Farmer’s daughter clears UPSC

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 27

Samandip Kaur (25), who hails from village Daad on the Pakhowal Road, has cleared the UPSC with all India 268 rank. Her mother is a homemaker and father is a farmer.

Samandip Kaur said, whose father is a farmer said, “As I come from a village background, I always wanted to connect with people on the grassroots level. In my village, the awareness of civil services and government jobs is quite low. My father always believed in me that one day I will make him proud. I tried to maintain consistency in my preparation. The process is long as it takes years to clear the exam. I was regular though I never studied for late hours. I followed my schedule. I cleared the exam on my second attempt.”

She added, “You do not need to be extraordinary or 90 percentile to avail the opportunity. I have studied from the state board and studied books in Punjabi. Your awareness and curiosity to know things matters the most. Conceptual clarity and patience are required to achieve success.”

Samandip has completed her schooling from RS Model Senior Secondary School. She is a Charted Accountant and worked for six months in a firm. After this, she drew an inclination towards the UPSC and left her job. She started preparing for the exam in 2015. Her optional subject was commerce and accountancy in the exam.

Samandip’s father said, “Mai thoda kam padta likha hua hun. Boht sangharsh kiya hai. (I have studied less and have struggled hard). I used to pick and drop her in winters. I supported her in whichever way possible.”

City girl, Hasrat scores 226 rank

Meet, Hasrat Jasmine (26), who is a type-1 diabetic patient and a resident of Ashapuri Chowk in Ludhiana. She was seven years of age when diagnosed with an insulin dependent disease. She cleared the UPSC exam with All India Rank 226 in the third attempt. She has completed her schooling from Sacred Heart BRS Nagar and MBBS from Bathinda.

Hasrat says, “I wanted to be a part of governing system of the country. At the same time, I wanted to prove that any disease is not a disability. I am dependent on insulin and have to take four injections a day. During preparations, I had to take special care of myself has one has to stay fit to clear the exam. I studied for 6-8 hours a day and chose to do a qualitative study. Despite being a medical student, I chose Public administration as my optional subject as I felt attracted to the subject.