Though the fact that five candidates from the Higher Studies Centre of the Coimbatore Corporation have cleared the finals of the Civil Services examinations has brought cheer, they are keen on making another attempt to better their ranks. They want to enter only Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
The centre saw 22 going for the main examination. Out of the 10 who cleared the mains, five cleared the final interview, which, according to them, is an achievement.
C. Sudhagaran (Rank 728), a resident of Veeraganur, a panchayat 75 km from Salem, who has cleared the Civil Services in his very first attempt, is a happy man.
Though he began his coaching in 2009 after completing engineering, his hard work and determination saw him succeed in the first attempt.
“I got inspired reading about the work of many IAS officers during my final year, and that got me motivated to attempt the examinations. Though I will make another attempt to better my rank, in the meantime I will join the Audit and Accounts Service. This is also another Government service, so I don't mind,” he says positively.
Aware of his shortcomings in his earlier attempt, he is keen to overcome them and improve upon his strengths.
Rohini Priyadarshini P. (Rank 243), 25-year-old engineer from Karamadai near Coimbatore, has cleared the finals in her third attempt. She attributes her success to perseverance and hard work.
She will attempt a fourth time to better her rank. Since the interview went well, she is confident that it is the examination she has to concentrate on in her next attempt.
R.A. Mahendira Varma (Rank 623), a lawyer by qualification and a resident of Kavindapadi, 26 km from Erode, is going to make another attempt – his sixth – to enter into the realms of the IAS cadre.
From an agricultural family, his parents have been supportive of his keen interest and let him prepare from 2007. His elder sister is a doctor and he is keen to keep at it till his dream is realised.
Though all three are looking at improving their ranks, they are firm in their thought that the State is being very well represented in the Civil Services examinations. Last year, among the 22 who cleared the IAS, four from Tamil Nadu were among the top 10, they say.
The centre conducts coaching and mock interviews for Civil Services aspirants free of cost. The latest five take the total number to 28 that the centre has helped clear the examinations since its inception in 2008.
P. Kanagaraj, chief mentor of the centre and associate professor of political science, Government Arts College, says no one can really explain the ranking pattern.
“The final result can go either way. Most of them never give up. Perseverance and hard work will get them where they want to be,” he says.
As many as 40 IAS and IPS officials are associated with the Higher Studies Centre, which is considered an asset. The expertise they share with the candidates during the course of their coaching helps them excel in their interviews.
Rohini says there can be no better way than to learn from one's mistakes. “Every attempt is a chance to perfect oneself.” She was felicitated by Coimbatore Mayor S.M. Velusamy at the centre here on Saturday.
