Sending a strong message to the Haryanvi society which is known for its obsession towards the male child, daughter of a Rohtak-based chartered accountant ranked fifth in the civil services examination. 

Ruchika Katyal's achievement has brought laurels to Mansarovar locality, and people are celebrating her success together. She is currently pursuing training as IPS in Hyderabad. Her parents Manju and R K Katyal said that they never desired for a son even after becoming parents to two daughters.

"Our family is not prejudiced against girls and we provide them with the best education. Ruchika is the younger sibling. She is living the dream of her grandfather Lakhman Dass who inspired her. I hope her success would spread a message in society and would help convert the biased attitude of people towards the girl child," Katyal said. 

Ruchika did her schooling from Model School in Rohtak and then joined SRCC in Delhi for undergraduation. Afterwards, she went on to complete her CA and ranked third in the country. Urging fellow girls not to be buckled under pressure from society, she said that they must continue to work hard. When asked why she opted to join civil services, she said that civil services provides an opportunity to work within the system and closer to society. "I want to contribute on my behalf to make society a better place to live especially for girls," she said. 

Besides Ruchika, two more girls from Sonipat district have made it to the civil services. Anjali Sherawat from Thru village in Sonipat and Dr Swati Bhanwala, a resident of Kasandi village in Sonipat district, have secured 64th and 425th rank, respectively, in the UPSC list. (Times of India)