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Ansar Shaikh – Autodriver’s son who Cracked UPSC 2015

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Ansar Shaikh a village boy from Jalna’s Shelgaon is the son of an autorickshaw driver studied on his own to find his name in the merit list of Civil Services Exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and achieved it by attaining All India Rank 361 in his first attempt.

Ansar Shaikh, when landed in Pune four years ago to prepare for the Civil Services Examination, faced a lot of hardship and social discrimination. “While hunting for a PG accommodations and mess I faced a lot of hardship, my friends who were Hindus got rooms but I was refused the moment I uttered my name and doors to all PG were slammed shut. So the next time, I was forced to change the name to ‘Shubham’, which was actually my friend’s name to secure a roof over my head. Now I don’t have to hide my real name,” says Ansar Shaikh, remarking that this social rejection was “mortifying”.

“It will be my mission to promote religious equality. Having myself been a victim of discrimination, I will strive to ensure that Hindu-Muslim unity transcends tokenism,” says an earnest Ansar Shaikh.

Ansar Shaikh did not let the ‘identity crisis’ hold him back. He became even more determined to get into a system steeped in discrimination and bias and fight from within. “I never got angry or frustrated. In fact, I used to get motivated and inspired by all these things. It became a driving force during my preparation so that I can see myself there (at the top),” he said. Ansar Shaikh hopes to get into the coveted Indian Administrative service so he can do his bit to eliminate discrimination in society.

Ansar Shaikh’s story is all about courage and determination. But it also highlights the biased mindset of society towards minorities.

Must Read: 10 UPSC Toppers 2016 – All You Need to Know

Family Background of Ansar Shaikh

Ansar Shaikh comes from the Shelgaon village in Jalna district in the heart of drought-hit Maharashtra’s Marathwada region and considers the UPSC results as his “advance present” for his upcoming 22nd birthday on June 1. His father Yonus Shaikh Ahmad is an autorickshaw driver. His mother works in fields and the family lives in a rented home at Shelgaon. He has one younger brother, Anees Khan who had left school in standard seventh and started working in a grocery shop to support Ansar’s expenses and defied all odds to send him money so Ansar Shaikh can chase the great IAS dream.

“Education has never been a watchword in my family. My father, a rickshaw driver, has three wives. My mother is the second wife. My younger brother dropped out of school and my two sisters were married off at an early age. In my family, education wasn’t so important. When I told them that I had cleared the UPSC and in all likelihood will be an IAS officer, they were stunned shocked,” said the gentle, bespectacled Ansar Shaikh, with a boyish smile that belies years of pain, hardships and struggles against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Ansar’s parents were in tears when they came to know about the result and they did not believe that their son has made this great achievement. They were highly delighted and proud of Ansar Shaikh. Ansar’s house did not even have a lamp when the reporters visited his house for the interview his brother had to rush to the (Majid Shaikh) a corporation of the local civic body of the Jalna to arrange the lamp for the interview session.

Read Also: Meet Tina Dabi IAS Topper 2015 – 2016

Educational Background

Ansar Shaikh completed his early education from Zillah Parishad School (Marathi medium). He was an exemplary student and had secured 91 per cent in his Class X exams. He did HSC from Barwal College in Arts stream and got 100 out of 100 marks in Sanskrit. Ansar Shaikh came to Pune to pursue Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and got graduated from Fergusson College, Pune.

Ansar Shaikh prepared for UPSC Exam at a private coaching class against great financial odds but never lost sight of his goal. Ansar’s father had to sell the house for his IAS coaching classes. He attributes his success to his family and friends.

Optional Paper

Ansar Shaikh opted for Political Science as his optional subject for UPSC and he cracked it at the first go, securing rank 361 in the merit list.

Also Read: Tina Dabi tops UPSC Civil Services 2015-16 Results

Attempts

Ansar Shaikh, the son of an autorickshaw driver, cleared the IAS in his maiden attempt, snaring All-India Rank of 361. Since then, the media has thronged his lodgings in the city in a bid to capture his inspirational and remarkable personal struggle.

Preparation Strategy

Driven by sheer will, Ansar Shaikh worked for 12 hours a day straight for three consecutive years while preparing for UPSC Exam. Added to these burdens, he faced the stigma of social discrimination and turbulent family life which he triumphed with a strength of character extremely rare for a youth of his age. Ansar Shaikh used to remain without food for 2-3 days as his financial condition was very poor. Ansar Shaikh set his goal to become an IAS officer when he was in 10th and was inspired by his teacher who has cleared MPSC.

“There is no alternative to hard work. During my struggle, my friends helped me a lot mentally and financially and even my coaching academy waived a portion of fees due to my poor financial condition,” said Ansar Shaikh.

Besides his father, his younger brother Anees also helped a lot. His younger brother quit school so Ansar Shaikh could become an IAS officer. His bitter, first-hand tryst with social ostracisation has made a deep influence on Ansar Shaikh.

Don’t Miss: Read Success Story of Artika Shukla IAS, AIR-4, 2015

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104 COMMENTS

  6. People like you are really inspiration and motivation for us who are dreaming of civil services….All the best for your career!!!!!

  7. Its really wonder……….story…family suports nd especially bro…wonderrr…helpd….bckwrd life poor..but now…..cnt say..

  25. Congratulations dear ansar sheikh…………. your struggle is know change into success…….or your dream is know converted into reality……

  30. It’s very true that -THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO HARD WORK,but today the youths do not consider it seriously….80% of the students do not pay even 7-8 hours a day for their studies…just they seek their timepass on social media.This is the main reason behind their failure in life.

  34. 1 misal ho aap bhai..jo apne gribi ka bhana bnake prepration nhi krte unke liye aap anyiviorus ho bhai…thankuu

  35. Very gud.I m inspired your story bro .and pls give me idea’s nd plz saggest me how to prepare for UPsc entrance. I really want be make IAs officer,its my drems nd I really wants .

  40. Real hero of the year 2016 Mr Ansar Shaikh heartiest congratulatio…..
    “GOD helps those who helps themselves … Dear Ansar i want the suggestion form ur side for becomming the IAS officer very soon …

  41. I really felt talents have no boundary ansaar Shaikh is a example for minority student and thanks to andar’s non Muslims friend who helped heartily

  42. Great
    You are the real achiever.
    Congratulations
    My wishes are always with you,brother

  43. so much inspiration i got. really people like u r the cynosure of the society. hats off..

  47. Masha Allaah…….sir apki jit apko bahot bahot Mubarak ho ……..wishing u a Happy & good future….. Ameen

  48. a big salute to u bro……i has been very inspired from this story…..best of luck for ur bright future………

  51. Sir… u worked hard…
    So a very bright future is waiting for you….congratulatons…!!!!

  52. Great word is small for you and your determination &hard work . All The Best for your carrier .

  53. Inspirational story…salute to ansar sheikh for not loosing his cool despite so much of social descrmination

  54. Grand salute for ur hard work…
    This is truly called struggle for success most inspiring story I have even seen !! God bless u

  57. very good bhai… congratulation…. u are the real hero….and inspirational person to all who want pass in upsc like me…
    allah ka shukar hai.

  58. very good bhai… congratulation…. u are the real hero….and inspirational person to all who want pass in upsc like me…
    allah ka shukar hai…

  67. u r so great that I have no word to express….
    u r really a great inspirating person …
    u inspired me more than toppers. ….as u have got this achievement in a want…..

  78. A man with power house….! Who give a lesson to poor background people that they they should not depress on there like…. If you have faith and confident in you then you will achieve the goal in any condition….
    So Mr. Ansar Shaik you are inspiration of INDIA….. Congratulation
    All The Best For Future Carrier….!

  82. Congrats ansar sir….am also belongs to poor family…..am very happy to u…coz u cracked upsc…..plz sir give good ideas…how to prepare upsc…..i also struggle for this exam…..u sharing ur good ideas with me….am waiting for ur gd thoughts or idaes…

  83. Great one shot success…really given a great fight ..truly inspired…it looks easy to read but it’s tough to fight for long and hard…..”Tough times never lasts but tough people do”….You will be definately having a very bright future ahead….God bless you…

  88. Bhai Ansar sheikh congratulations, Aapki family ne jo aapse expect kia tha aap us pr khare utre. Aor Aapki mahnat Aor struggle ham Sab ke liye ek misaal he. Enjoy Life

  90. Ansar Sheikh Congratulationsss !!!

    You did it with strong determination . Your Story is inseparable for those who are facing religious discrimination and financially weak background.

    Hats Off Brother !!!

  91. Sir, i congrats I admire you. but now you are an I.A.S officer so please do no talk about discrimination there if you want to work for it go ahead and i have been living in Pune from the past 5 years i have not seen any discrimination over there it will send wrong message to the whole India and if your father has not enough money for the education then why he married thrice , that is discrimination with three women ..

  92. Sir, i congrats I admire you. but now you are an U.P.S.C officer so, please do no talk about discrimination there if you want to work for it go ahead but do not mislead other people in the name of religion . I have been living in Pune from the past 5 years i have not seen any discrimination over there it will send wrong message to the whole India . Please as an UPSC officer i do not except this thing from your side and Don’t use religion as an excuse for power struggles.

  97. Great one shot success…really given a great fight ..truly inspired…it looks easy to read but it’s tough to fight for long and hard…..”Tough times never lasts but tough people do”….You will be definately having a very bright future ahead….God bless you…bro…

  99. Really given a great fight ..truly inspired. Ansar not mentioned the name of Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry provide him financial support Rs. 50000/- for preparation of Mains exam under Nai Udaan scheme

  100. God The Almighty Allah is great.U’re a true symbol of Hard Work, Struggle,Passion @ Patience.Above all Hindu Muslim Unity.Keep inspiring @ encouraging I A S aspirants.May U always be Happy Healthy nd Prosperous.

  102. I am really inspired by this story…………
    Ansar sekh is really example for every people
    i lov sir
    and salute to…u

  104. Sir mera economic hons aur mera interested geography mein hai to mein konsa optional subject choose karu

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