Becoming a police officer was not that easy for Mr. Pratap Gopendra Yadav, who is currently SP, DGP Headquarters, in Lucknow. Coming from a village, he had to struggle to find his way into IPS, one of the most prestigious services in India. Not someone to shy away from hard work, thanks to his rural upbringing, he crossed all hurdles on the way with great zeal and a determination to succeed.
Having served in various districts as SP and also as SP, Training in Moradabad, the 2012-batch officer of UP cadre has had an illustrious journey and is one among the efficient officers of the state. However, all this didn’t come easy. Years of hard work helped him reach this far.
Indian Masterminds presents his story today – the story of a village boy with dreams in his eyes becoming an IPS officer and following his passion of writing at the same time.
INSECURITY WAS DRIVING FORCE
Mr. Yadav’s father ran a small village dispensary. He was very active socially and used to do a lot for others. He always motivated his son to do something for the people but till graduation, Mr. Yadav had absolutely no idea of what to do.
He completed his 10th from a high school in the village and 12th from Shibli International college. Then he went to Banaras for pursuing BSc.
While speaking to media, he had said, “Many of my friends were doing medical and six of them succeeded. Once my father also expressed his wish for that, but I didn’t want him to take any loan. He used to earn decent money to provide us food and education but he didn’t earn enough to get rid of our insecurity”, he said.
After graduation, many young people around him went to Allahabad for preparation for competitive exams. He also followed them. He didn’t have any idea about PCS or UPSC till then.
“One thing was clear. I didn’t want to take money from parents or burden them. So, insecurity and self-respect was the biggest motivators in my life,” the officer said.
He also added that becoming an officer wasn’t his dream. He just wanted to have a decent life.
“I believe middle-class people don’t have dreams. Their needs eventually become their dreams and then passion.”
GAVE MANY COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Mr. Yadav came to Allahabad for preparation in 2004 but he didn’t attempt UPSC till 2008.
“In Allahabad most of the people used to focus on PCS and lower. I also followed the same as I didn’t have any idea. One day a senior realised that I am comfortable in English and he told me that the boys in Allahabad only gave Prelims of UPSC because they are weak in English. They don’t write Mains and instead focus on PCS or lower. He advised that since I knew English, I should go the full way in UPSC.”
His words influenced him a lot and Mr. Yadav gave his first Prelims for UPSC in 2008 and reached till the interview round. He wrote another Mains in 2010 and simultaneously kept trying for PCS and Lower. He got selected as Supply Inspector in Lower and then treasury officer through PCS in 2009.
It was in 2012 when he cracked UPSC with 292 rank. He had few attempts left and could have tried again for IAS, but decided not to.
“When the results came and my father realised that I am getting home cadre in IPS, he said I should stop now. I accepted it and here I am.”
FOLLOWING HIS PASSION
Mr. Yadav is passionate about writing. He has written two books till now. One is about his village, Fattanpur : Mera Gaon, Mere Log and the other is Itihas ke Aaine me Azamgarh. The book on Azamgarh has won a prize from UP Hindi Institute.
He believes that it was his writing skills that helped him in all exams.
“80% marks in UPSC Mains depend on how you write things. Your personality is judged from that. So, I advise students to write and practice as much as they can.”
