Firdaus Khan

It is only due to her hard work, patience, and confidence that Rukhsana from the Sunari Village in Nuh district of Haryana could become a Judicial Magistrate.

She is seen with much admiration and respect by the Mewati community and across the state. Rukhsana completed her schooling from the Mewat Model School in Taoru.

She joined Aligarh Muslim University for higher education, completing LLB. Her love for studies and her dream of working in the legal field took her to Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, where she completed her Master of Laws (LLM).

Years of continuous learning not only strengthened her foundation but also shaped her determination to pursue her dreams with greater resolve.

Mewat in Haryana is known for its backwardness and lack of resources, but time and again the people of this region have proved that they can realise their dreams with hard work and resilience.

Rukhsana had dreamt of becoming a magistrate since she was in Class 7. Her age was small, but her ambition was enormous. She made this her life’s goal and began preparing accordingly.

In 2021–22, she took the Haryana Judicial Service exam but could not succeed on her first attempt. She then appeared for the Uttar Pradesh Judicial Service exam, where she was dropped at the interview stage.

Rukhsana receiving an award from the community

Two failures can shake anyone’s courage, but Rukhsana refused to let this weaken her spirit. She steadied herself, improved her preparation, and once again entered the exam arena with full determination. This time she appeared for the West Bengal Public Service Commission’s Judicial Service exam and secured the third rank in the entire state, proving that hard work never goes in vain.

Her selection as a Judicial Magistrate was not only a moment of great pride for her family but for all of Mewat. Rukhsana says the biggest credit for her success goes to her family. When she told her father about her dream of becoming a judge at such a young age, he was overjoyed.

He supported her at every step—enrolling her in the best institutions, focusing on her education, and never letting her feel discouraged. Rukhsana believes that education is the most essential tool for girls because it makes them self-reliant. According to her, education and skill are two things that give strength to any individual and can take them to heights they themselves might never have imagined.

Rukhsana receiving another award

Rukhsana appeals to girls and their parents not to put any obstruction in the path of girls education. She says many people think that since they also have to spend on their daughters’ marriage, they should not invest much in their education.

She says the truth is that money spent on a child’s education is the best investment—it remains useful for life. She adds that the nation needs an honest judiciary, and she will try her best to serve the country with full integrity.

Her father, Mohammad Ilyas, who served as Senior Manager in Sarv Haryana Gramin Bank, recalls that his wife wanted their daughter to be married soon after Class 12. But Rukhsana wanted to study further.

Local social organisation honouring Rukhsana

He supported her, convinced his wife, and sent Rukhsana away from home for higher studies. Watching her dedication, he always believed that she would achieve something remarkable. When Rukhsana reached Nuh and received a grand welcome at the District Bar Association, it was an unforgettable moment for him.

People congratulated him for his daughter’s success, and he felt immense pride. He says she not only brought honor to the family but also proved that even a girl from a small village can reach great heights.

Rukhsana’s younger sister, Dilshana, is following in her footsteps. She too studied Class 10 from Mewat Model School, and completed her BA and LLB from Aligarh Muslim University, followed by an LLM from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Rukhsana with her family

She is preparing for the judicial services and recently reached the interview stage of the Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service exam, securing a place on the waiting list. Both sisters have excelled not only in academics but also in sports and were top athletes in Aligarh and nearby areas.

Rukhsana’s story is not just the story of one girl’s success—it is the triumph of a mindset that believes in empowering daughters. It is an inspiring tale that teaches us that no matter how big the struggle is, dreams should be even bigger. Today, this daughter of Mewat stands as a symbol of hope for all girls who aspire to achieve something meaningful in life.

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Her journey conveys a powerful message: education, hard work, and determination can open any door.