Married at 19 yrs, IAS Sudha Devi suffered a fractured relationship and domestic violence and underwent a traumatic divorce. But this gritty lady, rearranged her priorities and toiled hard to become a part of the elite Civil Services (HP:2003:100 AIR). Of course, this wasn’t as easy as it sounds, rather it took her great efforts to gather herself bit-by-bit.

WITC brings to you a lifesketch of IAS Sudha Devi, Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare &  Department of Personnel, Himachal Pradesh on emerging like a Phoenix.

As young girl

I was like any other girl my age – cheerful, happy-go-lucky, studious and an obedient daughter to a father from an agri-business community in Tamil Nadu. By the time I was 19 years, my father, G Muthu, suffered from an irreversible medical condition. In despair, my mother married me off to a local groom.

Tumults marriage

Usually newly-wed girls have beautiful dreams in their eyes, but I was not so fortunate. My situation was abusive and domestic violence was routine. After a few weeks, my husband suffered a paralytic attack. As time passed, I busied myself with attending to ailing husband, household chores, and dealing with in-laws during the days while nights witnessed my sobs and tears under the sheets. Soon, my daughter was born and I never thought of getting out of the rut. But wise men say, ‘Time is the biggest game-changer’.

Eternal supporters

Had it not been for my sister Vimala and brother-in-law Boopathy, my life would have continued - just mechanical, abusive and with no ray of hope. After a few years, my brother-in-law and sister, who lived in Jaipur, talked sense into me and brought me back home. They encouraged me to complete my graduation and post graduation (from Delhi) and I even cleared Civil Services in first attempt. They took my six-months-old daughter and planned their family accordingly. They also have a son. My daughter is now a practising doctor and happily married.

Second Chance

After entering Civil Services, I had no plans to remarry. But universe had other plans. I had to rearrange my thoughts when my batchmate and Forest Officer Satish N (TN: 2003) proposed. We have an 11-year-old son Arav Karthik. 

Life is my guru

God always has better plans for us when life springs uncertainties. So, I don’t plan much and take each day as it comes. My strength is my family apart from my positivity which is also my core strength. When UPSC interview panel asked about my performance in Civil Services after gaps in academic and personal front setbacks’ I answered “I want to prove to myself that I can be positive-come-what-may”.  I made my father proud than any son could have done.

Benevolent Himachalis  

Himachal has been extremely kind and accommodative. Even my seniors and other people are very nice here. I can say Himachalis treat their women officers very well. They are compassionate and very understanding.