Sultana Parveen / Katihar (Bihar)
“I got 290th rank in UPSC 2019 exam, but my target was not this,” said Shubham Kumar, the Civil services topper of 2020.
He was working in the Indian National Defense Account Service. He never felt he belonged to the place. He kept thinking that he is not meant for this job; he must do something else. He felt this way he was not able to serve the country nor was the job making him happy.
He decided to write the UPSC examination for Civil Services once again leaving the 290th rank he had obtained earlier behind.
Shubham topped the examination; he had embarked on the journey he desired.
Shubham is a resident of Kumhari village of Kadwa block of Seemanchal Katihar, Bihar. He passed his tenth in 2012 from Vidya Vihar, a school in Purnea. Thereafter, he completed his 12th from Chinmaya School of Bokaro, Jharkhand, and got admission into civil engineering in IIT, Mumbai.
After topping the Civil services exam, Shubham Kumar came to his ancestral house. This correspondent, who went to meet him for this interview found it was almost impossible to meet Shubham Kumar.
As soon as the result of the UPSC exam 2020 was declared, the people of Kumhari village had started arriving at his ancestral house while Shubham was still away in Mumbai.
The village wore a festive look to welcome the brilliant son of the soil as the people came to know that he would visit home. Welcome arches have been erected on the main road in the east and west of the village for about 30 km from Purnia, the closet city.
One can find a big welcome arch for Shubham at the entrance to village Kumhari. There is another one close to his house. Such elaborate welcome is not accorded to even a minister.
The villagers sitting in a huddle on the threshold of shops in the marketplace are talking about Shubham. Someone remembers an anecdote from his childhood while the other person would wonder what Shubham would do after joining his job.
Meanwhile, if a stranger, like this scribe, walks into the village and asks for directions to Shubham's house, rest assured all the people will walk him to the place.
In the compound of Shubham Kumar’s house, a large shamiana (awning) has been erected. Some people – family and visitors – are sitting in the area. Two cows are tethered close to the awning.
There is a chikoo tree laden with unripe and small brown fruits.
When this reporter reached there, Shubham was speaking to someone – probably to media persons inside the house. Sitting in the compound, one could hear him. Later someone explained that he was speaking to some news channel on his mobile.
After a while, he came out with his father Devanand Singh and both sat on chairs on the porch of the house. A gunman stood in attention close to Shubham Kumar. Subham has achieved status by just clearing the examination and therefore the local police have provided him security.
A sanitizer dispenser is kept at a table and visitors are directed to use it before meeting Shubham. They are also handed over facial masks to wear.
There is a beeline of people wanting to meet Shubham. As soon as Shubham comes inside the canopy a large o of people gherao him. He speaks to some.
He spoke with Awaz-the Voice and shared his plans.
In the conversation, Shubham Kumar said he would shoulder all responsibilities he is given. However, he says he has a strong desire to work for rural development in Bihar.
On the youth, he said the younger generation has big dreams as their thought process is quite widespread. However, the youth need a plan of action to achieve the dream. Besides, support from parents and family, and also friends, is also needed for success.
What is the mantra for his success?” Subham says he used to study for seven to eight hours per day and during the examination, it would stretch to ten hours.
Speaking about the mass migration of youth from Bihar for studies, Shubham Kumar said when a state is not able to develop this is bound to happen. There is an exodus of capital. However, for quite some time now we can see that Bihar too is on the path of development. Now UPSC preparation is possible in Bihar also. Internet is proving to be very helpful in this.
However, he cautioned the youth on the usage of the internet. it is important to have proper use of internet and mobile. Leaving studies and using it for playing games on mobile is a waste of time and resources. He has never played a game on mobile.
