The Painful journey paid off

The Painful journey paid off

Mr. Sunil George secured 587th rank in the UPSC All India Civil Service Examination.

Mr. Paul V Mathew narrates about his journey from a hillock to Civil Service……………..

                            When he joined at the Trivandrum Civil Service Academy, he was simply left with just 300 rupees in his hand. He had to find a place for his stay and food. While identifying a place to dwell, he humbly requested his friends to afford his rent too; and he assured that “next month I will pay your rent also".

                         This is the day we started conversing. Sitting on the steps of Kanakakunnu palace, he continued. “Those days were too tiring for me. Fortunately, I got a chance to take classes in some civil service centers that helped me to carry those days. Many students approached me during their tough times of preparation and with the mind of quitting. I had a privilege to make them filled with positive thoughts and optimism".

Hailing from the hinterlands of Kannur, Kerala, Mr. Sunil had no luxuries to cherish his childhood. He used to work with his two elder brothers and parents in the agriculture plantation and paddy fields. He reminds the days where he moves to the hillock immediately after the school hours and spending late evening time with his livestock. As he wanted to collect cashew from the plantation in the hilltop, he had to wait for his father to return, as the way back to home was too difficult. Snakes and rodents were part of his life.

                          The most interesting part of his preparation was the self-driven approach. He quitted the academy in the very early stage and started preparing himself, even correcting his answer papers. We hardly find him studying; he finds his own time. When people run after institutes and materials, Sunil says "we have to develop our own strategy to study especially the style of answering questions". He was very committed to equip his friends for exams by constantly motivating them with tips and updates for preparation. 

                          I still remember the day I met Mr. Sunil, a few days before the Interview. While spending our time at the Mascot Cafe, he confidently said."Whatever the result, I am decided to continue. If I fail, I will surely fight in the next chance. These are the lessons I leant from my life. I had a very humble back ground, but this attitude made me to reach at a hopeful time in my life. The friendship circle I have always make me to stay cool". That attitude paid off. He was very particular to opt IAS.

                       He called me after the interview. Questions were more about his post-graduation subjects, state policies and of international interest. His words were propelling the sign of a very exciting result. The attitude of 'never give up' is an essential quality of every civil service aspirants must acquire. It is equally important to develop our own strategy to assure that success is in our hands. These are lessons to be learned.

                 Mr. Sunil is an MBA and a graduate in Communicative English. He is also a sportsman. He works as a Program Manager, Additional Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP), Department of Higher Education, Government of Kerala. 

He is determined to go for the next attempt. 

All the best Mr. Sunil George