‘Yahi soch kar Main Dhoop me tapta raha, Dhoop kitni bhi ho SAMANDAR sookhta nahi hai’
I started working at 19 and I had worked for almost 13 years before joining the IRS in my last attempt.
Before coming to LBSNAA I thought I would be the lone story of such struggle. But here I met 378 OTs representing the many hues of India- each with their own story of phenomenal struggle and success.
Schooling was not easy- the government school was far from home and I spent almost 5 hours daily in commuting. I was never a brilliant student either-very mediocre in fact, but I worked hard. And I persisted -through school,then through Correspondence mode and the years of working.
I never went to any college and this was a psychological barrier for me. I wondered whether I would able to compete against the brilliance and exposure of the IIT/IIM & AIIMS graduates.
But UPSC is a different game all together and it's a great equaliser - I worked hard and so I got lucky.
My final attempt(6th) attempt was one of the toughest phases of my life. It was the second time I was giving a last attempt and last time (during my 4th attempt) I had tasted failure.
The preparation journey was difficult for so many reasons - the sarcasm and complaints from colleagues, family problems and responsibilities, financial constraints .But in hindsight , God has been very kind to me that I got through.
The foundation course at LBSNAA was a special phase. The 3 months is the closest I have ever been to being in a college , in a safe home-like place that allows you to question,to learn, to grow.
What LBSNAA has given me can’t be described in words perhaps. I am highly indebted for all the love , friendship and care. And
I am proud to be a part of LBSNAA, proud to be a HUMAN OF LBSNAA!”
Vivek Chauhan
IRS(IT)
91st Foundation Course
CSE 2015