In present times where a significant well off youngsters cash their precious time in self-indulgence, there is an existing underprivileged group of students who with their iron willpower are breaking all stereotypes to reach golden heights in their career. One of many living examples is the successful civil services aspirants coming from varied backgrounds as low as being a son/daughter of a rickshaw puller or a street vendor.
You might have heard a lot of inspiring stories of IAS aspirants but such 5 stories given below might change the course of your thinking. Let’s recharge our zest for achievement by reading these magnificent stories.
1. Ansar Ahmad Shaikh (21 yrs old)- Auto Driver’s Son
Ansar Ahmad Shaikh has become the youngest candidate to crack the UPSC Civil Services exam at the age of 21 with an all India rank of 361 in his very first attempt in 2015. Ansar sheikh, the son of an auto-rickshaw driver and brother of a mechanic, hails from a marginalised family from the Jalna village of Maharashtra.
Despite his vulnerable economic conditions, Ansar excelled in studies from the very start and landed in the prestigious college course of B. A in Political Science, Pune. Driven by a strong will, he used to work 12 hours a day straight for three consecutive years while preparing for his UPSC exam.
He has defied all odds, including religious discrimination, to crack the most prestigious competitive UPSC examination of India. Coming from a poor conservative Muslim family, his achievement is really worth applauding. He has become a source of inspiration for many poor aspirants trying hard to make a mark in this world of cut-throat competition.
According to this budding civil servant, coming from a backward underdeveloped region and belonging to a minority community has acted more as an insight for him to study the horizontal differences that exist in the society. Moreover, his first-hand tryst with social ostracisation has also provided him with vivid solutions to such deep-rooted problems as an administrator.
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2. Kuldeep Dwivedi (27 yrs old) IRS- Security Guard’s Son
Kuldeep Dwivedi has managed to secure an all India rank 242 in the civil service exam conducted by UPSC in 2015. Kuldeep Dwivedi, son of a security Guard at Lucknow University has proved that no obstacle is too great to stop your will to succeed. His father Surya Kant Dwivedi works at the University of Lucknow as a security guard and struggles to make end meets for his family of five.
But Surya Kant’s feeble economic conditions didn’t stop him from encouraging his son to pursue a career in the most beloved job in the Indian society. He supported his son’s ambition morally as well as economically as much as he could. Even after the results were declared, it was difficult for the whole family to believe that their youngest son has achieved such a great milestone in life.
It took time for Kuldeep Dwivedi to explain to his family what it meant to rank in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He is youngest of three brothers and a sister, wanted to become a Civil Servant since he was a child.
Kuldeep Dwivedi graduated in 2009 from Allahabad University and completed his post graduation in 2011. He has proved that hard work is not dependent on circumstances and keeping faith in the most important ability. His success is a shining example of determination and single-minded focus.
3. Sweta Agarwal - Grocer’s Daughter
This is another heartwarming story of a daughter of a grocer from Bhadreshwar. Sweta Agarwal finally realised her dream of becoming an IAS officer by securing the 19th rank in the UPSC examination in 2015. Her story of struggle is filled with overcoming multiple odds ranging from gaining basic education facilities to becoming one of the top 3 women toppers of UPSC exam 2015. She explains how despite battling poverty, her parents gave her best of education possible. Sweta is extremely proud of her parents and praises the way they taught her to always serve society.
Sweta Agarwal completed her schooling from St Joseph’s Convent Bandel School. After completing her schooling Sweta graduated in Economics from St Xavier’s College Kolkata.
Sweta Agarwal had cracked the UPSC exams twice before but kept her sights on becoming an IAS officer. Sweta feels proud about joining the Bengal cadre and also thinks that most youngsters are staying away from Civil Services barely thinking that they would be made to serve under political bosses instead of the public.
It is often stated that for a girl from a moderate family, it’s very difficult for parents to support their children’s ambitious dreams. But crossing all boundaries of gender bias, Sweta Agarwal and her family is an example of unconditional hard work and perseverance.
4. Nirish Rajput – Tailor’s Son
Nirish Rajput, son of Virendra Rajput (a tailor) was a poor youngster from the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, who overcame massive odds to emerge successful in the Civil Service examination. He proved that poverty is not an impediment to success.
He failed in the previous three attempts at the civil services, but never lost heart. The fourth time, he passed with a rank of 370. He lived in a small house in village Mau in Gohad tehsil of the district and worked odd jobs, even as a newspaper distributor, just to realise his dream of becoming a civil servant.
He did not know how to become an IAS officer, but he knew clearing the country’s top examination can change his fortune. He was confident that poverty cannot be a hurdle for anyone if one has the determination and will to work hard.
He studied in a government school and a modest college in Gwalior. His two elder brothers, who are contractual teachers, started investing most of their savings and energy to make Nirish’s dream come true. He has also proved the impression that only students from public schools alone can do well in these exams is a myth.
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5.Hrudaya Kumar – Farmer's Son
Hrudaya Kumar, a son of a below poverty line farmer from Angulai, a remote village in Kendrapara district of Odisha has secured 1079th rank in the coveted civil service examination 2014. Despite having a underprivileged background, he never looked back and achieved his desired goal. His family lives in a house which they got from Indira Awas Yojana, a social welfare flagship programme of the government.
Hrudaya Kumar has completed his primary and secondary education from government-run-primary and high school respectively. He has passed class 12th with second division marks, but he was good at cricket and had the ambition to pursue a career in the same. He also represented his home district team in the Kalahandi Cup inter-district cricket tournament.
But the destiny was already written for him and the uncertainties associated with pursuing sports career forced him to choose academics. After completion of secondary education, he enrolled in a five-year integrated MCA course at Utkal University. He optimally utilised the environment he got for studies and tried his luck in civil services exam but he failed to secure his name in the merit in his first two attempts.
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Manoj Kumar Roy -From EGG vendor to civil servant
He cleared UPSC Civil service examination in his 4th attempt and now serves an Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS) officer. He spends his weekends grooming poor students of his state to help them crack the UPSC exam. He sold eggs, worked as a vegetable vendor and even mopped the floors of an office to earn a living during his struggling days in Delhi.
K Jayaganesh – From Waiter to IAS
K Jayaganesh failed in the civil service examination six times but never lost heart. But in his last chance, he passed with a rank of 156 and got selected for the Indian Administrative Service.
Jayaganesh hailed from a very poor background in a village in Tamil Nadu, and though he studied to be an engineer, he worked at odd jobs, even as a waiter.
GOVIND JAISWAL – Rickshaw puller’s Son
His father toiled hard, sold off his only piece of land so that Govind could get an education. Complementing his father’s struggle and dream, Govind ranked 48th in the Civil Service Examination, 2006.