TCN News with inputs from Sadique Mumtaz
“Hard work never goes in vain. One who continues working hard despite enduring pain and adverse conditions is destined to succeed,” said Tarannum Firdous from Siliguri, West Bengal. Tarannum is the first ever Muslim girl from Siliguri to clear this most prestigious civil service competitive exam in the state, in her maiden attempt.
Coming from a very humble background, Mohammad Ali, Tarannum’s father, is an upholsterer in the hill town of the state who earns just sufficient to meet the daily needs of a family of 5. Living in a background that constantly ignores education of girls, Tarannum was sent to a government school that had vernacular instructions medium till standard 5. Her three older brothers studied in English mediums while her elder sister suffered the similar fate as herself, managing to get minimum education as a girl from Muslim labor class would.
Tarranum had always aspired for a career in spite of the hostile situations like poor economic conditions and unwilling parents that she grew up among. Talking about Muslims girls who are faced with challenges in receiving even basic education, she opines that the first step towards the arduous journey of success is hard work and perseverance is key.
“I would like to suggest my sisters that come what may, never surrender to the fate and keep working hard to realize your dreams,” her advice to Muslim youth. Tarannum, who had always been a promising student impressed her teachers with her wit and determination. In no time, her school teachers would quickly identify her potential, and when the time came, they conveyed the same to her father. Luckily for her, Mohammad Ali took note of the news and promptly changed his thought about a girl child pursuing higher education and let her continue with her dreams of further studies.
The hardworking Tarannum excelled her college exams as well, completing her B-Tech in Information Technology in 2012 and scoring a job with a leading IT company. Even though she topped throughout her school and college life, Tarannum suffered from gender bias as well as dearth of guidance and counseling in her journey, which ultimately forced her into disappointment as her mother denied her from joining the job making her sit at home.
In 2014, Tarannum was married to a non-commissioned officer in the Indian Navy, who was a native of Champdani in Hooghly district of West Bengal. After marriage she shifted to Kerala where her husband was posted. Having enough time for herself now, Tarannum got another chance to work on her passion. She used to study Maths and Science and her genius immediately caught the attention of her husband who inspired her to pursue civil services.
“He had absolutely no problem with me joining a job, infact it was him who motivated me to pursue a career in the civil services on account of the dignity and honour associated with it,” said Tarannum about her husband. She narrated how her husband played a pivotal role in whatever she achieved. It was her husband’s continuous support that motivated her to pursue a career oriented study and grabbing this opportunity, Tarannum happily started preparing for state civil service exams.
However, she was soon with another phase of difficulty being unable to appear in any competitive examinations on account of either the odd posting of her husband or a denial of leave by his unit at the time of her examination.
In February 2016, her husband was posted in Kolkata and Tarannum was quick to catch the golden chance of applying for WBCS in 2017. Despite her past obstacles and continuously trying conditions, she cracked WBCS) in 2017 in her maiden attempt, indeed an exceptional feat especially for Muslim girls.
After clearing the prelims she reached the mains, eventually qualifying for an interview on September 4, 2018. At this time, greater difficulties had started setting in as she was 8 months pregnant then. A true inspiration and fighter that Tarannum is, she sailed through this difficult time as well and confidently appeared in the interview.
Finally the biggest day of her life came on September 20, 2018 when all her toils paid off and her name appeared in the selected list of West Bengal Civil Service (Exe) examination.