“He beat me before my kids and urinated in a bucket and threw it on me” How Savita Pradhan fought poverty and abuse to become an IAS officer

Savitri Pradhan’s story sends chills down the spine. It is one of those rare journeys that prove success does not depend on comfort, convenience, or opportunity. Married at a young age, she became a mother of two while enduring constant abuse and violence. At one point, she was forced to flee her home with no money and no support. Yet, despite these overwhelming hardships, she rose to achieve one of the most prestigious positions—becoming an IAS officer. “One day, I left my book upstairs and came down. When I returned, I found that a dog had urinated on it. I had no money to buy another book. My heart broke, but I studied for the Civil Services exam with that same book.” says Savitri.Her journey is a powerful reminder that determination and resilience can overcome even the harshest circumstances.

Savitri was born into a poor family in Madhya Pradesh. “Like most children in my village, I studied in a government school. When I passed my tenth class with good marks, my parents finally felt proud and allowed me to take admission in a school in another town.” However, continuing her education was not simple. There was only one bus that went to that town, and it was irregular. Even the fare of ₹2 was something she could not afford. “So I used to walk all the way,” she says in a Josh Talk video. Things improved slightly when her mother took up a job in that town, and the family shifted there. Life became a little easier after that. Savita chose Biology in school because people around her suggested that it would allow her to become a doctor. “I had no exposure or clear understanding, but I worked hard,” she admits.Her life took an unexpected and painful turn when a marriage proposal came from a rich and affluent family. Despite her unwillingness and repeated protests, her parents felt they could not refuse such an offer. She was assured that she would be allowed to continue her studies, but this promise soon proved to be false.

Instead of support, she faced severe hardship. She was treated in an inhuman manner—denied proper food and rest, and forced to work tirelessly day and night. She also suffered physical abuse at the hands of her husband and in-laws. She recalls, “I would hide chapatis in my undergarments and eat them secretly in the bathroom because I was not allowed to eat.” With each passing day, life became more unbearable. “The abuse kept increasing. I could be beaten for anything and everything. Day and night, I suffered physical violence,” she says. In a moment of desperation, when her father came to visit her, she pleaded with him to take her away. “I told him I was afraid they might kill me.” He promised to return by evening and take her home. But he never came back.“That day, I understood that no one will come to save me from this hell,” she says—a realization that marked one of the darkest turning points in her life.By this time, she had become the mother of two children, yet her situation showed little improvement. Dark and disturbing thoughts often crossed her mind. “Sometimes, I would think of killing my in-laws and running away,” she recalls, revealing the depth of her despair.One day, she decided to end her life. “I was about to hang myself when I saw my mother-in-law’s face through the window. She saw me, but remained completely unfazed.” It was a moment of revelation for her. “I realized then that I could not give away my life for such people.”

Summoning courage, Savita finally ran away from her in-laws’ house. She found refuge with her cousin sister-in law, who lived in a very small room with her brother. Though the space was cramped, they supported her during this difficult time. Soon after, her mother also came to live with her and took care of her children, giving Savita a much-needed sense of stability and hope. She started working in a parlor as a helper so that she could learn the work, she then started taking tuitions and completed led her graduation and post graduation struggling to make ends meet.Even during he preparation her husband would not leave him alone.” One day he came during my MA exam. I had come home during the break and was leaving for the second sitting. He started hitting me for no reason and then in urinated in a bucket and threw it on me. At this moment all I was thinking of was my exam. I took bath changed and ran to answer my paper. My heart had truly hardened.” “One day I saw in the newspaper the notification for UPSE exam. I had little idea about the exam but the salary attracted me and I decided to prepare for it. I did not know what it meant becoming an IAS officer, but all I knew was that if I got through this the miseries of me and my children would end.”

Savita cleared the exam in her very first attempt to become an IAS officer. ” Till now no one was concerned about me. But the moment I joined services and was posted in the municipal office, my husband made a comeback. He would come to be, beat me up, take all my money and go away. I silently was bearing it all because I felt embarrassed that how would people respect me and my position if they knew what I was going through.”” I got posted as chief municipal officer and also was given the charge of 4 departments, but I lacked the courage of talking a stand against my husband who would come from time to time, beat me up and go away, taking my money. One day I confided in my then Superintendent of Police Mudgal Sir who gave me a lot of confidence and told me to call him next time when my husband comes.”Savita’s husband returned after a few days and once again began beating her without any reason. This time, however, she took a stand and called her senior officer. Within minutes, they arrived. Seeing her injuries, they dealt with him in the way he deserved. Savita realized that silently enduring such abuse had been one of her biggest mistakes—one she deeply regrets. Now, she wants other women to learn from her experience and never tolerate such injustice. Savita Pradhan stands as an inspiration for millions of people who feel cowed down by the brutalities of life. Her struggles are a reminder that hard work and determination have the power to change one’s fortune.