With the success rate of cracking the UPSC examination very low, aspirants who get their dreams shattered after a few attempts usually end up turning to the private sector for some job.
However, Priyanka Paswan Jain, a Delhi resident who was once an UPSC aspirant, chose a different path. Instead of seeking employment in the corporate sector, Paswan established an NGO to empower women and uplift underprivileged children through education.
Hailing from a small village in Gorakhpur, Priyanka arrived in Delhi in 2009 with the aspiration of becoming an IAS officer. Despite rigorous preparation from 2009 to 2013, she couldn’t clear the UPSC examination, leading to stress and depression.
During this challenging time, her husband offered a life-altering suggestion: “If one wants to serve society, it is not necessary that one has to become an IAS officer. Starting an NGO and engaging in social service can be equally impactful.” This advice resonated deeply with Priyanka, and she embarked on her NGO journey.
Priyanka’s NGO provides women with valuable vocational skills, including embroidery, sewing, and a comprehensive beauty parlour course. While such courses can cost lakhs in the private sector, her NGO offers them for a nominal fee of Rs 300. This initiative has already empowered 40 women who have successfully completed the beauty parlour course and established their own parlours, earning a respectable income.
Currently, over 50 women are receiving training in sewing, embroidery, and beauty services at the NGO. The sewing and embroidery skills enable them to generate income from home by stitching blouses and other garments for local residents. Additionally, the NGO extends educational support to financially disadvantaged children, providing them with opportunities to learn and become self-reliant.
Despite being operational since 2015-2016, Priyanka’s NGO has not received any government funding. However, she is determined to apply for funds to further improve the facilities and expand the NGO’s reach.
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