ASI to IAS: Journey of a farmer’s son
Nainu Rohtaki Posted: May 06, 2009 at 0030 hrs
Chandigarh For this UT cop, his memories of the Manimajra police station will always remain close to his heart. It was here, after all, that Kuldeep Chahal (27) burnt the midnight oil and covered the distance between an ASI (assistant sub-inspector) and an IAS. He has scored 82nd rank in the UPSC exams, the results of which were declared on Monday.
Coming from Ujhna village in Jind district of Haryana, Kuldeep’s father is an illiterate farmer. On receiving the news of his son’s success, his first reaction was: “Is IAS bigger than ASI?”
A student of the Government School, Ujhna, Kuldeep did a Master’s in history from Kurukshetra University and came to Chandigarh. He cleared the police recruitment exam and joined the UT police as an ASI three years ago, before starting preparations for the IAS.
“It is a dream come true for me. I am happy that my hard work has paid off. I was quite hopeful of getting a good rank,” said an elated Kuldeep. During his tenure as an ASI, Kuldeep has been part of teams that cracked several robbery cases.
He said: “Tables have turned and an ASI from a small village has become an IAS. It was the endless hard work and determination that helped me achieve my aim. And it is my elder brother, Suresh Chahal, a lecturer with the Government College, Panchkula, whom I owe my success. I can never forget the reaction of my father after he came to know of my success.”
Kuldeep added that his father had no idea what was education all about and did not know what his children were doing. “All he used to ask us was if we were performing well in our respective fields. Just an answer in the affirmative would bring a smile on his face,” he said.
“I came to Chandigarh in 2004 and had joined a coaching centre. But I did a lot of self study at the Panjab University library. I used to initially study for around four hours. Though it was a little tough to manage my time after joining the police, I used to squeeze out every single minute at the Manimajra police station to be with my books,” said Kuldeep.
This was his third attempt. Kuldeep had failed to clear the final interview in the previous two chances.
His brother Suresh said: “It is nothing short of a Diwali for us. My younger brother has cracked the toughest exam in the country, after all.”
Nainu Rohtaki Posted: May 06, 2009 at 0030 hrs
Chandigarh For this UT cop, his memories of the Manimajra police station will always remain close to his heart. It was here, after all, that Kuldeep Chahal (27) burnt the midnight oil and covered the distance between an ASI (assistant sub-inspector) and an IAS. He has scored 82nd rank in the UPSC exams, the results of which were declared on Monday.
Coming from Ujhna village in Jind district of Haryana, Kuldeep’s father is an illiterate farmer. On receiving the news of his son’s success, his first reaction was: “Is IAS bigger than ASI?”
A student of the Government School, Ujhna, Kuldeep did a Master’s in history from Kurukshetra University and came to Chandigarh. He cleared the police recruitment exam and joined the UT police as an ASI three years ago, before starting preparations for the IAS.
“It is a dream come true for me. I am happy that my hard work has paid off. I was quite hopeful of getting a good rank,” said an elated Kuldeep. During his tenure as an ASI, Kuldeep has been part of teams that cracked several robbery cases.
He said: “Tables have turned and an ASI from a small village has become an IAS. It was the endless hard work and determination that helped me achieve my aim. And it is my elder brother, Suresh Chahal, a lecturer with the Government College, Panchkula, whom I owe my success. I can never forget the reaction of my father after he came to know of my success.”
Kuldeep added that his father had no idea what was education all about and did not know what his children were doing. “All he used to ask us was if we were performing well in our respective fields. Just an answer in the affirmative would bring a smile on his face,” he said.
“I came to Chandigarh in 2004 and had joined a coaching centre. But I did a lot of self study at the Panjab University library. I used to initially study for around four hours. Though it was a little tough to manage my time after joining the police, I used to squeeze out every single minute at the Manimajra police station to be with my books,” said Kuldeep.
This was his third attempt. Kuldeep had failed to clear the final interview in the previous two chances.
His brother Suresh said: “It is nothing short of a Diwali for us. My younger brother has cracked the toughest exam in the country, after all.”
