Beyond the Final Frontier: RedefiningOur Own Limits

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal—it’s the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill 

These words keep me going. Life rarely hands us perfect moments, but every step can serve a greater purpose.  Speaking at TEDx Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies on 23rd April 2025 was one such moment. As a proud Delhi University alumna, it felt personal—returning not just to my roots, but to inspire future changemakers.

I feel grateful for the opportunity to connect with the youth and inspire them through shared experiences and reflections. 

The theme, Beyond the Final Frontier, wasn’t just poetic; it was a call to explore both the unknown and the unexplored within us. Each step forward, no matter how small, contributes to transformation. And that’s where true impact begins. 

Redefining the Final Frontier 

When we hear the words “final frontier,” most of us instinctively think of outer space—of astronauts venturing into the unknown, of distant galaxies and black holes. Space has long been a metaphor for the most ambitious human pursuits. But in truth, the most daunting frontiers are not external—they’re internal. 

The real final frontier is the voice that tells us we’re not good enough, the fear that keeps us from speaking our truth, the dreams we defer out of fear of failure. It’s the moment before the leap, the silence before the confession, the question we never dared to ask. These frontiers aren’t out there; they’re right

here, living within us. And going beyond them is not a singular act of courage—it is a repeated practice of belief. 

Serving with Empathy: My Emotional Frontier in Tripura 

Leadership often focuses on external milestones—policies, targets, and reforms. But my true frontier emerged in the quiet, emotional core of public service. 

As District Magistrate of Gomati, Tripura (2014–15), we launched Nandini under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao—a women-centric initiative. Initiatives like these, which aim to address deep-rooted behavioural and mindset issues in society, require not just policy execution but thoughtful and adaptive strategies tailored to the local context. 

And to do that, we took a collaborative approach—uniting rural development, panchayats, women and child welfare, healthcare, and more—to protect the girl child and promote their education. From building crèches for working mothers to organizing girls-only festivals and women-led polling booths, every step aimed at making women feel heard, supported, and empowered.

That journey taught me the final frontier in leadership isn’t just systems or strategy—it’s emotional intelligence. The ability to listen, stay grounded in chaos, and lead not just with the mind, but with the heart. 

Because behind every policy is a person—and real leadership begins where empathy meets action. 

You Don’t Need to Be in Space to Feel Stuck 

The truth is, most of us won’t travel to space, but we’ve all felt stranded—emotionally, mentally, even spiritually. You can be surrounded by people, consumed by activity, distracted by endless scrolling, and still feel lost. Perhaps your frontier is choosing a career. Or living under the pressure of expectations that don’t align with who you are. You don’t need zero gravity to feel off balance—life itself can be destabilizing. But just like Sunita Williams, we are all built for more than just survival. We are wired for resilience. Every time we take a step forward despite the fear, every time we stay when we want to run or speak when silence feels safer—we are going beyond our own frontiers. 

The Three Mindsets of Frontier-Breakers 

In my journey—from UPSC preparing to serving in complex administrative setups—I’ve learned that breaking frontiers isn’t about extraordinary talent. It’s about building the right mindset. While preparing the pointers, I found myself reflecting on what I believe are three core philosophies the Three I’s: Inquire, Improvise, Inspire. 

1. Inquire Like an Explorer 

Most breakthroughs begin with a question, not a plan. The world’s explorers, scientists, and changemakers all dared to ask: What if things could be different? 

Take Mr. Anand Kumar. In 2002, with no major backing, he started Super 30, asking: What if underprivileged kids could crack IIT-JEE? That one question launched a revolution. In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Shri—not just for teaching, but for proving brilliance has no class boundaries. 

In 2008, I left a corporate job—with Law and CS degrees in hand—to follow a question that kept surfacing: What if I could serve my nation directly? That question pulled me toward civil services—a life of purpose over predictability. 

The world will always have opinions. Let your “What if?” be louder than your “What will they say?” 

2. Improvise Like a Grower

Being a grower means staying open to learning, even when things don’t go as planned. I didn’t clear UPSC on my first attempt in 2006. It stung—but I treated it as feedback, not failure. I reassessed, adapted, and cleared the exam in 2007. 

Growth isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing better. You don’t always need to start over; sometimes you just need to pivot. Growers evolve. They turn setbacks into stepping stones. 

Progress matters more than perfection. Fail forward. Grow through what you go through. 

3. Inspire Like a Servant Leader 

Some of the most powerful inspiration comes not from leading the way, but from walking with others. That’s what leadership is all about. When I joined as Deputy Commissioner of Jhajjar district, Haryana (2017–18), I could sense the patriarchal beliefs embedded in the social fabric. It made the work environment uniquely challenging—but also deeply meaningful. 

Leadership, for me, was never confined to an office. It was about connection, trust, and empowerment. 

Think of Mr. Chewang Norphel, who built artificial glaciers in Ladakh to tackle water scarcity. Long before being awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, he was quietly transforming lives—serving out of compassion, not for applause. 

True leadership isn’t about visibility—it’s about impact. It listens, uplifts, and leaves a legacy of change. 

The Silent Frontier: Mental Health 

There is one frontier we rarely talk about—and that’s mental health. In our society, hustle is glorified, burnout is romanticized, and silence is mistaken for strength. During my UPSC journey, I had days when spells of anxiety hit

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my mind. I wasn’t weak—I was emotionally exhausted. Coming from Haryana, where women are often expected to follow rigid social scripts, the pressure felt twofold. I wasn’t just preparing for an exam; as a woman, I was also confronting challenges, breaking stereotypes, reshaping narratives, and carrying the hopes of many. But even in those moments of emotional fatigue, I learned that healing is not optional. Rest is not a reward—it is a right. We must normalise seeking help. We must affirm that mental wellness is foundational to any frontier we hope to cross. 

Emotional Intelligence: The Real Differentiator 

In a world ruled by algorithms, emotional intelligence is our true edge. Machines can process data—but not emotions. Our ability to listen, empathize, resolve conflict, and lead with compassion is what sets us apart. 

Whether you’re a coder, creator, entrepreneur, or civil servant—empathy is your strength, not a distraction. 

Daniel Goleman, a great psychologist and author, gave the world five components of Emotional Intelligence which can help in understanding it’s true meaning. 

1. Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding your own emotions and how they influence your thoughts and actions. 

2. Self-regulation: The ability to control or redirect disruptive emotions and impulses. 

3. Motivation: The internal drive to pursue and achieve goals.

4. Empathy: The capacity to sense and understand the emotions of others. 

5. Social skills: The ability to manage relationships and communicate effectively with others.

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These aren’t just leadership traits—they’re life skills. The next revolution won’t just be technological. It will be emotional—and it will belong to those who lead with heart as well as mind. 

Shikhar ka Safar: The Inner Summit 

People often ask me about my “Shikhar”—my summit. But I’ve come to realise that the real peak isn’t a title or award. It’s the peace of knowing you stayed true to your purpose. 

Before joining the civil services, I was on a steady corporate path with degrees in law and company secretaryship. Yet something felt missing. I didn’t want to stay confined to boardrooms—I wanted to be out in the field, solving real problems. I wanted to contribute directly to making society better and be part of the change I want to see in the future. 

This journey had its own challenges. And, there were moments in the spotlight, but also many quiet sacrifices. The true milestones are not the ones framed on walls—they’re the lives touched, and the smiles earned through service. 

The Collective Frontier: Nation Building 

Ultimately, the greatest frontier is not individual success, but collective progress. From serving in the remote tribal regions of Tripura to addressing gender challenges in Haryana, I’ve witnessed how deeply embedded some societal issues are. But I’ve also seen immense potential—in the determination of youth, the courage of women, and the aspirations of people around. 

The real calling today is not just to chase personal ambition, but to align it with the needs of the nation. India doesn’t just need professionals—it needs purposeful citizens. Whether you’re building startups, shaping policies, or creating learning spaces, do it with intent. Let your goals reflect the hopes of the people around you. Lead with empathy. Serve with urgency. 

Conclusion: The Journey Begins With You 

As I concluded my talk, I looked at the young faces in the room and saw not just potential, but power. You are not just the future—you are the now. And the journey beyond the final frontier begins not with a rocket launch, but with a decision. To push your limits. To grow through your pain. To rise when it’s easier to rest. The world doesn’t just need leaders. It needs leaders who care. Leaders who dare. And leaders who never forget where they came from. 

So ask yourself—what is your final frontier? And are you ready to go beyond?