Shahana was a researcher in International Relations at the University of Calicut.
In 2017, Sherin Shahana TK fell from the terrace of her home in Kerala’s Wayanad and was bedridden for a year and a half after the accident.
Sherin Shahana TK, a resident of Kambalakkad village in Wayanad district of Kerala, has set an example for all by taking 913th place in the recently released government exam results despite being confined to a wheelchair due to an unfortunate accident chained. In 2017, Sherin Shahana TK fell from the terrace of her house and was bedridden for a year and a half after the accident.
Despite all the difficulties, she was determined to pursue her childhood dream of a career in government.
In an interview, Shahana expressed a need to accept herself and her circumstances, acknowledging that her current life had greater meaning. Bedridden and then confined to a wheelchair during her time, she found solace in a unique dream of passing the UPSC exam and her world was confined to just her mother.
Shahana’s mother, Anima, had limited formal education, she had studied until grade 4, and her late father, Usman, never had the chance to attend school. Her father passed away in 2015. Financial difficulties forced her two older sisters to end their studies after grade 10. However, their elder sister, Jalisha, continued her studies despite all the difficulties and she is now a researcher in mathematics.
Shahana, on the other hand, received her early education at a local government school before pursuing her higher studies at a college in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad. She successfully completed a postgraduate degree in political science. Sadly, the 2017 accident left her paralyzed, but she found comfort in the support of her friends and well-wishers. Despite the tragic incident, she persevered and passed the UGC-NET exam, which enabled her to resume her academic journey.
She then joined as a researcher in International Relations at the University of Calicut. In 2020, Shahana joined the Absolute IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram. The academy offered a specialized program called “Butterfly,” designed specifically for aspiring civil service students with disabilities. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she managed to attend coaching classes and continue her preparations for government service.