“It is said that if you truly want something, the whole universe conspires to bring it to you. My body was not supporting me, but at that time it felt like the whole world came together to help me. I got dengue during the exam, got bit by a dog, my mobile got stolen and then I got diarrhea as the exam approached. However, my efforts never waned and I was always looking for a ray of hope even in despair.” Narrating his struggle-filled success story, the 2018 batch IAS officer Navjivan Pawar gives a hope to everyone, motivating them to think positive even in the worst situation.

Reading the palm of Mr. Navjivan, who became an IAS at the age of 26, an astrologer had told him curtly that hat he could never become an IAS. However, he did not lose hope and did what he asked every UPSC aspirant to do, “Believe in yourself in every situation and never compare yourself with others. If you have to complete a task, do it yourself and try to make yourself better than before every day,” he said while speaking to Indian Masterminds.

THE BEGINNING

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From Journalist to Civil Servant

Mr. Navjivan Pawar’s father was a farmer and his mother a primary school teacher. He was brought up in Navi Bej, a small town in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. From childhood, Mr. Navjivan used to work in the fields and would help his father. He was always good in studies and joining the civil services was his dream. His parents were the inspiration behind his desire, as they felt that their son would one day do some work for the betterment of the society. After completing his graduation in civil engineering, he moved to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exam. In his very first attempt in June 2018, he cleared the preliminary examination and made a move forward to crack one of the toughest competitive exams in the country.

CLEARING UPSC

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Navjivan Pawar said, “About a month before the UPSC mains exam, I was diagnosed with dengue and was so ill that I was admitted to the hospital. But I continued my studies there too. In the hospital, the doctor was giving injections in one hand, while I used to hold a book in the other hand. My sister and niece who were studying in class 12th back then, used to help me in preparing notes in the hospital. In my first attempt itself, I cleared the exam while fighting the disease. When I was preparing for the interview, I thought that if a person can tell my future, then why can’t I change it myself?’’

Proving the astrologer wrong, Navjivan secured 316th rank across the country in UPSC and became an IAS officer. His optional subject in UPSC was Sociology.

TRUST IS THE KEY

Mr. Navjivan, currently working as SDM in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, says, “Before clearing UPSC, I was suffering from dengue and sometimes with diarrhea. Once a got bit by a dog and once my phone also got lost. As so many tragedies were happening with me, I went to consult an astrologer at the behest of friends. I got disappointed after listening to astrologer, however, I thought of myself in the lines of famous poet Mirza Ghalib as he said – Don’t go by the lines on the palm of hand Ghalib, Luck is bestowed even on those who don’t have hands.’’ I believed in my own hard work and I got success.

Since realizing his dream, Mr. Navjivan has joined a campaign in Maharashtra, where he and several other officers visit schools and colleges of rural areas, engage with the students and answer their queries related to civil services.