With social media and online platforms becoming more accessible throughout the country, IAS officer Mr. Kanwal Tanuj of Bihar gives his constant support to UPSC aspirants through his motivational YouTube videos.
The 2010-batch IAS officer is the director of Bihar government’s Information and Public Relation Department (IPRD). He believes that a lot goes inside a UPSC aspirant’s mind throughout the civil services examination’s preparation, even depression and suicidal tendencies.
It was these issues which prompted Mr Tanuj to approach the digital platform, through a series of motivational YouTube videos called ‘KT Sir Career Talk’, which he has made.
Through these videos, Mr. Tanuj gives guidance –regarding what and how to prepare for the civil services examinations. He also strives to develop the viewers’ inner strength, which he feels is essential to defeat their insecurities and feeling of dissatisfaction.
Inspiration behind Mr. Tanuj’s ideas to interact online
Some years ago, while he was the District Magistrate of Aurangabad and Katihar districts, Mr Tanuj initiated “Discuss with DM”, an interactive session through which he engaged with students and discussed their problems. These sessions were attended by many students, to such an extent that Mr. Tanuj felt the need to reach them through online platforms.
Why Civil Services
In a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Tanuj while speaking about his own experiences said, “I left Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) after joining for three months and decided to be in a profession which has more impact on our society. Civil services is like an ecosystem that you give something to the society and it gives something back to you. But when I could not crack the exam in my initial attempts, I felt devastated, thinking that I’ve to start from scratch again. But I did not give up and continued with my efforts.”
In 2009, Mr. Tanuj secured AIR 284 and cleared IRS. The following year, he appeared for the civil services examinations again, secured AIR 54 and cleared IAS.
Future Plans
Mr. Tanuj has been planning to start a free academy which will focus on broader guidance to crack UPSC and CAT examinations, in addition to improve spoken English in Bihar. Also, he plans to upload more motivational videos in the coming days.
