Suraj Devgan, a 21-year-old from Ludhian’s Haibowal Kalan, travels all the way to Ahmedgarh during the weekend to receive free UPSC coaching. His inspiration and mentor is none other than Ahmedgarh Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajan Sharma, who conducts these classes for UPSC applicants.
Mr. Sharma had cleared Punjab Police Service (PPS) exam in 2015 on the first attempt and appeared for UPSC thrice, making it to the interview once. Indian Masterminds spoke with him regarding his noble initiative.
PRAJANASTHAL – WISDOM TO IMPART
The police department’s initiative, ‘Prajanasthal – Wisdom to impart,’ aims to support young people in achieving their life goals, particularly those who wish to perform well in competitive exams. Free coaching sessions are available both offline and online for those interested in a career in the civil service.
“I received the idea to do something like this, last year. I was mostly posted in rural areas and witnessed the lack of awareness related to civil services. They knew what an IAS or IPS is but were clueless about how to become one. I decided to guide them in this direction and came up with Prajanasthal,” Mr. Sharma told Indian Masterminds.
BEING A GUIDING LIGHT
The officer initiated the project in September 2022 and began posting online sessions on YouTube, so it could reach greater number of people who needed any kind of guidance related to UPSC CSE preparation. He also started taking offline classes at SRM Convent School in Ahmedgarh, every weekend.
“The main purpose of my initiative is not to teach but to guide people and help them with self-study. Everybody has internet these days and I want them to utilize it to its maximum capacity. ‘Prajana’ is a Buddhist word meaning ‘Wisdom’. The candidates need to understand things more than learning, and that’s why I came up with it,” he shared.
WORD-OF-MOUTH PUBLICITY
The officer enrolled around 60 students in his first batch, out of which 45 students are regular in his class. Students range in academic background from Class X to postgraduate level. Some candidates are working professionals from both the public and private sectors. The seminars are scheduled for the weekends and last, on average, for three hours.
“Many people in tier B and C cities lack the resources and exposure that residents in metropolitan cities enjoy. As a result, applicants who are unable to attend the class can opt for online classes available on our YouTube channel,” he told Indian Masterminds.
The officer spread the word about his initiative through banners and word of mouth. He shared his thought with the sarpanch of the villages who spread the word like wildfire.
IMPORTANT TIPS
The officer imparts all necessary tips to his students during his sessions. To help them study better, he advises them to only stick to NCERT books, and not get lost in other guidebooks as that will only waste their time and energy without providing them with proper results.
Mr. Sharma can relate to the underprivileged village children and understand the reasons that prove to be hurdles for them as he himself faced financial and social problems while growing up.
“With the advancement in the education system, everything is at our fingertips nowadays. But still, the role of teachers, guides, and mentors can never be ruled out nor underestimated.”
BALANCING TIME
The passion to go the extra mile while being posted as a DSP is what keeps him going amidst his hectic schedules.
He said, “Balancing the routine is important for me. I wake up early on weekdays to prepare notes, PPTs and lectures for weekends. Besides a constant push, giving aspirants a positive atmosphere is really important for me.”
