https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Tale of Two States: Growing Up in Rajasthan, Working in Kerala

Retired IAS officer Teeka Ram Meena launched his first book – an autobiography – titled Tholkilla Njan. The book has been published in Malayalam but will soon be translated into English and Hindi. It sums up his eventful journey of 34 years in the service with interesting anecdotes from his life in two states - Rajasthan and Kerala.
Indian Masterminds Stories

1988-batch IAS officer Teeka Ram Meena had an interesting journey as a civil servant before he retired in March 2022 as Additional Chief Secretary, Economic and Planning Affairs, Kerala, after a long run of 34 years in the service.

To sum up his eventful journey of these 34 years, the retired IAS officer wrote his autobiography Tholkilla Njan, which was recently published. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, he shared details about his book and his days in the service. 

ABOUT THOLKILLA NJAN

The officer wrote the book, keeping in mind the youth of our country. It imparts immense motivation to youngsters, especially those belonging to the rural areas who face difficulties while writing the Civil Service Examination.

“I have narrated my own experiences, challenges, and the difficulties that I faced in my childhood. Through this book, I just wish to impart a simple message, that IAS isn’t impossible to achieve. It is possible provided the aspirants put their whole heart into it and work hard and sincerely for it.” 

EARLY LIFE

As a young child, Mr. Meena was deprived of basic facilities in his village, like electricity, transportation, and proper schools. He completed his primary education from a kuccha one-room hutment under a tree. His middle school was located six kilometers away from his home, which was difficult to reach as a river flowed between the village and the school.

“During monsoons, it was impossible for us to go to school. Therefore, we learned to swim and swam across the river to reach our school every day. We kept two pairs of uniforms – one that was worn while swimming and the other to change into later on.” 

After completing his school education, he moved to college, which was some 70 kilometers away. His parents’ undying belief in him motivated him to go for it. They toiled in the field day and night for his education. Alongside his college studies, he also lent a helping hand to his parents in the fields.

“We had cattle at our place. I used to take them to the forest for grazing and sit there studying for hours, doing my homework, and preparing. Those were difficult days with no sign of the green revolution. My mother toiled really hard the entire day to feed us. My mother’s sacrifice and my father’s determination gave us immense courage even though we grew up under such difficult situations.” 

INTO CIVIL SERVICES

Fortunately for the officer, his elder brother cracked UPSC CSE and became an IPS officer in the year 1977. He took Mr. Meena to Delhi along with him, where he enrolled himself at the Delhi University and started learning English, and completed his M.A degree in Political Science. Soon after, he started preparing for UPSC CSE and cleared the exam in 1988.

“I was married with children by the time I got into the service. My first posting was in Kerala, and I worked very hard because it was culturally totally different for me, having lived in Rajasthan my whole life. The language, food, people, culture, politics, administration – everything was so different than what I had grown up seeing. I had to face many challenges in the initial few months, but I decided to give my best to the people of the state. They in return gave me tremendous love and support which helped me through.” 

Mr. Meena has a special inclination towards Malayalam and can speak, read, and write the language fluently, which is why he has published his book in that language. Learning it is one of the proudest achievements of his life, he says.

LAUNCH OF THE BOOK

Apart from his official duties as a civil servant, the officer took numerous motivational classes and guided children in schools and colleges of Kerala by sharing his experiences with them. 

“Several people asked me to jot down my experiences for everyone to read as it will be very useful for the youth. Therefore, I made my first attempt to write with this book. Right now, the book is in Malayalam, but we are planning to translate it into English and Hindi soon so that the entire country is able to read it.” 

The book was launched by a Member of Parliament and former diplomat, Mr. Shashi Tharoor, and besides being well received by the readers, it has been critically acclaimed as well.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IAS officer Talo Potom
HIV Scandal: Arunachal Pradesh IAS Officer Talo Potom Arrested Over 19-Year-Old’s Alleged Suicide – Full Case Details
MY Bharat Portal
Crore Youth Join MY Bharat Portal: How India’s Young Force Is Powering Viksit Bharat 2047
covid-19 doctors compensation
Supreme Court Sends Strong Message on COVID-19 Doctors Compensation — Govt Asked to Act Fast
IREDA
S&P Global Upgrades IREDA’s Credit Rating to ‘BBB’ with Stable Outlook, Boosting Renewable Energy Financing
Vishnu Deo Sai Chhath Mahaparv
Chhath Mahaparv: Chhattisgarh CM Sai Prays for Peace and Prosperity, KunKuri Ghat to Get ₹5.17 Crore Upgrade
photo_2023-10-30_17-55-06
Cabinet Approves ₹37,952 Crore Nutrient-Based Subsidy for Rabi 2025–26; Affordable Fertilizers for Farmers
Delhi Metro DMRC
DMRC Wins ICI Award 2025 for Outstanding Prestressed Concrete Structure on Maujpur–Majlis Park Corridor
Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh Diwali
Kashi to Reverberate with Music and Dance Ahead of Dev Deepawali: Ganga Mahotsav from November 1–4
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IAS officer Talo Potom
HIV Scandal: Arunachal Pradesh IAS Officer Talo Potom Arrested Over 19-Year-Old’s Alleged Suicide – Full Case Details
MY Bharat Portal
Crore Youth Join MY Bharat Portal: How India’s Young Force Is Powering Viksit Bharat 2047
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT