The son of a police constable, the daughter of an IAS officer, a practicing Chartered Accountant and the son of a semi-literate farmer from a small village – all stand on the same podium despite their varied economic, educational and social backgrounds.
Such is the interesting combination of candidates from the State who tasted success in the Civil Services examination this year.
Leaving behind comfort
State topper and ranked 16, K. Shashanka is a practicing Chartered Accountant who derived inspiration from his uncle, a retired as a Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO).
“Watching him closely, I understood the change a government officer can bring,” he says. Shashanka left his cushy job at Ernst & Young and chose the Civil Services with the aim of contributing to society.
A reader of The Hindu since his childhood, he attributes part of his success to it.
At home with the IAS
G. Srijana, who was ranked 44th, is the daughter of senior IAS officer. G. Balaramaiah. A Ph.D in ‘Human Rights and Refugees’, getting into the Civil Services was a childhood dream for Srijana given the atmosphere at home. She worked with Dr. Reddy’s Foundation on juvenile homes earlier and their education before joining Group-I services last year. “I dedicate this to my father,” Srijana said.
Reaping rewards
J. Meghanatha Reddy, who secured the 55 rank, hails from an agriculture family from Proddutur and dreamt of being a Civil Servant since childhood as his father wanted him to be one. He preferred to do his B.A. despite bagging a seat at BITS, Pilani Goa campus. “My friends thought I was crazy; but I was focussed,” says Meghanatha, who is presently undergoing training in the Indian Railways Personnel Service in Mumbai.
Such was his focus that he would visit a tea-stall near the R.C. Reddy Study Circle, just to see the aspirants and be inspired.
“Later, the guidance of Mr. R.C. Reddy gave me lot of confidence,” said Meghanatha, who did his BA from Nizam College and MA (Economics) from Hyderabad Central University.
My dad’s boss
The 101 ranker, Narasimhugari Tej Lohith Reddy might end up being the boss of his father, a police head constable at Kamalapuram police station. Lohith, who is an MBBS from Osmania Medical College, is assured of an IPS, but also stands a chance to get the IAS.
Lohith cracked the exam in his first attempt and he decided to take a shot only in his final-year MBBS. Hailing from Sunkesula village in Kadapa district, he secured the 6th rank in the Eamcet medical stream. “The Civils is a great platform to serve people and as a doctor my services will be limited to a few people,” he says.
