“Where you come from doesn’t matter,” said Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan, Kashmiri who came second in the UPSC exam, the results of which were declared on Tuesday.
Elated at having cracked the prestigious examination, Mr. Khan, 23, advised Kashmiri youth to “come out of their shell” and prepare hard, rather than “crib” about the difficulties they face. “I am very happy and content with the result. The Civil Service allows us a wide area to work, and makes us responsible. I would like to make the most of the flexibility and opportunity it brings. It is more about the attitude than the place we come from,” Mr. Khan said in Lucknow.
He is currently training at the Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management. Mr. Khan had a special word of thanks for The Hindu which helped him prepare for the exam.
Mr. Khan completed his Engineering from IIT Himachal Pradesh in July 2014. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated him on Twitter. “Heartiest congratulations to Aamir ul Shafi Khan of Devipora, Anantnag, for standing second in the UPSC exams this year. Well done young man.”
Valley upbeat Mr. Khan was among the eight aspirants who qualified for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from Jammu and Kashmir. At 23, he is the youngest to crack the examination from the State.
Mr. Khan is a resident of Devipora village, Mattan, around 65 km south of Srinagar. His whole village was jubilant over his success.
‘Proud moment’ A beeline of visitors was seen outside his house in Mattan. “This is a proud moment for the village. His achievement will inspire many students here,” said Aziz Ahmad, a neighbour.
His father, Shafi Khan, an Economics lecturer, was overwhelmed. “My son is pious, hardworking and intelligent. These qualities have paid,” he said.
Besides Mr. Khan, Sheema Nabi Qasba, Baseer-Ul-Haq, Ruveda Salam, Afaq Giri, Deeba Farhat, Choudhary Yaseen and Ankit Koul have also cracked the examination. “Mr. Khan’s feat will inspire many youngsters to follow suit,” said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, while congratulating the qualifiers from the State.
