Despite losing his mother and scoring just 51% in Class 12, this fictional story follows one boy’s relentless journey to become an IAS officer.
(Fictional story – inspired by real struggles of rural India)
“Marks don’t define you. Decisions do.”
In the dry heart of Rajasthan, where opportunity is rare and hope often wilts under the sun, one boy’s fictional journey reminds us what it truly means to rise against all odds. Though this story is not based on a real person, it echoes the truth of thousands like him.
The Beginning: 3 Bigha Land and a Mother’s Dream
He was born in a village near Nokha, Bikaner, in a small mud house surrounded by dry fields. His father, a simple farmer, owned just 3 bigha land — enough to grow bajra in good years, but never enough to fill a family’s stomach.
His mother, soft-spoken and strong, would make papads and sew clothes for extra income.
“Beta, ek din afsar ban na. Main chhoti soch leke nahi jeeti. Tere liye bada socha hai.”
He didn’t know what it meant to be an officer. But he understood that it was something bigger than poverty, bigger than the dust they breathed.
A Sudden Goodbye
Just months before his Class 12 board exams, his mother fell ill. There was no money for a private doctor. The government hospital was far, and the wait was long.
She passed away before treatment could begin — on the floor, with no one watching, while her son stood helplessly outside.
He returned home that evening with her torn shawl and an empty heart.
Board Result: 51% and a Promise
He gave his exams in silence. Scored only 51%.
People laughed.
“IAS banega? Ye toh barely pass hua hai.”
“Afsar banna sabke bas ka nahi hota.”
He didn’t answer. That night, he opened a small box under her cot — inside was a handwritten note:
“Afsar ban jaa beta. Teri maa ka sapna hai.”
College in Bikaner: Days of Dust, Nights of Books
He joined private graduation from Dungar College. Morning: help father in the fields. Afternoon: attend class. Evening: study with borrowed books.
He didn’t have money for tuitions. So he used old books, dusty libraries, and free online videos. He skipped meals, walked miles to avoid bus fare, and used candlelight when the bulb fused.
His sister once asked, “Bhaiya, sab theek hai na? Aap zyada padte ho, kam khate ho.”
He smiled:
“Zyada khane se bhook nahi mitti. Zyada padne se haal badal sakta hai.”
Jaipur: Where Dreams Took Shape
After graduation, he went to Jaipur.
He had ₹1,500 and a bag of books. No relatives. No job.
He found a place in a servant quarter and began working as a sweeper in a local library — just so he could be near books.
He also cleaned dishes at a nearby professor’s house in exchange for two meals and leftover notes.
Each night, after everyone left, he read UPSC books in the dim corners of the library.
The Years That Tested Him
His first UPSC attempt — he couldn’t clear prelims.
Second attempt — missed mains cutoff.
Frustrated, he once stood outside a coaching center and thought:
“Yahan log lakhon kharch karte hain. Main kya leke aaya hoon? Jhadoo aur junoon?”
He was tired. His father back home was getting old. His sister needed school fees. He almost quit.
Then he looked at a crumpled photo of his mother in his wallet — and remembered her voice:
“Tere liye bada socha hai.”
He got up. Dusted his pants. And started again — this time with sharper focus and deeper hunger.
The Final Push
No coaching. No guide. Just books, routines, and self-belief.
Wake up at 4 AM.
Read newspaper while sweeping the library.
Write mock answers on old, used sheets.
Watch free lectures with prepaid internet packs.
Eat twice a day. Sleep five hours. Repeat.
He failed twice, but he was not a failure.
The Call That Changed Everything
Months later, he got a call.
“Bhai, tera selection ho gaya hai… Final list mein aapka naam hai.”
He didn’t say a word. He sat down quietly, looked around the small room, and cried — not loudly, but with a heavy heart.
That evening, he took the same state bus back to his village.
His father met him at the gate.
“Kya hua beta? Kaam mil gaya kya Jaipur mein?”
He smiled with teary eyes:
“Haan papa… kaam bhi mil gaya, izzat bhi.”
Today…
He works as an officer in Rajasthan, focusing on villages like the one he came from. He has started a library for poor students and runs weekend mentoring sessions.
Every time someone says, “Sir, humse nahi hoga.”
He says:
“Main bhi toh sirf ek jhadoo leke nikla tha. Tumein bhi bas ek iraada chahiye.”
Disclaimer: This is a fictional story written to inspire readers. It reflects the real-life hardships many Indian aspirants face while chasing their dreams. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.