How Failing UPSC Turned Kajal Srivastava’s Life Around and Made Her a Martial Arts Legend!

From Despair to Empowerment: Kajal Srivastava’s Transformative Journey Through Kalaripayattu

With only 0.2% pass percentage, the UPSC examination is still a dream of many and lakhs of students prepare for this examination every year, hoping that one day they will make their parents proud by serving the nation. In 2021, over 13,000 students died to suicide in India, averaging more than 35 daily. This represents a 4.5% increase from 12,526 deaths in 2020. Of the 10,732 student suicides recorded, 864 were attributed to "failure in examination," according to the NCRB’s ADSI report 2021.

Living in a society where “performance pressure” can be overpowering students are not able to face failure and resort to ending their lives. Kajal Srivastava’s story stands out as an example of perseverance and transformation. It begins similarly as thousands of middle class family girls who are exceptionally well in academics and dream to qualify UPSC exam. She dreamt to be an IPS officer and placed all her efforts into achieving it. After graduating from Hansraj college, Delhi, she got admission in a prestigious coaching institute in Rajendra Nagar for the preparation. Leaving behind the comforts of home, she committed herself to preparing for the UPSC exams while enduring a cramped room with minimal facilities and paying a ₹14,000 monthly rent. Despite spending ₹2 lakh on coaching, she failed to clear the prelims in 2014 and 2015. Society's blame for wasting her parents' hard-earned money added to her stress, exacerbating her anxiety and leading to poor physical health as she skipped meals and isolated herself from friends. 
 

At 32, she immersed herself in books, leaving no time unspent and despite reappearing for the UPSC in 2016, an appendicitis operation costed her a valuable year. Her fourth attempt in 2017 also ended in failure, despite strong performance in coaching exams, as she blanked out during the actual test and made mistakes. After six failed attempts, the cumulative pressure and self-doubt severely impacted her mental and emotional health, leading her to question her worth and led her to consider abandoning her aspirations.
 

She contemplated ending her life not because of the exam failures, but from the exhaustion of constantly trying to prove herself. On the brink of jumping from the 8th floor for instant peace, her sister intervened and guided her towards a new path filled with fresh opportunities. Amidst the chaos, Kajal discovered Kalaripayattu, an ancient South Indian martial art famed for its holistic approach to physical and emotional health. The martial art has traditionally been understood as a technique that combines physical fitness, mental discipline, and spiritual progress. As a child she was fascinated by lathbaaji and after guided by a yoga practitioner she joined gurukulam to learn martial arts.
 

What began as a curious exploration evolved into a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing. Through rigorous Kalaripayattu practice, she not only alleviated her spondylitis and thyroid issues but also improved her mental well-being. Her guru, Shinto Mathew, instilled confidence in her, leading her to master advanced metal weaponry.
She now teaches Kalaripayattu, helping over 2,000 people overcome trauma, anxiety, and stress through her workshops. Kajal recently launched “Swadesi SportsWear,” aiming to replace synthetic activewear with natural fibers. Reflecting on her journey, she believes the art saved her life, viewing her past exam failures as mere setbacks. She proudly embraces her new path and is grateful for the direction her life has taken.

Editor’s Note:

Kajal Srivastava's experience exemplifies the healing and changing power of Kalaripayattu. After six failed UPSC tries, Kajal found renewed hope and strength in this ancient martial technique. Her experience demonstrates not just the significant impact of Kalaripayattu on personal empowerment, but also her dedication to assisting others in overcoming their own challenges. Kajal's incredible journey from despair to empowerment is an encouraging example of perseverance and the significant benefits of using holistic techniques for mental and physical well-being.
Skoobuzz encourages all students to view competitive exams as a part of their journey, not the entirety of their lives. Embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth, but remember that your worth and potential extend far beyond any single test. Keep pushing forward, stay resilient, and let your experiences shape you into a well-rounded individual.