In a society, where daughters are treated as a liability, it is quite inspiring how this father and mother pushed all their three daughters to reach their true potential to become IAS officers.
The inspiring story of how late Professor JC Anand and his wife Savitri supported their three daughters in creating history is the best parenting lesson that we all need.
Father & Mother Who Believed In Their Daughters
Dr. Jagdish Chander Anand, father of three daughters – Meenakshi, Urvashi, and Keshni – was a highly respected professor of political science at Panjab University. He and his wife were champions of education and encouraged their daughters to study and become independent.
While sharing how Professor JC Anand shaped his daughters’ future, Keshni mentioned:
“My father, a political science professor, used to teach us. He wanted all his three daughters to become IAS officers. Meenakshi, Urvashi and me — we all studied political science and had it as one of the optional subjects in the civil services. There was an atmosphere in the family. We never took coaching,”
Recalling how their father personally invested so much time and energy into teaching his daughters at home, Keshni said:
“Since political science was his subject, we all took that as one of the subjects in the civil services exam. He taught us the other subjects too,”
But, it wasn’t only their father, who really supported them. It was their mother, Savitri, too. While talking about her mother, she mentioned:
“My mother and father were determined to educate us and ensure we had independent careers rather than getting us married after graduation.”
“My mother, a housewife, realised that if one is educated, one can start afresh anywhere and education is empowerment.”
“She used to cut clippings of our news from newspapers. Parents used to believe in women empowerment” .
Further adding how her parents focused on creating a good atmosphere for their kids at home, she mentioned:
“The atmosphere at our home was of only studies. When television became available, our parents did not buy it. We never went to any academy for tuitions. I guess having the right atmosphere at home is the most essential aspect for children to study.”
How These 3 Daughters Created History
To make sure that they turn parents’ dream into reality all three daughters left no stones unturned. Each of them not only topped their post-graduation in Political Science but also cleared the Civil Services Examination in the first attempt and were allotted the Haryana cadre.
Keshni’s eldest sister, Meenakshi Anand Chaudhary was a 1969-batch officer whereas Urvashi Gulati belonged to the 1975-batch. Keshni, herself is a 1983-batch officer.
“Meenakshi and Urvashi came in the top 20s in the civil services exam, whereas I stood second,” said Arora.
Meenakshi Anand Chaudhary was the first woman Chief Secretary of Haryana. Following her footsteps, her elder sister Urvashi Gulati, 1975-batch IAS officer, also held this position.
Meenakshi retired from the post of Chief Secretary in 2005, while Urvashi held the post till 2012. And, when 1983-batch IAS officer Keshni took over as Haryana’s new Chief Secretary in 2019, she made history by becoming the third sister from a family to hold the top administrative post of the state.
The Bottom Line
Though their parents are no more, it is quite inspiring how they rather than treating their daughters as a burden, focused on their future. They are the role models that our society needs. We hope many more would seek inspiration from these parents and support their daughters in achieving their true potential!