A special assembly of pride, purpose, and perseverance

May 2, 2025, will be etched in the hearts of Apeejay School, Noida, as a day brimming with pride, nostalgia, and unfiltered inspiration. The school hosted a special assembly to felicitate one of its most illustrious alumni — Ms Ashi Sharma, alumna of batch 2016 — who secured an exceptional All India Rank 12 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.

The assembly began at 9:30 am in the school auditorium, which was buzzing with excitement and admiration. Students, teachers, and dignitaries gathered to celebrate not just a remarkable academic feat but the story of perseverance and purpose that led to it.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome by the compère, whose eloquent introduction set an inspiring tone for the event. Soon after, Principal Dr Neha Sharma extended a green welcome— a tradition at Apeejay School signifying growth and gratitude. Accompanied by Vice-principals Ms Amrita Hajela (Senior Wing) and Ms Puneeta Bhasin (Junior Wing), a sapling was presented to Ms Sharma, symbolising her deep roots and flourishing journey from the classrooms of Apeejay School to the corridors of the nation’s governance.

What followed was a heartfelt profile presentation that traced Ashi’s academic trajectory — from her early years at Apeejay School to her architectural journey in Bhopal. But what set her apart was a deeper calling: A shift from urban design to public service. With striking clarity and vision, she chose Public Administration as her optional subject for UPSC — a decision that mirrored her analytical mind and alignment with real-world administrative challenges.

Adding a soulful touch to the morning, Yesha Singh of Class XII-F presented an original poem titled From Dream to Determination. Her powerful verses captured Ashi’s journey with raw emotion and poetic grace, painting the portrait of a dreamer who dared, stumbled, and rose again with greater strength.

The poetic moment was followed by a reflective address by another student of Class XII-F, Suravi Gupta, who offered a student’s perspective on what Ms Sharma’s success meant to young aspirants. Her words resonated with many in the audience, particularly those nurturing their Civil Service ambitions.

In a poignant moment that blended celebration with nostalgia, all the teachers who had once taught Ms Sharma were invited onto the stage. Alongside he school leadership, they felicitated her with a beautifully crafted memento. The gesture turned emotional as Ashi stood there, visibly moved, overwhelmed by the memories of her formative years. The auditorium echoed with applause, tears, and pride.

Then came the much-awaited highlight — the keynote address by Ms Sharma. Draped in grace and humility, she took to the podium and delivered a speech that will be remembered by all who were present. She began by sharing a touching anecdote: “In a very similar special assembly years ago, I was in ninth grade, listening to an esteemed alumnus and serving IAS officer talk about his journey. Never did I imagine that a decade later, I would be on the other side of the stage.”

Her voice carried the weight of experience and the warmth of belonging as she reminisced about her nervous first day as a sixth-grader. She remembered wondering if she would fit in, and smiled at how the school had embraced her unconditionally, shaping her personality and worldview over the years.

Interestingly, the Civil Services had not always been on her radar. Ms Sharma admitted that she only decided to pursue the UPSC path after graduating in architecture in 2021. “Many believe it was a childhood dream—but honestly, it wasn’t. It was a decision of purpose, made later, but pursued with full conviction.”

Her honesty struck a chord, especially when she opened up about her failures. In her first attempt, she missed the preliminary cut-off by a mere four marks. It was crushing. But instead of giving up, she regrouped and came back stronger. The second attempt took her to the interview stage, but the final result once again fell short by 20 marks.“It felt like cruel déjà vu,” she said. “In UPSC, failure at any stage means you go back to square one.” But she didn’t stop. She knew she owed it to herself to try one more time. And the third time, as they say, was the charm. “This success is not just mine. It belongs to my parents, my friends, my mentors—everyone who believed in me when I didn’t.”

Ms Sharma then shared advice with students — practical, sincere, and straight from the heart. When asked how many hours one should study daily, she offered a refreshing take: “Don’t chase the number of hours. Instead, train your mind to sit for the exam duration. If the prelims are for two hours, start by sitting for that long—build it slowly. What matters is consistency, not clocking long hours for the sake of it.” She encouraged students to be patient, to allow themselves breaks, and not to be too harsh on days when they weren’t at 100%. “Not every day is a 100% day. Some days are just 10%, and that’s okay,” she smiled, evoking nods from students and teachers alike.

She answered other thoughtful queries as well, such as whether the Humanities is essential for UPSC, how to prepare for the personality test, and how to manage setbacks. Her answers were meticulous and kind, with a clear intent to truly help. With each word, Ms Sharma reclaimed the definition of a role model. She was not just an academic achiever, but a symbol of resilience, self-awareness, and purpose. Her story reminded everyone that failures don’t define us — our response to them does.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and a note of motivation from the school leadership. But the real takeaway was etched in every heart present in that auditorium: a deep conviction that dreams backed by determination are never out of reach.

As Ms Sharma now prepares to join the Indian Administrative Service and trains at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, she carries with her not just the pride of her alma mater, but the hopes of countless young minds who now see the IAS not just as a title — but as a mission.

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