Civil Services Topper Ettaboyina Sai Shivani's Thoughtful Answer to a Question on God and Injustice
Ettaboyina Sai Shivani, a young woman from Khila Warangal, Telangana, secured the 11th rank in the Civil Services Examination and brought pride to the Telugu-speaking states. During her interview, she faced a particularly thought-provoking question from the interview board.
Quoting a verse from the Bhagavad Gita—“Sambhavāmi Yuge Yuge,” attributed to Lord Krishna—the board asked, “If God promises to appear whenever there is a decline in righteousness, then why is God not coming now, when there are so many injustices and unlawful acts taking place in society?”
Responding with maturity and clarity, Ettaboyina Sai Shivani said, “There is a degree of goodness in every individual within society. When people come forward to help those in need at the right time, they themselves become equivalent to God. God does not need to arrive from somewhere else. Every person who lends a helping hand is as good as God.”
Coming from a middle-class background, Ettaboyina Sai Shivani achieved this remarkable success on her second attempt. She attributed her accomplishment to three years of rigorous preparation and the unwavering support of her family and friends. She also emphasized that overcoming stress during the interview process was a crucial factor in attaining a top rank.