Abandoned at Birth, Now Eyeing IPS: Kaveri’s SSC Success Fuels Her Dreams

Pune, 14th May 2025: Kaveri, now 17, was just a baby when she was found abandoned in the city. On Tuesday, she achieved a remarkable 66.6% in her SSC exams, demonstrating that with determination, even limited resources cannot hinder success.

In 2021, the government decided to move Kaveri from a private shelter home to the government-run observation home for girls in Mundhwa. Since then, she has called the facility her home. “I studied with borrowed textbooks. The staff at the observation home, along with some NGOs, provided me with notebooks. I stayed away from the other girls to focus on my studies, often studying late into the night,” shared Kaveri, a student at a PMC-run school near the observation home.

Pritam Barbhavan, the superintendent of the observation home, commended Kaveri’s success, stating, “She is the only one among the nine residents here who appeared for the SSC exam. While a few of the other girls are continuing their studies, others are not interested in education, despite our constant efforts to emphasize its importance.”

Barbhavan highlighted how Kaveri’s perseverance, despite the facility’s limited resources, was key to her achievement. The observation home supported her by providing access to computers and a quiet study environment to aid her focus.

Kaveri credited her success to consistent self-study, dedicating four to five hours each day, particularly focusing on mathematics. “I didn’t have access to private coaching, but I worked hard and did my best. I plan to pursue commerce in the future and aim to become an IPS officer. I will continue to study hard to crack the UPSC exam,” she shared with Times of India.

Suchita Patil, the probation officer at the observation home, along with Barbhavan, frequently visited Kaveri’s school and attended her meetings to provide support.
Reflecting on her past, Kaveri said, “I don’t know anything about my family. I have come to terms with being alone. But now, I am happy. My life is moving forward, and I am focused on my future.”

Kaveri’s inspiring journey from abandonment to academic success stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of unwavering determination.