Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan, a 23-year old man from Srinagar has secured the second rank in the 2015-16 Civil Services examinations. This was Khan’s second attempt.
Hailing from Devipora-Mattan village in Anantnag district, near Srinagar, Khan had appeared in the examination in 2014 as well. He was, however, offered Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), over the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), owing to a lower rank. Khan joined the IRTS, but decided to appear for the IAS – his first love – again.
The son of a school teacher, Khan says he began dreaming of joining the IAS, after Shah Faesal from the Kashmir Valley topped the examinations in 2009. Though he didn’t have access to great coaching classes, Khan persevered. According to a PTI report, he wanted to be of service to society by being “with the people” and doing something “for the people”.
Khan went to Tyndale Biscoe School in Srinagar, and also made it to Indian Institute of technology (IIT) Roorkee, but did not take it up as he wasn’t offered the course of his choice. Turning down IIT was perhaps a turning point in his life as he decided to prepare for the UPSC examinations from then.
On the advice of Shah Faesal, the UPSC topper from 2009, Khan reappeared for the examinations last year. While he was undergoing training for IRTS in Lucknow, Khan simultaneously prepared for the IAS. A year later, Khan is jubilant and has already given IAS as his first choice, and Jammu and Kashmir as his cadre preference. He’s positive he will be able to make a difference in the state.
Meanwhile, Khan’s family members are elated. His father is an economics teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School in Anantnag, and his mother is a homemaker. They are currently hosting a stream of visitors and well-wishers, who are coming to their home to congratulate them on Khan’s success.
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(With agency inputs)
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