Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia

Sullia, Sep 2: Growing up in poverty, losing her father at a young age, and carrying the weight of family responsibilities did not stop Sushmitha, a village girl from Aranthodu, from achieving her dream. She has now been selected to serve the nation by joining the Border Security Force (BSF), bringing pride to Sullia taluk.

Sushmitha, the elder daughter of late Nagappa Gowda M A and Janaki from Meladtale, Bedrupane in Aranthodu, cleared the SSC-GD exam to secure a place in the BSF.

Her parents worked as daily wage laborers to educate Sushmitha and her younger sister Nishmitha. The sudden death of her father four years ago struck the family hard. At the time, she was in her final year of graduation and was forced to take on the family’s responsibility. After completing her degree, she took up a job at a tiles shop while also supporting her sister’s education.

Persistence pays off

Alongside her private job, Sushmitha pursued her passion to wear the uniform and serve the country. She appeared for multiple recruitment exams including police, military, and forest guard positions. Finally, her determination paid off as she cleared the SSC-GD exam and earned a place in the BSF.

Life amid fear of wild elephants

Bedrupane in Aranthodu, where Sushmitha hails from, is a remote village about 25 km from the taluk center. The area, with only about 25 families, lacks basic facilities such as network coverage, stable electricity, and proper roads. Residents also live under constant threat of wild animals.

Wild boars and elephants frequently roam the region. Sushmitha has had multiple encounters with elephants. On one occasion, while returning home from work, she came face-to-face with an elephant on the road. She narrowly escaped by swiftly turning her two-wheeler and speeding away.

'I will study further'

“Getting a job requires continuous study and effort. That dedication helped me succeed. My dream of joining the Indian armed forces has finally come true. If given the opportunity, I aspire to rise to higher ranks in the service,” said Sushmitha, the young woman selected for the BSF.