Friday, February 08, 2013

A BUREA UCRAT DOCTOR…

That’s what Faisal Shah, the topper of this year’s civil services examinations wants to be. A qualified doctor, he wants to put soothing balm on the wounds of the Kashmiri people, albeit in the garb of a bureaucrat. So he tells Haroon Reshi

Eight years after his father was assassinated by militants, Faisal Shah, 26, has succeeded in transforming his traumatic past into a glittering achievement. His harrowing past experiences could not wane his passion and dedication to attain his objective.

Shah, a government school pass-out from a remote village of the border district of Kupwara, became the first Kashmiri and the third Indian Muslim to have topped the Union Public Service Commission examination in the 63-year history of independent India.

The Kashmir valley erupted in spontaneous celebration as soon as the news of Faisal’s success spread out. Soon, his Srinagar house was teeming with overjoyed relatives and friends. Neighbours and well-wishers made it a point to convey their happiness and best regards to the future IAS officer. Youngsters burst crackers, raised slogans and beat drums outside, though it was raining hard. Kashmiri traditional chefs were brought in to make the wazwan (customary feast) for the guests. That was on May 7.

A cheerful atmosphere still prevails at Faisal’s residence in the Hyderpora area of Srinagar.

“My son has made me proud. It was his father’s dream to make him an IAS officer,” says Mubeena Begum, Faisal’s mother, as she serves Kashmiri kehwa.

Mubeena, a school teacher, is obviously the happiest soul on earth these days. “I am grateful to Allah that He has shown me this day,” she adds, with tears of joy sparkling in her eyes. A total number of 875 candidates (680 men and 195 women) were recommended for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central services. Faisal is among the 21 Muslims (including three other Kashmiris) on the list of 875 successful candidates. “I have shattered the myth that Kashmiris cannot crack this prestigious examination,” says Faisal, who will be turning 27 on the 17th of this month.

Although he is willing to be posted anywhere in the country, Faisal largely wants to serve common people in his home state. “I am ready to be posted anywhere in the country but I want to serve Kashmiri people in the capacity of an IAS officer. I know my people have been suffering for the last 20 years. They need officers who will listen to them. I will try to shrink the communication gap between the people and the administration. Here in Kashmir, authorities usually do not listen to common people. Due to this bureaucratic apathy, they are suffering a lot. I will try to change this very tendency.”


Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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