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Heart wrenching letter of hanged Iranian woman to her mother

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Without paying any attention to the plea from the whole world, Iran, on 22nd October hanged 26 years old Reyhaneh Jabbari to death for a crime of saving her own life and dignity by stabbed a man who allegedly tried to rape her.

Here is complete translated text of the letter she wrote to her mother Sholen prior to her death it is loaded with emotions. She calls her death – retribution.

Dear Sholeh, today I learned that it is now my turn to face Qisas [the law of retribution in the Iranian legal system]. I am hurt as to why you did not let me know yourself that I have reached the last page of the book of my life. Don’t you think that I should know? You know how ashamed I am that you are sad. Why did you not take the chance for me to kiss your hand and that of dad?

The world allowed me to live for 19 years. That ominous night it was I that should have been killed. My body would have been thrown in some corner of the city, and after a few days, the police would have taken you to the coroner’s office to identify my body and there you would also learn that I had been raped as well. The murderer would have never been found since we don’t have their wealth and their power. Then you would have continued your life suffering and ashamed, and a few years later you would have died of this suffering and that would have been that.

However, with that cursed blow the story changed. My body was not thrown aside, but into the grave of Evin Prison and its solitary wards, and now the grave-like prison of Shahr-e Ray. But give in to the fate and don’t complain. You know better that death is not the end of life.

You taught me that one comes to this world to gain an experience and learn a lesson and with each birth a responsibility is put on one’s shoulder. I learned that sometimes one has to fight. I do remember when you told me that the carriage man protested the man who was flogging me, but the flogger hit the lash on his head and face that ultimately led to his death. You told me that for creating a value one should persevere even if one dies.

You taught us that as we go to school one should be a lady in face of the quarrels and complaints. Do you remember how much you underlined the way we behave? Your experience was incorrect. When this incident happened, my teachings did not help me. Being presented in court made me appear as a cold-blooded murderer and a ruthless criminal. I shed no tears. I did not beg. I did not cry my head off since I trusted the law.

But I was charged with being indifferent in face of a crime. You see, I didn’t even kill the mosquitoes and I threw away the cockroaches by taking them by their antennas. Now I have become a premeditated murderer. My treatment of the animals was interpreted as being inclined to be a boy and the judge didn’t even trouble himself to look at the fact that at the time of the incident I had long and polished nails.

How optimistic was he who expected justice from the judges! He never questioned the fact that my hands are not coarse like those of a sportswoman, especially a boxer. And this country that you planted its love in me never wanted me and no one supported me when under the blows of the interrogator I was crying out and I was hearing the most vulgar terms. When I shed the last sign of beauty from myself by shaving my hair I was rewarded: 11 days in solitary.

Dear Sholeh, don’t cry for what you are hearing. On the first day that in the police office an old unmarried agent hurt me for my nails I understood that beauty is not looked for in this era. The beauty of looks, beauty of thoughts and wishes, a beautiful handwriting, beauty of the eyes and vision, and even beauty of a nice voice.

My dear mother, my ideology has changed and you are not responsible for it. My words are unending and I gave it all to someone so that when I am executed without your presence and knowledge, it would be given to you. I left you much handwritten material as my heritage.

However, before my death I want something from you, that you have to provide for me with all your might and in any way that you can. In fact this is the only thing I want from this world, this country and you. I know you need time for this.

Therefore, I am telling you part of my will sooner. Please don’t cry and listen. I want you to go to the court and tell them my request. I cannot write such a letter from inside the prison that would be approved by the head of prison; so once again you have to suffer because of me. It is the only thing that if even you beg for it I would not become upset although I have told you many times not to beg to save me from being executed.

My kind mother, dear Sholeh, the one more dear to me than my life, I don’t want to rot under the soil. I don’t want my eye or my young heart to turn into dust. Beg so that it is arranged that as soon as I am hanged my heart, kidney, eye, bones and anything that can be transplanted be taken away from my body and given to someone who needs them as a gift. I don’t want the recipient know my name, buy me a bouquet, or even pray for me.

I am telling you from the bottom of my heart that I don’t want to have a grave for you to come and mourn there and suffer. I don’t want you to wear black clothing for me. Do your best to forget my difficult days. Give me to the wind to take away.

The world did not love us. It did not want my fate. And now I am giving in to it and embrace the death. Because in the court of God I will charge the inspectors, I will charge inspector Shamlou, I will charge judge, and the judges of country’s Supreme Court that beat me up when I was awake and did not refrain from harassing me.

In the court of the creator I will charge Dr. Farvandi, I will charge Qassem Shabani and all those that out of ignorance or with their lies wronged me and trampled on my rights and didn’t pay heed to the fact that sometimes what appears as reality is different from it.

Dear soft-hearted Sholeh, in the other world it is you and me who are the accusers and others who are the accused. Let’s see what God wants. I wanted to embrace you until I die. I love you.

Sonia Narang IPS: She is bold super cop

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She’s young, bright, has low tolerance for `powerful’ troublemakers, asserts her authority confidently and is controversies’ favourite child. 

There was a time when a list of super cops would hardly ever have entertained a woman in its midst. Not anymore. Thankfully, the glass ceiling is well and truly broken in this terrain. Meet Sonia Narang, the IPS officer known across Karnataka for her forthrightness in the most audacious of circumstances. Presently, the Deputy Commissioner (South Division) of Bangalore. Her zero tolerance of anyone flouting the law has won her ample acclaim and even a little notoriety throughout the state.

A native of Chandigarh, she excelled in her studies in School and College and was a gold medalist in the Punjab University. Her father retired as a deputy superintendent of police. She cleared the civil services after two failed attempts in 2002.
At the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy in Mussoorie, she met her life partner, Ganesh Kumar while training for IPS. It was not a happy love story but all went on well and got married to him in 2005.
She has son Shaurya, she is very religious and never leaves home without performing the puja. Her husband is a IPS of the Bihar Cadre.

A native of Chandigarh, she comes from a police family. Her father A N Narang retired as a deputy superintendent of police. She excelled in studies in school and college. A North Zone topper in the 12th and a gold medalist in BA (hon.), she secured the Punjab University Merit Scholarship and national scholarship from the HRD ministry for three years. She also has a Master’s degree in Sociology through distance education.

HOW TO JOIN Indian Police Service (IPS)?

The Indian Police Service (IPS) was formed in the year of 1948. It is one of the three All India Services.(The other two are Indian Forest Services and Indian Administrative Services). The cadre controlling authority for IPS is the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Cadre size: 3549 posts (direct recruitment – 70%, promotion 30%).
The selected candidates’ training ground is at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy.
Functions of IPS Officers

The opportunity to provide instant relief to people made her set her mind on the civil services. After two unsuccessful attempts, she cleared it in 2002. Her father’s police background and her staunch belief that a uniform commands respect made her choose the Indian Police Service.

Her first assignment, as a probationer in 2004, was at Gulbarga district and she had to manage the crime-ridden Afzalpur during that election year. Wasn’t that tough for an inexperienced officer? “I worked hard and ensured order. The local politicians didn’t have the courage to speak to me. It was challenging and I really enjoyed it,” she says.

The next posting was at Bailhongal in Belgaum district. There, she had to control the people’s wrath against the police over a custodial death at Ramdurg police station. “My personal goodwill made a difference,” is her take on the matter.

In 2006 came her controversial stint, at Davanagere. Renukacharya created a furore accusing her of slapping him in public. Did she really do that? “We had imposed prohibitory orders but both Congress and BJP workers defied it and gathered at a place. As the situation was going out of control, we asked them to disperse in vain. We had to lathicharge and in the melee, he also got some blows,” is all she says about it.

Quiz her on her frequent run-ins, especially with politicians and her explanation is: “I am fair to all. I go by the law. I am too straightforward. Yes, some times, it creates differences of opinion with some people. But, in my experience, most politicians want senior officers to be fair.”

HOW TO JOIN Indian Police Service (IPS)?

The Indian Police Service (IPS) was formed in the year of 1948. It is one of the three All India Services.(The other two are Indian Forest Services and Indian Administrative Services). The cadre controlling authority for IPS is the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Cadre size: 3549 posts (direct recruitment – 70%, promotion 30%).
The selected candidates’ training ground is at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy.

Secrets Of Success Of IAS Toppers 2012-13

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The final results of the Civil Services Examination 2012-13 were out on May 3, 2013 and as usual, they did not spring any surprise.Rather, they underscored the same trends that had been seen for quite some time. Like the previous years’ results, this time also results showed that candidates from the technical background do well, as two of the top three candidates have technical background. The topper Ms. Haritha V. Kumar, 27, is a B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication from the University of Kerala and Dr. V. Sriram, the 2nd Position holder, is an M.B.B.S. from the same university. The Third Position has been secured by Ms. Stuti Charan who holds a B.Sc. from Jodhpur University. The results this time also show two of the three top ranks being secured by female candidates which is a very encouraging sign, as India has been talking of woman empowerment very seriously and a lot has been attempted too.

Among the top 25, six made it to the merit list in their first attempt, nine in the second and eight’ in the third. Two candidates had taken the test for the fourth and sixth attempts.

As many as four were already selected for services other than IAS on the basis of exams held in previous years. Ms. Haritha was allotted Indian Revenue Service (Central Excise and Customs) in the 2011 exam.

This year’s result also showcases the pan-India distribution of successful candidates. Among the top 25, there are candidates claiming domicile from as many as 12 States and Union Territories—Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Most of the toppers — 1 2 of 25—had appeared in the exam from Delhi centres followed by four from Thiruvanantha-puram, two each from Chennai and Hyderabad and one each from Jammu, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Allahabad.

The family background of those who did well shows diverse representation from all walks of life with their parents being farmers, teachers, businesspersons, government employees, doctors, advocates and professors.

When Ms. Haritha V. Kumar first took the Civil Services Examination, she fell short of 18 marks in clearing the Mains. But that did not dishearten her. Rather it gave her the confidence that she can crack the exam—and realise a childhood dream-—if she gave it a small push. Four years and an equal number of attempts later, ask her about how her interview went and she brightens up. “They asked me the four issues that plague India. I told them corruption, poverty, (lack of) women’s security and unemploymentparticularly of the educated,”

Ms. Haritha told the media-persons at the National Institute of Customs, Excise and Narcotics in Faridabad where she is currently training as an IRS officer.

“They then asked me to suggest a single solution to tackle the four issues,” she said. Her reply was “transparency with the use of ICT (Information Communication

Technolog}’)”. That, she believes, was among her best answers. Born and brought up in Thiruvananthapuram, she completed her schooling from a Malayalam-medium school and then obtained an Engineering degree in Electronics and Communication from the Government Engineering College. Early on in her life, she had decided to become an IAS officer though. After graduating from college in 2007, she started preparing for IAS and opted for Economics and Malayalam as her subjects. “I believe Economics is the underlying problem to all issues India is facing. So I wanted to have a deep knowledge of the subject,” she said. In her first attempt in 2009, she fell short of 18 marks from clearing the Mains. “I thought when I could come this far with such shabby preparation, I could surely do better with a little more study,” said Ms. Haritha, who is fond of reading books, particularly Kahlil Gibran, and usually watches Malayalam movies. In 2010, she cleared IRS but her heart was in IAS. “I felt IRS would not give me the opportunity to serve the people the way IAS would do. I tried again. Moreover, IRS gives us extraordinary leave for a year to prepare for the exam. I availed that facility and cleared it this time.” Ms. Haritha considers the friends she made at IRS one of her biggest supporters and a factor for her selection. Before she joined IRS, her background prevented her from possessing a command over English.

Dr. Sriram Venkittaraman and Ms. Stuti Charan have bagged second and third positions, respectively in the examination. Dr. Sriram, who has earned Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) from Kerala University, has achieved the distinction in his second attempt. Ms. Charan has done Bachelor of Science from Jodhpur University and Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel and Marketing Management from the Indian Institute of Planning and Management
(IIPM), Delhi. It was her third attempt. An ecstatic Dr V. Sriram, who got the second position, said he was ‘overwhelmed’. “I am on cloud nine,” Dr. Sriram, who is doing his first year Post Graduation in General Medicine at the SCB Medical College at Cuttack told the mediapersons when contacted. He said that he had appeared for the UPSC Examination last year, but did not clear it. This time, he had done well both in the written examination and interview Dr. Sriram, who hails from Kochi, did his schooling at the Bhavan’s, Girinagar, passing out in 2004 and graduation in die Trivandrum Medical College in 2010. Asked about the reaction of his parents, he said they were surprised. “Nobody expected a second rank,” he said. Fourth ranked Dr. Alby John Varghese, hailing from Muvattupuzha, said that he was very happy with the result. Dr. Alby, who did his M.B.B.S. from Jubilee Mission Medical College, said that IAS was his first option. “I was interested in Civil Services as I wanted to work for the people in lower strata of society,” he said. Ms. Shena Aggarwal, an M.B.B.S. from the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), had bagged the top slot in the Civil Services Examination 2011, while Chennai-based law graduate Ms. S. Divyadharshini topped the list in the 2010 exam.

Jodhpur’s Ms. Stuti Charan has secured third position in country’s most coveted exam. This was her third attempt for this exam. Ms. Charan’s father is appointed with the Rajasthan State Warehouse as Deputy Director and mother is working as a lecturer with a private school. Despite being an MBA, Ms. Charan chose Agriculture and Botany subjects. During the entire tenure of preparation for the exam, she did not take any coaching classes and did everything on her own. Ms. Charan told the mediapersons, “I feel that Agriculture needs a big boost in our country, considering the fact that more than 50% of the population depends on this sector. Sadly, its contribution to the economy stands at mere 3%. Hence, I
seriously wish to work in this “direction”. Apart from being an avid reader, Ms. Charan is also into writing poetry. She gives all the credit of success to her parents and sister for their constant support and encouragement.

The son of a police constable, the daughter of an IAS officer, a practising Chartered Accountant and the son of a semi-literate farmer from a small village all stand on the same podium despite their varied economic, educational and social backgrounds. Such is the interesting combination of candidates from Andhra Pradesh which tasted success in die Civil Services Examination 2012-13. State topper and ranked 16, K. Shashanka is a practising Chartered Accountant who derived inspiration from his uncle, retired as a Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO). “Watching him closely, I understood the change a government officer can bring,” he says. Mr. Shashanka left his cushy job at Ernst & Young and chose the Civil Services with the aim of contributing to society. Ms. G. Srijana, who was ranked  44th, is the daughter of senior IAS officer Mr. G. Balaramaiah. A Ph.D in ‘Human Rights and Refugees’, getting into the Civil Services was a childhood dream for Ms. Srijana given the atmosphere at home. She worked with Dr. Reddy’s Foundation on juvenile homes earlier and their education before joining Group-I services in 2012. “I dedicate this to my father,” Ms. Srijana said. J. Meghanatha Reddy, who secured the 55th rank, hails from an agriculture family from Proddutur and dreamt of being a Civil Servant since childhood as his father wanted him to be one. He preferred to do his B.A. despite bagging a seat at BITS, Pilani, Goa campus. “My friends thought I was crazy; but I wras focussed,” says Meghanatha who is presently undergoing training in the Indian Railways Personnel Service in Mumbai. Meghanatha did his B.A. from Nizam College and M.A. (Economics) from Hyderabad Central University. The 101 ranker, Dr. Narasimhugari Tej Lohith Reddy might end up being the boss of his father, a police head constable at Kamalapuram police station. Dr. Lohith, w7ho is an M.B.B.S. from Osmania Medical College, is assured of an IPS. However, he also stands a chance to get the IAS. Dr. Lohith cracked the exam inhis first attempt and he decided to take a shot only in his final-year M.B.B.S. Hailing from Sunkesula village in Kadapa district, he secured the 6th rank in the EAMCET medical stream. “The Chois is a great platform to serve people and as a doctor my services will be limited to a few people,” he says.

Saagar Srivastava of Patna, Bihar has made it to All India merit list in Civil Services Exams 2012-13 (rank 291) and is likely to get to the IPS. What is remarkable about his success is that he has made it to the prestigious merit list while working full time in one of the world’s top banking institution, the Royal Bank of London (RBS) at London Office in its Investment Banking Division. Saagar has been working there as an Analyst, and then as an Associate after promotion, under a hugely demanding professional rigor, which is the hallmark of these world- level institutions. Thus, was left with very little time for preparing for the exams, and he did so mosdy on weekends, though at many occasions he had to work for the Bank even on weekends. He flew from London to Patna to appear for his Prelims with just 4-5 days in hand, which he cleared. Then he took the tough Written exam under these demanding conditions of his professional life at the RBS, again coming to Patna with about 10-12 days in hand. Yet, he succeeded at that stage and then faced the interview and finally cleared appearing in the merit list. Saagar has a remarkable academic career along with equally passionate contribution in other fields. At DPS Bokaro, he was elected as the President (Head Boy) of the School. He joined the Fergusson College, Pune for his Economics Honours, where he was one of the toppers and in all three years achieved distinction in all papers. At Fergusson, while excelling in his studies, he got awards for his drama, organised the first-ever cultural fest Oorja, led his team to IIT-Bombay’s nationally renowned Mood Indigo Fest and got awards, was adjudged the best Speaker in the UN Assembly Moot Competition and so forth. Thereafter, with an outstanding score in GRE (800/800 in Maths; 6/6 in analytical Section), he was selected by the London School of Economics to pursue Master’s in Economics at the LSE with an award of full scholarship. He cleared it with First Class Merit and thereafter wTas selected by the prestigious Royal Bank of England at its key London Office, from where he took his Civil Services Exam in 2012.

Engineers and doctors in the Tricity (Chandigarh-Panchkula-Mohali) did well in Civil Services Exam. The highest rank in Tricity has been secured by Dr. Ankita Chakravarty (AIR 17), who did her M.B.B.S. from AIIMS. The Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sector 26 alumnus cleared CSE in her first attempt. Harpreet Singh of Sector 22 of Chandigarh secured rank 22. Among the top 100, ranks 59 and 80 also have been bagged by candidates from the Tricity. Parth Gupta, son of a Haryana IAS officer bagged rank 59 and Ms. Kriti Garg, sister of a sub-divisional magistrate in Chandigarh, bagged rank 80. “My focus will be on gender empowerment and I will work in that direction while carrying out my responsibilities as a civil servant,” said Dr. Ankita, who has been a consistent topper. “When I entered the private sector, I observed a drastic change in the quality of work in what I was doing and what my father was doing,” said Parth, son of S.S. Prasad, a Haryana cadre IAS officer. “It was my first attempt and I am glad I could crack the Mains without toiling for hours like others. Rank 80 was lucky for me. My sister also had the same rank when she cracked the Civil Services,” said Ms. Kriti Garg, sister of SDM Tanvi Garg.

Rishi Garg, 27, secured all India 49th rank in the Civil Services Examination. Unable to contain the joy, Lucknow-based Rishi, who was in Faridabad, said: “It’s a moment worth living. I feel my hard work has paid. I am fortunate to be among the toppers.” This was Rishi’s second attempt for the UPSC Civil Services. A graduate from IIT-Kanpur, Rishi worked as a patent engineer in an intellectual property rights firm for two years. In 2010, he quit the job to,prepare exclusively for the Civil Services. In 2011, his first attempt in UPSC, Rishi secured AIR-398 and joined Indian Revenue Services. He is presently undergoing training for Customs and Central Excise Department. Son of a retired executive engineer, Mr. Ashok Kumar Garg, Rishi said, “I am fortunate to have support of my parents.” To accomplish his goal, Rishi spent 10 hours a day studying. Securing AIR-28, Yogendra Singh is native of Unnao. He did his graduation from Lucknow University. With an AIR-273, Ms. Sawni Dikshit was overjoyed. This was Sawni’s third attempt in Civil Services. Already working as Assistant Director, Regional Evaluation Office, Planning Commission, Ms. Sawni believes in hard work and dedication. She thanked her husband Dr. V.P Singh, a cardiologist, and her parents for her success. Ms. Sawni’s father, Mr. O.P. Dikshit, is currently serving as DG Vigilance, Lucknow, while her mother, Ms. Manju Dikshit, is an English teacher. Other city toppers include Gaurav Kumar Singh (AIR-190) and Anurag Tripathi (AIR-350).

Delivering their best performance ever, eight Kashmiris among 11 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir cracked the prestigious Indian Civil Services Examination. Ms. Sehrish, Showkat and Khurshid who have made it in die top 100 would get the IAS cadre. Adnan Nayeem Asmi with 189th rank, Naveed Trumboo with 386th rank, Abid Sadiq with 501st rank, Amanullah Tak with 571st rank and Ruveda Salam Bajjad with 820th rank are the other candidates from the Valley while Anchita Pandoh with 446th, Arun Kumar with 716th and Iftakhar Ahmed Chowdhry with 902nd rank cracked the UPSC Exam from Jammu.

Talking to mediapersons over phone from Karnataka, Ms. Sehrish, the topper fromJ&K last year became the first female Indian Police Services officer from Kashmir, said: “I was inspired to work for my society and the great potential of the IAS that makes a positive indelible contribution for its growth and development of the entire society,” Ms. Sehrish, an M.B.B.S., had taken Sociology and Urdu Literature as subjects for the UPSC Exam. Ms. Sehrish is the daughter of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLC Syed Asghar Ali. Ms. Sehrish’s father Asghar said that he felt proud with his daughter’s achievement. Asghar said he raised Ms. Sehrish up teaching her about religion besides the worldly affairs. “I told her to chase her dream but always be a tool to bring betterment in your village, State and country,” he said. Wishing to remain close to his own people in Jammu and Kashmir, Showkat Ahmad Parray, who hails from Kreeri tehsil in Baramulla qualified the coveted exam for the second time. He had qualified the UPSC Exam in 2009-10 and was posted as Assistant Postal Officer. “I was not exposed to the system of examination for IAS when I qualified it first time and I landed in a department not of my choice. Now, I have qualified die exam with 41st rank and would like to work in social sector,” Showkat said and wished to be placed in Jammu and Kashmir under the LS cadre.

It was a dream come true for Ms. Komal Pravinbhai Ganatra when she learnt that she had secured 591th rank in the Civil Services Exam 2012-13. Ms. Komal, who is a primary school teacher in a remote village of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, expects to join Indian Revenue Service (IRS). She is among the 11 candidates from Gujarat who have cleared the CSE this time. Daughter of a retired primary school teacher at Savarkundla in Amreli district, Ms. Komal is now determined to fight a legal battle with her NRI husband, Shailesh Popat, who is setded in New Zealand. Barely 15 days after her marriage five years ago, she was deserted by her husband, because her parents could not meet the dowry demand.

Competition Success Ms. Apurva Dubey, IAS Topper 2012-13 (19th Position)

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IAS Toppers 2012-13 Talk To You
Competition Success Review Is Definitely Very Popular Among IAS Aspirants And It Undoubtedly Provides A Very Comprehensive View Of All The Current Topics
—Ms. Apurva Dubey, IAS Topper 2012-13 (19th Position)

Ms. Apurva Dubey, a graduate from Delhi University, has achieved the 19th Position in the 2012-13 Civil Services Examination. We publish here an exclusive interview she gave to Competition Success Review.

Q. Which newspapers and journals have you been reading for the General Studies and other papers ?
A. I have been a regular reader of The Hindu, and so- far as journals are concerned, I read Competition Success Review regularly.
Q. Competition Success Review has been extremely helpful because…
A. It provides a comprehensive overview of all the current topics. So it helps a lot in focussing over the current topics, and thus keeps you updated.
Q. How did your parents, family and friends contribute to your success ?
A. Everybody supported me in every way that was possible. My father imbued in me great confidence and my mother and sister were a source of emotional support. And my friends wished well for me and helped me in many ways. Particularly, Shalabh, Rishi and Sharad.
Q. How do you visualise your success ?
A. When I look at it as a student, I think it is certainly a success. But more than that I am happy that it is the beginning of a new phase where I will be able to be a part of public service, a dream which I always cherished.
Q. What are your strong points which enabled you to achieve spectacular success in the Civil Services Examination ?
A. As far as strong points are concerned, I have been focussed and hard-working. So, with everyone’s support I could carry on with my work and that has finally paid off.
Q. What were your Optionals at the Civil Services Examination ?
A. Law and Public Administration.
Q. How many attempts had you made earlier before you got selected ?

A This was my second attempt. In my first attempt, I could not clear the Mains.

Q. What was your criterion for the selection of the Optional subjects ?
A. Law was something I was pursuing from the Delhi University Law Faculty, and so I chose this subject.
And I opted for Public Administration because of its general nature.
Q. How did you prepare for your compulsory papers ?
A. For Law I mostly referred to printed material of Ambition Law Institute. For the Constitution part in specific, I referred to a few other books also. For Public Administration, I read Mohit Bhattacharya, Synergy material and Fadia.
Q. Competition Success Review is the largest read youth magazine in English. How do you visualise the role of this magazine in moulding the careers of the youth ?
A. CSR is definitely very popular among IAS aspirants and it undoubtedly provides a very comprehensive view of all the current topics. Regular reading of it will surely help aspirants in brushing up on the current happenings all around.
Q. How did CSR help you in your preparation for the interview ?
A. I read the tips and guides for interview. It instilled confidence in me by giving tips about many normal things that I tend to skip.

Q. How do you look upon the publication of CSR in Hindi ? Do you think that the mindset and basic approach of Knglish medium students are fundamentally different from those of the Hindi medium students ?

A. I think it was much needed. There is a paucity of materials in Hindi and Hindi medium students are really benefited by the publication of CSR in Hindi.
Q. What is your opinion about Competition Success Review?
A. CSR is a must-read for UPSC exams. It is very lucid in its presentation.
Q. Since when have you been reading Competition Success Review ?
A. I have been reading CSRsince 2010 when I first planned to take this exam.
Q. Did your father and/or mother also read Competition Success Review when they were of your age ? If so, who read and when ?
A. My father has been a reader of this magazine. He still reads it.
Q. What is your opinion about General Knowledge Today?
A. General Knowledge Todayfocusses more on understanding and less on factual data. It is expansive, so reading it with understanding helps a lot.

CSR : Thank you. CJR wishes you all the best in life.

Source: CSR.

Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar , 118th rank

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Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar , 118th rank

‘Being a civil servant, I can be a ‘doctor’ for the whole society’

After finishing her MBBS degree, she topped the State Civil Service exams in 2011 and became the first woman in Jammu & Kashmir to achieve the feat.

Yet it did not stop her urge to achieve something bigger and she qualified for the IAS recently. Syed Sehrish Asgar has become a second generation civil services officer as her father, Syed Asghar was a 1977-batch Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officer, before joining politics and becoming an MLC. Having done her schooling from Presentation Convent in Jammu and being a topper all through, she joined Batra Medical College in 2003 and secured first position in the MBBS in 2009.

Dr Sehrish Asghar’s grandfather Peer Nizam-ud-Din was a renowned social worker of Kishtwar in Jammu division and also an MLA from Kishtwar constituency. Her family is known for preaching religious teachings to the people of Kishtwar for several generations.

* What inspired you to join the civil service?

> My father who was in civil service was my motivation. There are no female role models who represent Jammu & Kashmir as most of the women here are in traditional fields. They are either being told to become doctors or teachers. I want to prove that women can do well in administration also.

* You topped the KAS exam last year. Did the idea of cracking IAS came to you after that or were you aiming for it even earlier?

> I prepared for each stage without taking pressure of success or failure of making the next grade. When I was in school I liked science subjects so much and that was the reason I joined MBBS. But in college I realised that if I became a civil servant I can be a ‘doctor’ for the whole society, which wasn’t possible if I had only been a physician. I looked out for those who had already qualified these exams and interacted with them on how to go about it.

* Despite topping State Civil Service (SCS), you opted to take up the IAS…

> SCS is a prestigious service, but when you join IAS you get bigger platform for policy formulation. You can contribute at higher levels and that motivated me to go for IAS. More and more youth should serve the state in future so that the state will move forward on various developmental fronts.

* Was Shah Faisal (2009 IAS topper) your role model?

> Even after Faisal, people who qualified are the role models. When you look at your role models, you actually believe you can also do it.

* You are only the second woman from the state to qualify for IAS. How’s the feeling?

> Obviously elated, but it has been a team work. My parents, friends and classmates have all contributed to my success. I am grateful to God.

* What’s your advice to women candidates of the state who aspire to qualify for the civil service?

> My message is that their ability and intelligence, if not more, is equal to that of boys. Whosoever tells the girls that they aren’t capable, they shouldn’t listen to them and believe in their own abilities. Women are adept at making homes and careers as well.
Why can’t they be good administrators?

* What is the reason that more candidates from J&K are taking up civil service now?

> Earlier there weren’t a lot of role models. But now the number of role models is increasing. If you qualify, 10 others get motivated and when 10 qualify they motivate 100 others. And in the process it becomes a chain reaction.

* Tell us how your family supported you to achieve this goal?

> You need a lot of time to prepare for civil services which isn’t possible without the full support from your family. My parents always helped me to the optimum. Being a doctor and telling my parents that I want to change my field was a big step. But they always encouraged me.

* What is your aim in life now?

> My aim is to serve the poor people of the state, particularly, the people of my home district Kishtwar.

* Of late female foeticide has become an issue in the state. As an administrator how do you look at it?

> Female foeticide is linked to degrading position of women in society. Orphan girls, prostitution and other social issues are linked with the female foeticide. And in any conflict situation women bear the brunt. Same is happening in our state also.

* Being a doctor and now a civil servant, what is your solution to this problem?

> Proper control mechanisms have to be put in place. It is an organised crime and a medical problem. It (female foeticide) can’t happen without the support and help of doctors, para-medical staff and clinical labs. It is a racket which needs to be tackled properly.

* How do you react to people outside the state who think that Kashmir is burning due to internal conflict?

> Anti-social elements and people who don’t want peace are less in number compared to people who want peace. They want peace, justice and development like the people of other states of the country. Anti-social elements are in every part of the world just like in Kashmir. So we shouldn’t link everything happening in Kashmir with conflict. Kashmiris are peace-loving people and they too want development and other facilities like people in the rest of the world.

India’s balance of trade

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India has had a favourable balance of trade with 105 countries over the last three years. The top 10 out of these trade partners are the US, the Netherlands, Singapore, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Bahamas, Nepal and the UK. These 10 countries collectively have a 35 percent share in India’s export basket in 2012-13 (till September 2012).

India has been running a deficit in trade with 48 countries ever the last three years. China. Switzerland, Saudi Arabia. Australia. Nigeria, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq. South Korea and Qatar are the top ten among these countries. In India’s total exports, the combined share of these ten countries in 2012-13 (till September 2012) is 13.5 percent.

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