When the UPSC result was announced AIR 2 Animesh Pradhan was in his office in Indian Oil. Good first instinct was to call his mother and share the exciting news, as he had done each time after clearing prelims and mains. But, he couldn’t. This time his mother was not around to share this happiness. She succumb to cancer a month ago. He cried inconsolably. “I took my time and gathered myself. I called my elder sister and then other family members”, says Mr. Pradhan.
Nevertheless, he drew strength from her memory and the blessings of both his parents as he embarked on the next chapter of his journey. His father had passed away when he was in class XI For Mr. Pradhan, success is not merely a personal triumph but a responsibility to fulfil his parents’ dreams and serve the nation with dedication and compassion. His vision for the future reflects his deep-rooted commitment to grassroots-level work in the fields of education and health, with a focus on uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the underprivileged.
In the annals of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, tale of grit, determination, and overcoming adversities often emerge, but few stories resonate as deeply as that of Animesh Pradhan, the bright young man from Angul, Odisha, who clinched AIR 2 in his first attempt despite facing immense personal challenges. His journey is not just about academic triumph; it’s a testament to the power of perseverance and the unwavering spirit to fulfill one’s dreams against all odds.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the topper shared how he dealt with his personal loss and UPSC CSE preparation.
FATHER INSTILLED THE DREAM
Hailing from humble beginnings, Mr. Pradhan’s journey to success was guided by the indomitable spirit of his parents. His father, a lecturer, and his mother, a teacher turned Coal India employee, instilled in him the values of education and service to society from an early age. It was his father who planted the seed of the civil service dream in Pradhan’s heart when he was just in ninth class. Despite the initial lack of clarity about the role of civil servants, he was drawn to the idea of making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“My father sowed this dream in me. I only knew one thing, that a civil servant can make things better. If I became one, then every day would be different. I would be able to help so many people.”
This dream kept on growing. He became aware of the exam and the working areas of a civil servant. He was moving toward his dream when tragedy struck early in his life, with the loss of his father. He was in 11th grade, but instead of letting grief consume him, he resolved to carry forward his father’s dream. His mother, a pillar of strength, stood by him through thick and thin, becoming his source of motivation and encouragement. However, life threw another curveball when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer while he was preparing for the UPSC exams.
Balancing a demanding job at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, where he served as a Workers Information System Officer, caring for his ailing mother, and preparing for the rigorous UPSC exams, he faced challenges that would have deterred many. Yet he persevered, driven by the memory of his parents’ dreams and the desire to make a positive impact on society. “Someday I would study for 5-6 hours. Someday it would be 2 hours, and someday even half an hour, because I was not emotionally capable of continuing. Yet, I would make the best use of every minute,” said Mr. Pradhan.
Mr. Pradhan’s journey to success was not without its moments of doubt and despair. There were days when grief weighed heavily on his shoulders, and studying seemed like an insurmountable task. But with resilience and determination, he soldiered on, making the most of every precious minute dedicated to his studies.
The culmination of his efforts came with the UPSC CSE 2023 results, where he secured an impressive AIR 2. However, the joy of his achievement was tinged with sorrow, as his beloved mother, his guiding light, was no longer there to share in his success.
As Mr. Pradhan sets out to make a difference in the lives of countless individuals, his story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring civil servants across the country. It is a reminder that with perseverance, resilience, and unwavering determination, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.
