Triumph against all odds

Rome: From the dusty villages of Rajasthan, India to the prestigious halls of diplomacy, Amararam Gujar’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Now appointed as India’s High Commissioner -Designate to the Republic of Malawi, Gujar’s path to the diplomatic core of India stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, resilience, and unwavering determination.

Hailing from humble beginnings, his rise to becoming a key representative of India in Africa reflects the transformative power of education, hard work, and the ability to overcome adversity.

Born and raised in a modest rural household in Rajasthan, Gujar’s early years were shaped by financial hardship and the harsh realities of life.

Despite the odds stacked against him, including the loss of his parents at a young age and struggles with systemic injustice, he found a way not just to survive but to thrive. Poverty was not just a companion; it was a way of life, marking every waking moment with struggle.

But this was not to be Amararam’s fate forever. His story embodies the power of perseverance—overcoming the shackles of financial hardship and systemic injustice to rise through the ranks of India’s diplomatic service.

Early struggles and tragedy
In the mid-1990s, Amararam’s life took a harsh turn. After dropping out from school for one year in spite of being the top scorer in the 10th Matric board, he could not continue his study due to lack of financial means and he was forced to work as a labourer in Kandla Port in Gujarat to earn money for his higher studies.  

In October 1995, as he was preparing for his 12th-grade exams, tragedy struck—his father passed away suddenly from a cardiac arrest.

The loss of father at such a critical time left Amararam devastated. More than the grief, it was the weight of family responsibilities that threatened to pull him down. With his father gone, he had to shoulder the burden of providing for his mother, younger sister, and himself.

“I was broken, and for days, I couldn’t find the strength to attend school. The pressure was unbearable, and I was unsure if I would even be able to finish my education,” Amararam recalls.

Yet, this heartbreaking event became the crucible that forged his determination. Against all odds, he emerged with exceptional results, securing the 36th rank in the Rajasthan Senior Secondary Board Exams. It wasn’t just a mark of academic success, but a testament to his resolve to never give up, no matter the cost.

The loss of his father altered his life permanently, but it also galvanised his sense of responsibility. His educational success, in the face of such adversity, set the foundation for what would be a long and hard-fought journey. It was not just a battle for grades—it was a battle for a future, a battle to escape the poverty that had threatened to define his life.

The struggles of education and early work
Following his 12th-grade success, Amararam faced another obstacle: continuing his education without the financial support he needed. He secured admission to a teacher training course, but the financial burden was relentless. The joy of seeing his name on the selection list for the diploma course was short-lived, as the reality of providing for his family while studying set in.

 “I remember the day I saw my name on the list. It was the happiest day of my life because I had been struggling, and that moment symbolised hope. But then the real struggle began,” he says.

To make ends meet, Amararam began teaching private tuition, using the little money he earned to cover the costs of his education. He rode his bicycle to the teacher training college, even as the family was forced to sell their livestock, keeping only a small piece of land to survive. When the holidays came, he worked as a labourer, either on his own land or for others, doing whatever it took to provide for his family.

Despite his commitment to education, destiny dealt a cruel blow.

By 2000, Amararam had completed his teacher training, but the job opportunities were nowhere to be found. In 1998, a new government policy in the state of Rajasthan had changed the appointment system, offering teachers positions on an ad-hoc basis (Para-teacher) rather than permanent roles. Even though he was at the top of the merit list, the job was given to someone with lesser qualifications. This crushing injustice was the final straw, leading Amararam to seek legal recourse.

The legal battle and persistence
In 2002, with nothing but determination in his heart, Amararam sought legal help. A chance encounter with a sympathetic lawyer during a bus ride would change his life forever. The lawyer, moved by Amararam’s plight, agreed to represent him in court. However, the legal battle was far from easy. The lower court dismissed his case, but the lawyer encouraged him to appeal in the high court. Fighting a legal case in High Court was beyond his imagination and reach.

Though the odds were stacked against him, Amararam, whose family had already endured immense hardship, found a renewed sense of hope. The lawyer’s willingness to work for a nominal fee and his insistence on pushing for justice spurred Amararam to continue the fight.

With limited resources, Amararam travelled to Jodhpur to meet with the lawyer, Rajkumari Chundawat, who would represent him in the high court. The process was slow, but the high court eventually ruled in his favour. This victory was significant—not just for Amararam, but as a symbol of resilience in the face of systemic unfairness. It was a hard-fought victory, but one that proved that perseverance could break the chains of injustice.

“I remember walking out of the court that day, feeling as if the weight of the world had lifted off my shoulders. I knew then that no matter how much life had thrown at me, I could overcome it,” says Amararam, reflecting on the moment that changed everything.

But at the same time he was a little disappointed because the decision came very late, by that time he already had a better government job in his hand.
He conveyed that he wished the decision could come in time which could alleviate his suffering from the hardest days which were about to break his confidence and morale.

New beginnings and the road to success
During the legal battle days, Amararam’s life took a new turn. In 2002, he joined a private school, earning a meager Rs 1,000 (OMR 5) a month. His wife and three children depended on him, and he knew that this salary wasn’t enough to provide a stable future. But as the years passed, things began to change. In May 2003, just as he was contemplating a return to Mumbai in search of better opportunities, a letter arrived from the Delhi Subordinate Service Board. It was an appointment letter for a teaching position in the Delhi government.

Amararam’s joy knew no bounds. “I had been so desperate for work, and when the letter came, it felt like a dream come true. I had never expected such a miracle at that moment,” he reflects.

This was the breakthrough he had been waiting for, but it was only the first step in a journey that would demand even greater sacrifices.

His life now had a new focus—he was a teacher, but not content to stop there. In 2005, while working as a teacher, he also appeared for competitive exams, and his efforts bore fruit when he was selected for the Rajasthan Police as a Sub-Inspector. His rank was second-highest in the state—a testament to his determination and academic prowess despite the personal challenges he faced.

The UPSC journey: From police to diplomacy
But Amararam’s ambitions didn’t stop there. In 2007, he appeared for the prestigious UPSC exam, which serves as the gateway to India’s Civil Services. Though he didn’t succeed on his first attempt, his spirit remained unbroken. “I had nothing to lose. I decided to give it my all. This time, I would either make it or die trying,” he says.

In 2008, Amararam’s perseverance paid off, and he was selected for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

This was the culmination of a long and arduous journey from the docks of Kandla Port where he worked as labourer in 1994 to becoming a respected diplomat representing India on the global stage.

Amararam reflects on the UPSC journey: “It wasn’t just about passing exams; it was about everything I had fought for—my family, my dreams, my need to prove that a boy from Rajasthan could rise beyond the odds stacked against him.”

Serving India abroad
Amararam’s diplomatic career has seen him serve in Egypt, Oman, Iraq, Portugal, and now Italy where he is currently posted as Deputy Ambassador. As a diplomat, he has navigated the complexities of international relations, representing India with pride and dedication.

 “I feel immense pride in my work and the opportunity to serve my country. It has been an honor to represent India abroad and to contribute to its growth and diplomacy,” he shares.

Throughout his diplomatic journey, Amararam has faced many challenges—cultural differences, geopolitical tensions, and the pressure of representing a nation.
But his resilience, forged in the crucible of hardship, has enabled him to thrive in these challenging environments. “Every post, every country I’ve served in, has shaped me, but the struggles I faced back home are the ones that truly prepared me for the challenges of diplomacy, and made me a strong person having full conviction to serve the nation’s best interest abroad with commitment and dedication ” he said.

Remembering the past
Although Amararam has achieved much in his life, the loss of his parents and younger sister remains engraved in his heart. His parents, who would have been proud to see his achievements, passed away before they could witness their son’s rise. His younger sister, too, passed away in 2005 during childbirth, a loss that still haunts him.

Despite these tragedies, Amararam finds comfort in knowing that his success is a reflection of the love and support his family gave him throughout his journey, especially his wife Kamla who always stood with him in all circumstances.

“My parents, my sister—they would have been so proud to see where I am today,” he reflects with a heavy heart. “Their sacrifices and support are the foundation of everything I have achieved.”

A story of hope
Amararam’s journey is not just a personal victory but a beacon of hope for millions of others who face adversity every day.

His story is proof that no matter how insurmountable the odds, the human spirit can rise and overcome.

From the shores of Kandla to the diplomatic halls of the world, Amararam Gujar’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, education, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.

In the quiet moments, when Amararam reflects on his life, he remembers the barefoot walks through Rajasthan’s dusty roads under the scorching sun, the heavy burden of responsibility at a young age, and the countless sacrifices that got him to where he is today.

And in those moments, he realises that no matter the hardships, he has become the man he once dreamt of—someone who can inspire others to rise above their struggles and achieve greatness.

As Amararam looks ahead, he continues to serve his country with humility, knowing that the journey from Kandla Port to the world stage is not just about his success, but about giving hope to others, and proving that even the harshest of beginnings can lead to a destiny beyond imagination.