours were filled with test matches and novels—each a mini-escape that kept her grounded amid the 2023, with just two years of preparation, Ananya cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her very first attempt. She not only secured AIR 3 overall but emerged as the highest-ranking female candidate of the year. Her final score? A staggering 1065, including a remarkable 190 in the Personality chosen optional was Anthropology—a subject she meticulously mastered with the help of coaching and extensive self-study. But beyond marks and ranks, it was her vision for public service that stood out. 'No matter where I'm posted,' she said, 'I want to bring the administration closer to the people.'With the UPSC 2025 prelims underway and over 13 lakh aspirants vying for a spot, stories like Ananya's shine like beacons. Her success isn't merely about long hours or academic brilliance—it's about clarity of purpose, mental discipline, and a refusal to give a small town in Telangana to the UPSC merit list's top three, Ananya Reddy has proved that success doesn't always need a rigid schedule—it needs consistency, courage, and a bit of cricket when things get every young dreamer preparing to face their own version of the UPSC pitch, Ananya's story is a reminder: Believe like Kohli. Prepare like Reddy. And never stop playing to win.
NDTV
24-05-2025
- NDTV
Visually Impaired Himachali Woman Becomes 1st Indian To Scale Mount Everest
Shimla: Chhonzin Angmo, a tribal woman from a remote village in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district, suffers from total blindness but she has never let her visual impairment stand in the way of her dreams. Angmo, who idolises Hellen Keller, believes deeply in her words of wisdom -- "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." On Monday, she scripted history by becoming the first visually-impaired woman from India and the fifth such person in the world to scale Mt Everest, planting the Tricolour on Earth's highest mountain. Born in the remote Chango village along the India-Tibet border, Angmo lost her sight when she was eight years old. She still went on to earn her graduation and masters degrees from Miranda House under the University of Delhi. At present, she works with the Union Bank of India as a customer service associate in Delhi. Her father Amar Chand told PTI on Friday, "My daughter has made me proud and we all are very happy about her achievement. However, we do not know the exact details yet and are waiting for her return." The news of Angmo scaling the world's highest peak also brought cheer among locals of her village. Yamchin, her relative, said Angmo was bold and determined since childhood. Her feat has brought happiness to the entire village, she said. Angmo's journey may have been full of challenges but she turned every challenge into an opportunity. "My story has just begun, my blindness is not my weakness but my strength," she had earlier told PTI. "Climbing mountain peaks has been my childhood dream but financial constraints were a big challenge. Now I will embark on scaling all the left-out peaks," she had said. In October 2024, Angmo became the first visually-impaired Indian woman to complete a trek to the Everest base camp, located at an altitude of 5,364 metres. She has scaled Mt Kang Yatsae 2 (6,250 metres) in Ladakh and was also a member of the Divyang expedition team that scaled an unnamed peak at an altitude of about 6,000 metres in the Union Territory. Her feats even found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mann ki Baat" radio broadcast as he recognised and praised her team. With a passion for sports, Angmo won a gold medal in swimming at the state level and participated in a national-level judo championship. She has two bronze medals from national-level marathon events and participated in the Delhi Marathon three times, as well as the Pink Marathon and the Delhi Vedanta Marathon. She also played football at the zonal and the national levels. In order to achieve her dream of scaling mountain peaks, Angmo completed a basic mountaineering course from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in 2016 and was adjudged the best trainee. An adventurer by heart, she cycled from Manali to Khardung La, one of the world's highest motorable roads at an altitude of 18,000 feet (about 5486 metres), in 10 days, braving extreme temperatures, in 2018; embarked on a cycling expedition through the Nilgiris region across three states in just six days in 2019; and completed the seven-day cycling expedition from Manali to Kalpa across the Spiti Valley and Kinnaur last July. She was also the only woman mountaineer of the team of people with disabilities that scaled the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, in 2021 under Operation Blue Freedom and set a New World Record. She received the Sarvshresth Divyangjan National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities last year from President Droupadi Murmu. She is also a recipient of the NAB Madhu Sharma Young Achiever Award, International Day of Persons with Disabilities Award from the National Association for the Blind in Delhi, and the Cavinkare Ability Mastery Awards.
