Young Muslims from backwaters of India making it to Civil Services

New Delhi: Maybe the Sachar Committee report has opened their eyes.
The community knew it is backward but had little clue it is lagging so
much behind the other communities in the country. The surge in the
number of Muslims making it to UPSC shows the educated youths of the
community now want to uplift it, and in the process contribute in
nation building, on their own. The final list of successful candidates
of the Civil Services examination 2008, released on May 4, has 32
Muslims, 4.04% of successful 791 candidates, a better progress from
3.6% in 2007. More heartening is the fact that many of the successful
Muslim youths this year have come from humble background and are from
the backwaters of the country.
Akhtar Hussain Ansari comes from Siwan in Bihar. His father runs a
school and a madrasa in the village. Akhtar, who did schooling in his
home town and graduation and post-graduation from Delhi University,
has cracked the Civil Services examination in first attempt. He is
ranked 453 in the final result of UPSC 2008.
Salik Perwez hails from Araria in Bihar. He did schooling in hometown
and graduation from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. His father
is Araria district correspondent of Hindi daily Hindustan and mother
homemaker. Ranked 603 in the UPSC 2008, Salik cleared it in second
attempt.
Similarly, Shahid Alam comes from a humble background. He hails from
Ranchi in Jharkhand. He did graduation and post-graduation in
geography from Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. His family was not in
position to bear the expenses of his higher education and UPSC
preparation. A Muslim charity in Delhi came out to help him and he
cleared India's top Civil Services in first attempt.
Below is a brief talk with some of the successful Muslim candidates of
UPSC 2008.



Akhtar Hussain Ansari (Rank 453)
Credit for his success: My parents without whose help I could not make
it. Then my teachers.
Inspiration: I was not good in education. I thought it would be very
tough to clear it. I have many friends who cleared civil services.
This inspired me and I thought I can also do.
State: Siwan, Bihar
Education: X from Bihar Board, XII from CBSE, graduation from Shaheed
Bhagat Singh College of Delhi University, and post-graduation from
Delhi School of Economics, then M. Phil and now doing Ph.D. from Jamia
Millia Islamia.
Family: Six brothers and two sisters. They live with parent in the
village. Father runs a school and a madrasa in the village.
Turning point: When I came to Delhi I thought I won't get much. I was
weak in education. I joined DU and topped in graduation. Though did
schooling in Hindi medium but did graduation in English medium. Then I
thought I have potential and I can achieve the goal.
Message to the youth of Muslim community: When I joined Jamia Millia
Islamia and came in contact with the community, I found there is a
pool of talent. They need some inspiration and determination,
commitment and honesty. They have talent and they can achieve anything
they want.



Salik Perwez (Rank 603)
Credit: Alimighty God and then father who stood behind me as an
inspiring rock. My father always pushed me to do something extra.
Inspiration: I have never been inspired by any personality for UPSC. I
thought it will be a better platform to serve people. Earning money
was not a problem for me.
State: Araria, Bihar
Education: Schooling in hometown, graduation in French language from
Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Family: Father is district correspondent of Hindi daily Hindustan in
Araria, mother homemaker
Turning point: In school life I was much interested in sports and had
my own sports club, my uncle was also a sportsperson. Once my teacher
told me not to look to my uncle, rather to my father (journalist) .
From then I got serious to study.
Message to the youth of Muslim community: Work hard, be focused. There
is no discrimination. Go ahead, Wish you luck!



Shahid Alam (Rank 540)
Credit: Almighty Allah, my parent, the Dept. of Geography of Jamia
Millia Islamia and Dr Zafar Mahmood, director, Zakat Foundation of
India.
Inspiration: To serve the society from very close quarter motivated me
lot.
State: Jharkhand
Education: Graduation, post-graduation in Geography from Jamia Millia
Islamia, doing Ph.D. from the same university
Family: One younger sister and parent
Message to the youth of Muslim community: The country needs your
service. So please come out.



Tariq Mabood (Rank 499)
Credit: My parents, teachers and Hamdard Study Circle
Inspiration: I was commandant in CRPF. Earlier a teacher in UP. I
thought Muslim representation in UPSC is low. So we should come out
and try to grab it.
State: Banda, Uttar Pradesh
Education: Graduation from Pandit Jain College in Banda,
post-graduation from Jhansi University, and B.Ed. from Kanpur
University. I came to Delhi and joined Hamdard Study Circle. Cleared
UPSC in first attempt.
Family: Father is Sub Inspector in UP police, mother homemaker, has
one elder brother and two sisters. Sisters are also preparing for
UPSC.
Message to the youth of Muslim community: A couplet of Josh
Maleehabadi: Kaam hai mera tagaiur aur naam hai mera shabab naara hai
mera inquilab inquilab inquilab (it means: change is my work, youth is
my name, my slogan is revolution, revolution, revolution)