Rank 5th, Pratham on cloud nine

Ravinder Saini

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Tribune News Service

Mahendragarh, April 28

Having cleared the civil services examination, Pratham Kaushik is feeling on top of the world. He has not only kept the promise made to his younger sister, but realised his father’s dream as well.

Hailing from Jhagroli village, Pratham bagged the fifth position in the UPSC examination in his second attempt. Pratham’s father Narender Kaushik is Deputy Excise and Taxation Commission in Kaithal.

His mother Rajbala is lecturer at Government Senior Secondary School in Dongra Ahir village here. His sister Vishesh has completed MA (honours) course from Lady Shriram College in Delhi.

“I was fully confident about clearing the exam this time, but never imagined securing a place among the top five candidates. I wanted to set an example for my sister by keeping my promise of clearing the examination. She wants to follow in my footsteps,” he said.

Pratham made his first attempt in 2015, but could not succeed at the first stage. “I put in equal hard work in both attempts, but perhaps, it was the outcome of people’s blessings and good wishes that I cleared it this time,” he said he. He gave credit to his parents and teachers.

He said as an IAS officer, his priority would be to work in the direction of women empowerment, gender equality and empowering weaker and deprived sections.

“It was my dream to become an IAS officer to serve society, but destiny had another plan. I served as government lecturer for several years initially. I appeared in the HCS examination in 2001 and was selected for allied services. I am glad that my son has fulfilled my dream,” said Narender Kaushik.