When the devastating 2004 tsunami swept away their home in Tamil Nadu’s Nagercoil, two young sisters—Aishwarya and Sushmita Ramanathan—lost everything except one thing: their father’s unshakable belief in education.
Today, they stand tall as symbols of hope and resilience—one an IAS officer, the other an IPS officer, proving that no tragedy is greater than human willpower.
A Story Born from the Waves of Destruction
The Ramanathan family once lived a peaceful life as farmers near the coast. But the deadly tsunami changed everything overnight—washing away their land, house, and security. Their father, who turned into a daily wage laborer after losing his fields, made one promise to his daughters:
“We may have lost our land, but no one can take away your education.”
With that belief as their foundation, Aishwarya and Sushmita began their long, challenging journey toward India’s most prestigious civil services exam—UPSC.
Aishwarya’s Unyielding Determination
Aishwarya Ramanathan first cracked the UPSC exam in 2018, securing All India Rank 628, earning a place in the Railway Accounts Service. But her goal was higher. She tried again in 2019 and achieved Rank 47 at just 22 years old, becoming an IAS officer in the Tamil Nadu cadre.
Her journey from a tsunami-hit village to a district collector’s office is nothing short of extraordinary.
Sushmita’s Spirit of Perseverance
Her elder sister, Sushmita, faced multiple failures but refused to quit. It was only in her sixth attempt in 2022 that she cracked the UPSC with Rank 528, earning her place in the Indian Police Service (IPS), Andhra Pradesh cadre.
Her persistence turned years of struggle into an inspiring story of patience, grit, and belief.
Their Father’s Unbreakable Faith
Behind their success stands the quiet strength of their father—a farmer who refused to let poverty dictate his daughters’ futures. Working as a farm laborer, he made sure both girls continued their education, no matter the hardship. His determination sowed the seeds for their incredible transformation from victims to victors.
Where They Are Now
IAS Aishwarya Ramanathan: Currently serving as Additional Collector (Development) in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
IPS Sushmita Ramanathan: Posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
Their story reminds us that success is not about where you start—but how fiercely you refuse to give up.
