Vadakara: Sharika MK of Keezhariyur in Kozhikode has scripted history by being the first person with congenital cerebral palsy to crack the civil service exam. The turning point in Sharika's life came when she was selected for Project Chithrashalabham (butterfly), an initiative by writer and motivational speaker Dr Jobin S Kottaram, also the founder of Absolute IAS Academy.

Sharika could move only three fingers on her left hand. She overcame the disability to clear the exam. Sharika, who uses a wheelchair, is the daughter of Eremmankandi Sasi and Rakhi. Plus-Two student Devika is her sister.

The UPSC winner attended classes online and offline in Thiruvananthapuram. She excelled in the interview held in Delhi on January 30 after clearing the mains.

Dr Jobin Kottaram initiated Project Chithrashalabham after releasing the low representation of the differently-abled in administrative service, though they account for about three crores of the Indian population. Last year, Sherin Shahana, who was partially paralysed following an accident, cleared the civil service exam.