Nothing must stop one from aiming big: Anantnag topper

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Anantnag, May 10

At 22, Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan had the distinction of being the youngest Kashmiri to crack the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) exam last year and now he has yet gain cracked the coveted exam, ranking second in the country.

Athar is a resident of Devipora village in the Mattan area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

An engineering graduate from the IIT-Roorkee, Athar has bettered his rank since last time by 558 places. He is among the eight other Kashmiris to have made it to the list this time.

“I worked very hard. I was expecting a better rank compared to last year but getting the second rank is a delightful surprise,” Athar told The Tribune over phone from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

“I did not have much exposure to coaching classes but I was confident that I could do it. Extensive reading and complete dedication made me realise my dream,” he said. He is at present undergoing training at the Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management, Lucknow.

“I met Mr Shah Faesal and took his advice on whether I should join the services. We had a long discussion and after that we arrived at a conclusion that I should join as well as appear again.

“So here I am....happy at the decision. I have already given IAS as my first choice and Jammu and Kashmir as my cadre preference. I believe that there is a lot of scope for me to do something for my people in the state,” he said.

Son of an economics lecturer and eldest among the four siblings, Athar thinks it’s all about striving to do better with each passing day. “Absolutely nothing should stop a person from aiming big and working hard to achieve it,” he said.

He had expressed his dismay over his rank after cracking the exam last year.

“The feelings are mixed. I am elated at cracking the exam but not satisfied with the rank. I wish I had worked harder,” he had said last year.

In his native Devipora village, the mood is celebratory and there is a sense of shared achievement. People are making a beeline to congratulate Athar’s parents. In the village, locals were seen congratulating each other over Athar’s success.

An elated Muhammad Shafi Khan, Athar’s father, who was surrounded by his neighbours at his home, beamed with joy. Describing his son as an intelligent, hardworking, religious and a humble soul, Khan says he had been praying for the best for his son. “He has always made us proud. Besides cracking all competitive exams since Class XII, he, in 2006, received the ‘Young Scientist Award’ from then President APJ Abdul Kalam,” Khan said.

Athar’s mother Tahira, a housewife, joyously serves the guests. Asked how she feels, Tahira thanks the Almighty, praying for those congratulating her. “May Allah bestow you with the best like he has done for us.”

With inputs from PTI