Born in Maharashtra’s Ralegan village and known for people-centric initiatives, IAS Vijay Amruta Kulange braved big odds to crack UPSC. His father was a tailor and his mother was a daily farm worker.

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Money was always scarce, and even bare necessities were unimaginable. “My sister and I may have never had any toys in our childhood, but we never lacked the stationery required to attend the local Zilla Parishad school. The school was always a priority,” says Vijay.

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As an IAS officer, he made his village COVID-free, protected villagers in Ganjam during cyclone Yaas, reduced child marriage, generated employment, and much more.

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“It wasn’t easy, but I was willing to work hard for it, and was determined to succeed. That is what got me through,” he says.

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