(Success Story) UPSC Topper - Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan (AIR-2) 2015

(Success Story) UPSC Topper - Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan (AIR-2) 2015

He saw an opportunity in failure and today Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan is all smiles after securing second rank in the prestigious civil services examination, 2015.

The 23-year-old Khan made it to the coveted Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in his second attempt.

"I had appeared last year but my ranking was down and, therefore, I was offered Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS). I joined but IAS was my first love and I planned to to do both -- join the training and appear again."

Hailing from Devipora-Mattan village in Anantnag district, 60 km south of Srinagar, Khan, son of a school teacher, says he became interested in joining IAS after Shah Faesal from the Kashmir Valley topped civil services examination in 2009.

"I did not have a great exposure to coaching classes but I was confident that I can do it. Extensive reading and complete dedication made me realise my dream," he said.

Besides this, he said, he always wanted to be of use to the society by being "with the people" and doing something "for the people".

Khan, who did his 11th and 12th from prestigious Tyndale Biscoe School in Srinagar, said he had made it to the IIT but did not join as he was offered a B-Tech course when he wanted to pursue BE. "This also acted as a catalyst for me to appear for the civil services and I qualified last year.

"I met Mr Shah Faesal and took his advice on whether I should join the services. We had a long discussion and after that we arrived at a conclusion that I should join as well as appear again.

"So here I am....Happy at the decision. I have already given IAS as my first choice and Jammu and Kashmir as my cadre preference. I believe that there is a lot of scope for me to do something for my people in the state," says Khan, who is at present undergoing training at Lucknow for IRTS.

Meanwhile, an elated Mohammed Shafi Khan, who teaches economics at the Government Higher Secondary school in Anantnag, has a steady stream of visitors coming to congratulate him on his son's success.

"I am a proud father today.The best moment in a father's life is when he is known by his children and today my son has given me this happiness," an excited Shafi Khan said.

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Courtesy: Business Standard