With a rare bone disorder, IAS aspirant Kerela’s Latheesha Ansari (24), was determined to appear for the UPSC CSE prelims 2019 despite her difficult health condition.
Difficult Health condition
Latheesha was diagnosed with a brittle bone disease – ‘type II Osteogenesis Imperfecta’ – after birth. Her father had to carry the short-statured IAS aspirant to school.
Since over a now, she suffers from pulmonary hypertension and has to depend on an external supply of oxygen. She always has an oxygen cylinder beside her supporting her respiratory needs.
Determined to clear UPSC exam
With strong determination, Lateesha had been preparing for the UPSC exam since past one and half years, she shared in her media statement to a reputed news agency. She has completed her M Com degree and chose Malayalam as her optional subject for the examination.
She aspires to clear the UPSC CSE prelims 2019 given her extraordinary efforts irrespective of her challenging health condition.
Lateesha was accompanied by her parents to the examination center. She entered in a wheelchair, supported by an oxygen cylinder and carrying an inspiring smile.
A need for better facilities
A portable oxygen concentrator was provided to Lateesha inside the examination, the reports confirm. “A portable equipment would be provided to her free of cost for which tender process had been completed,” stated Kottayam District Collector PR Sudheer Babu in his media statement to a reputed news agency.
However, some social workers reason that there is a need to arrange for better facilities.
Latha Nair of Amritavarshini, a charitable Society working for children with the rare genetic disorder, said in her media statement that the UPSC needs to provide better facilities for IAS aspirants like Latheesha. About Rs 25000/- every month is spent on her medical needs.”
UPSC CSE prelims 2019
Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the examination was held on June 2, 2019 in 72 cities across India.