Education

IIE DIGITAL: A foreign policy seminar in Dhaka recently became the centre of attention after an incorrect map displayed Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan despite the presence of senior diplomats and government officials. Among those attending the event was Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Pooja Kumari Jha, who immediately objected to the depiction. Without hesitation, she firmly stated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, drawing widespread attention to the 29-year-old diplomat.

Pooja Kumari Jha is a 2022-batch Indian Foreign Service officer and is currently serving as the Second Secretary (Politics and Information) at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. During the foreign-led seminar, she noticed the inaccurate map being presented and promptly raised India's objection. She made it clear that the depiction was factually incorrect and did not reflect India's official position on Jammu and Kashmir.

Her intervention reportedly left several Bangladeshi officials surprised, prompting senior diplomat Tariq A. Karim to address the matter on behalf of the organisers. He clarified that the map had been displayed only as a symbolic illustration and was not intended to represent the actual international boundary. While the incident raised questions over the organisers' handling of the seminar, Pooja earned widespread appreciation for defending India's stand with confidence and composure.

The incident also brought renewed attention to Pooja's inspiring journey from a humble background to one of India's prestigious diplomatic services. Raised in a modest family in Delhi, she overcame financial challenges through hard work and determination. In 2021, she cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination on her very first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 82 at just 25 years of age. Speaking about her achievement, she had said that clearing one of the country's toughest examinations from the background she came from was a matter of immense pride.

Pooja has often credited her father as the greatest source of encouragement in her life. She recalled that he never restricted her ambitions and always motivated her to pursue whatever career she dreamed of. According to her, he would often tell her that she could become anything she wanted, whether it was a Bollywood actor, an astronomer or a civil servant. His belief in her abilities gave her the confidence to pursue her goals.

She is the fifth among six siblings and the fifth daughter in her family. Her younger brother is the only son. Her father worked as an office assistant in a private company in Gurugram for nearly four decades, while her mother is a homemaker. Growing up, Pooja experienced financial hardships and also witnessed the gender bias that existed within society, experiences that deeply influenced her outlook on life.

Reflecting on her childhood, Pooja has spoken openly about growing up in an environment where sons were often valued more than daughters. Although her parents tried their best to treat all their children equally, she noticed how society celebrated the birth of a boy while remaining comparatively silent when a girl was born. Those experiences encouraged her and her sisters to focus on education and build independent identities through their achievements.

Determined not to let her circumstances define her future, Pooja began learning spoken English on her own while studying in Class VIII so that language would never become a barrier because she had studied in government schools. Her dedication and academic excellence later earned her the opportunity to study under the non-profit organisation Avanti Fellows, where she received guidance for competitive examinations and strengthened her preparation for the UPSC.

Despite securing a rank that could have earned her a place in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Pooja deliberately chose the Indian Foreign Service because she wanted to represent India on international platforms and contribute to the country's diplomatic relations. Today, as Second Secretary (Politics and Information) at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, she plays an important role in monitoring political developments, strengthening India-Bangladesh relations, supporting strategic communication and advancing India's diplomatic interests.

From overcoming financial struggles and social prejudice to representing India on the global stage, Pooja Kumari Jha's journey reflects determination, resilience and dedication to public service. Her recent stand at the Dhaka seminar has further strengthened her reputation as a confident diplomat and has inspired many young aspirants preparing for the Civil Services Examination.