5 UPSC Aspirants Who Fought All Odds To Become IAS-IPS Officers Are True Inspiration
It is a widely held belief that everyone encounters challenging phases in life. However, unwavering dedication to a goal can surmount any obstacles. In India, countless individuals endure hardship, yet the depth of poverty remains unfathomable. True inspiration arises from those who prove that success is not an overnight phenomenon. They demonstrate that ardor, relentless effort, and commitment pave the path to accomplishment. These individuals have transcended poverty to achieve remarkable feats, ascending to the esteemed positions of IPS and IAS officers through their triumph over the rigorous UPSC civil services examination.
One such exemplar is Mohammad Ali Shihab, a member of the 2011 IPS batch. Hailing from the remote village of Edavannappara in Kerala, he was raised in an orphanage due to financial constraints. His early life involved peddling betel leaves and bamboo baskets with his father. Despite these challenges, he dedicated himself to learning, evolving his skills over time. From humble beginnings as a peon and a clerk to eventually becoming a government schoolteacher, his journey culminated in a remarkable achievement—an All-India Rank of 226 in the UPSC civil service examination.
Shweta Agarwal's upbringing in the Hooghly district of West Bengal was marked by limited resources, with basic study materials often out of reach. Her parents, modest grocery traders, could only provide so much. Attending St. Joseph Convent School and later St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, she overcame financial barriers. Her resilience paid off with an outstanding 19th rank in the 2015 UPSC examination, leading her to become an IAS officer.
Gopal Krishna Ronanki, a 29-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, achieved a remarkable feat by securing the third position in the 2016 UPSC civil service examination. Born to a financially disadvantaged farmer in Parasamba Village, Srikakulam district, Gopal's ascent defied his modest beginnings.
Shikha Surendran, hailing from a small village in Ernakulam, Kerala, drew strength from her father's assertion that education was the path to prosperity. Her journey included pursuing B.Tech and relocating to Delhi for UPSC preparation. Reliant on self-study, her efforts culminated in an impressive 16th rank in the 2017 UPSC examination.
Shivguru Prabhakaran, originating from a village in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, faced resource limitations that forced him to alter his aspirations and pursue engineering. Overcoming significant challenges, including work as a sawmill operator and farming, he saved for higher education by sleeping at a railway station. His tenacity led him to achieve an M.Tech. from IIT-Madras in 2014, and eventually, he conquered the UPSC examination in 2017.
These stories underscore the power of determination and resilience in the face of adversity. They stand as beacons of hope, inspiring us to embrace passion and hard work as the keys to attaining our aspirations, regardless of the challenges that life presents.