22-YO Son of Petrol Pump Worker Beat All Odds To Crack UPSC in 1st Attempt!

Source: thebetterindia.com

5 April 2019, marked a very important day in the lives of over 759 candidates (577 men and 182 women) who cleared the coveted Union Public Service Commission exam. One step closer to their dream of serving the country in various roles like IAS, IPS, IFS, among others, future aspirants find succor in the success stories of those who rose up to the challenge and beat it.

Among these stories, stands out the tale of Indore’s Pradeep Singh. One of the youngest candidates appearing for the UPSC 2018 exams, Pradeep, the son of a petrol pump serviceman, cracked the exams in his first attempt at the age of 22!

In an exclusive interview with The Better India, Pradeep recalls how his father, Manoj Singh, who originally hailed from the town of Gopalganj in Bihar, migrated to Indore in 1991 in search of better education and employment.

Though the family had ancestral land, farming brought no steady income. The women of the household stayed back and took care of the land, while men migrated to bigger cities for employment to sustain their families.

Manoj took up the humble job of a petrol pump serviceman to make ends meet. In 1996, when Pradeep was born, he spent the first few years in Gopalganj. But for education, he moved to Indore with the rest of his family. From studying at a CBSE school to completing his B.Com (Hons) from IIPS DAVV, he spent the formative years of his life in Indore.

When I asked him how the decision to pursue UPSC came about, he laughs.

“Growing up, I didn’t know what UPSC or an IAS officer was. But my parents often spoke with delight about the success stories of aspirants who had cracked the exams to become ‘afsars’ (officers). I would look on in awe at the joy on their faces as they tried to fathom how proud the parents of these achievers would have felt to see their children crack one of the toughest exams in the country and serve the nation.”

It was at that moment that Pradeep knew, he wanted to be the reason for the same pride and joy on his parents’ faces. The dutiful son wanted it all for his loving parents.

Pradeep recalls the last wish of his late grandfather who, on his deathbed, told Pradeep and his older brother to educate themselves and achieve something on their merit and hard work.

Another source of motivation was the change Pradeep witnessed first hand.

Moving to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC was a big decision. From coaching to accommodation, Pradeep knew it was more than his father could afford. And yet, Manoj decided to sell their home and move into a rented accommodation to help Pradeep achieve his dream.

Pradeep moved to Delhi on 17 June, two years ago. Already a bright student who had won several debates, quizzes and extempores, his preparation had started back in college where he kept himself abreast of the latest happenings in India and the world.

Even though there were times when the study material was expensive, Manoj never let Pradeep lose out. He ensured that his son had all the resources he required.

He sheds light on the challenges he faced while preparing for his maiden UPSC attempt, “I was new in the field and there are lakhs of aspirants. I knew there would be a lot of struggle but I was ready to fight my battles.”

“The schedule was set. Get up, shower and eat, all the rest of my time was spent studying. The distractions were rare. I had limited going out for films or hanging out with friends to a bare minimum. My father sacrificed a lot and I knew not everyone gets the opportunity that I had. So I treated my first attempt like it was my last attempt. I had to give it my best shot and prove myself.”

Before you think the process may have drained him, he is quick to clarify that he enjoyed the process of preparation thoroughly.

With every result that came—be it the prelims, mains or the final, the happiness of the Singh family reached new heights.

In a message to UPSC aspirants, Pradeep says, “Do not rely on coaching alone. Be a self-starter. Coaching will contribute about 8-10 per cent to the results. But 90 per cent depends on your hard work. If you want to pursue UPSC, think your decision through. Don’t pursue it under family or peer pressure. When it is your own decision, you will do well. Your motivation will come from within and at no point will you regret it. Yes, there will be a lot of struggle. But remember, the more you struggle the greater your chances at success.”

The results were only the first step, as he begins his journey into the civil services.

Pradeep whose journey as an IAS officer has begun signs off by saying, “As an IAS officer, any district that I am posted to, I want to focus on four key areas, namely law and order, women empowerment, health, and education. Because I believe all of these fields are intertwined and dependent on each other for a better society. As I step closer to my dream, I hope I am able to attain these for the greater good of the people I serve.”

In Bihar, women give ‘birth’ to 5 children in 2 months

A woman, as everyone knows, usually gives birth to a baby after nine months of pregnancy, but in Bihar 298 women claim to have delivered two to five children in a span of 60 days – at least that’s what records of incentives amount given to new mothers under a government scheme show.

A woman gets around Rs.1,000 when she gives birth under the government’s Janani Suraksha Yojana but a total of Rs.6.6 lakh was paid as incentive to 298 women who claimed to have delivered two to five children within 60 days under the scheme, says a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that exposes corruption in the state.

These irregularities were found in the year 2008-09 in the districts of Bhagalpur, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Kishanganj and Nalanda, according to the CAG report 2009 tabled in the monsoon session of the state assembly that concluded last week.

“The concerned officials paid incentives under the Janani Suraksha Yojana to these women two to five times in 60 days,” the report says.

Unfortunately, thousands of genuine lactating mothers were denied the incentive due to them. The CAG report says that of 470,307 new mothers, 97,146 were not provided cash incentives under the Janani Suraksha Yojana for want of funds. Also, payment of Rs.25.19 crore to 1.8 lakh beneficiaries were made after a delay ranging between eight and 732 days.

Opposition leaders criticised the state government for the corruption in the implementation of the Janani Suraksha Yojana in the state.

“All this is happening in Bihar when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is claiming good governance. This is just a trailer of the unbelievable corruption in implementation of welfare schemes,” Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) state president Abdul Bari Siddiqui said.

Said Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) youth leader Gopal Sharma: “High corruption during Nitish Kumar’s four-and-a-half year rule has eaten into welfare schemes like in the case of Janani Suraksha Yojana exposed by the CAG report.”

Tourist places in Gopalganj

Gopalganj District
Gopalganj

Introduction

Gopalganj district was notified as a separate district in 1973. In 1758, Fateh Bahadur Sahi, a member of Hathwa Raj, led the war of independence in the district. But he had to shift his activities to Tamkuhi as some of his associates ditched him.

Places of Interest

WHAT T0 LOOK FOR

Thawe Durga Temple

 located on the Patna-Gopalganj road, Thawe’s Durga Temple is visited by thousands of people every year. A huge fair is organised here during Dussehra in September-October.

Bhuri Shravar Ashram

Situated about 65 km from Gopalganj at Bhore, this Ashram dates back to the Mahabharata period.

Dhurna Kund

Situated about 20 km from Bhore town is an ancient Shiv Temple located right in the middle of river Khanua. Devotees have to reach the temple by boat. Another place of tourist importance is Amya in Kateya block, about 85 km from Gopalganj. lord Buddha had stayed here while he was on way to Kushinagar after getting enliglitenment.

LOCAL FAIR

 
The month-long Vaishakhi Mela at Thawe Durga Temple during Chaitra month is a major tourist attraction.HOW TO REACH 

By Air:

Nearest Airport
Gopalganj is connected by road with Patna in Bihar and Gorakhpur in UP Buses ply regularly from Patna, Muzaffarpur, Siwan, Chhapra and Gorakhpur to Gopalganj. Thawe is the nearest railway station, about five km from the district HQ at Gopalganj. 

By Rail: 

Nearest railhead 
Gopalganj. 

By Road: 
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities. 

Where to Stay: 
Hotel Vaibhav, STD Code: 06156, Phone: 226457, 225756
AC rooms with cable TV and other facilities available for Rs 600 to Rs 1160.
Ashish Hotel, STD Code: 06156, Phone: 226089
Rooms available at moderate tariff.
Kailash Hotel, Phone: 9431217090 
Rooms available at moderate tariff.
There are several other private lodges and government-owned inspection bungalows where rooms are available at affordable rates.  

Local Transport: 
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas. 

In Emergency, Contact,STD Code: 06156 
District Magistrate: 224661 (Off), 224662 (Res), 9431016567
Superintendent of Police: 224669 (Off), 224668 (Res), 9431822991
Deputy SP (Sadar): 9431800070
Town Police Station SHO: 9431822488 

Medical Emergencies,Contact
Dr. shambhu Nath Singh (Cardiologist): 9431424046
Dr. S.K.Jha: 9934673813
Civil Surgeon: 9431414065 

Tourist Season
October to March. 

Clothing: 
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to January).