Celebrations have not stopped in the Khemani household ever since Chaitanya secured the top position in West Bengal in UPSC CSE 2022, and this after failing twice earlier in a row. As Chaitanya says: “This AIR-158 is the result of a long struggle.”
FAILURES DID NOT DETER HIM
A resident of Siliguri’s Khalpara, Chaitanya had appeared for UPSC CSE twice earlier, but could not clear it. However, that did not discourage him and he decided to keep trying. He said, “I got the support of my family. So I continued to try.” And, as fate would have it, he secured the first position in the state!
He did B Com from Hasnraj College, New Delhi but returned to Kolkata to prepare for the UPSC all by himself. Though, he does admit to seeking help from the state government-run Satyendra Nath Tagore Civil Services Study Centre in preparing for the personality test.
He further said that the feat he accomplished is still sinking in, but the feeling is unbelievable. The best part is, he has made his family proud, who have been in a festive mood since the day the result came.
FAMILY MATTERS
Chaitanya is being felicitated by various organizations in the neighbourhood. He aspires to be a police officer, and said, “I didn’t break down even after I didn’t succeed twice because my mother gave me courage. She was always by my side from the start.”
In fact, all the family members were with him, supporting him at every step of the way. Chaitanya’s mother, Madhu Khemani, who is always by his side now, said, “I was hoping that my son would pass. We are very happy with this success.”
NOT AN EASY ROAD
Consecutive failures made him struggle more to turn his fate around. How did he do that when many lose their morale after failing once? If anything, the back to back failures taught Chaitanya to take the bull by the horns. He analysed why he had failed the previous two times, where was the gap, and how to fill it.
At a time when most would get demotivated, Chaitanya stood up to the test. This is his strong point and the reason behind his success. He was working with a private firm, so it was not easy to find adequate time to study, especially detailed study. He could just about manage four hours of study a day. However, those devoted four hours borne him fruits.
PROUD MOMENT
Commenting on the tough exam, he said, “Competition is very high. That’s why, I will tell everyone to keep track of the current affairs closely. Other subjects should also be read very carefully.”
Swelling with pride now that her son is so well recognised, Chaitanya’s mother said,“I am very happy. It was our dream. He was already talented. And, we always told him that failure will come, but you have to turn it around.”
