This is the story of a young boy from Bihar, who became an IPS officer at the age of 21. He was still not satisfied, as his dream was to become an IAS officer. So, while training for the IPS, he kept on preparing himself to crack UPSC again, this time with a better rank. And he did!
When UPSC 2020 results were out, IPS Laxman Tiwari had secured AIR 71 and was all set to enter IAS. The proverb, ‘When there is a will, there is a way’ came true for Tiwari as he finally made realise his dream. He revealed how he did it in a candid interview to Indian Masterminds.
HAPPY AND SAD AT THE SAME TIME
Tiwari felt a mixed range of emotions on getting to know that he has secured AIR 71 this time. The thought that he would get a place in IAS now, no doubt, made him happy. But, at the same time, there was a tinge of sadness at the thought of all the things he had to lose on his way up. The journey to IAS has not been smooth sailing for him. He had to face many ups and downs on the way. “It’s a bag full of both happiness and sadness,” he said.
FIRST CIVIL SERVANT IN THE FAMILY
Tiwari is a resident of Saidpura village, Siwan, Bihar. He completed his school education from a local vernacular medium government school and did his BA in Political Science from Delhi University. Being exceptionally good in studies, he could crack UPSC and become IPS at the young age of 21. However, even after getting into service, his quest for learning did not end. Even now, he is pursuing his MA in Political Science from IGNOU.
His father Suresh Tiwari is a businessman and mother Sabita Devi is a homemaker. He is the first in the entire family to get into civil services. Not a mean achievement by any standard, as he hails from an interior region of Bihar with little exposure to higher studies and career choices.
POLITICAL SCIENCE AS OPTIONAL SUBJECT
Tiwari informed Indian Masterminds that he had chosen Political Science and International Relations as his optional subject. It was based on convenience, as he had studied these subjects for his graduation.
NET HELPED HIM MORE THAN COACHING
“I had taken coaching for a very short time, but soon discontinued it, as it wasn’t of much help. After that, I sourced other resources and previous years question papers from the net,” he said.
THE INTERVIEW
About the type of questions that he faced in the interview round, Tiwari revealed that they mostly centred around policing, since he was already in IPS, and, also, International Relations, his optional subject. There were a few questions on his native place, as well.
PUBLIC SERVICE TOP PRIORITY NOW
His main goal as an officer is to offer public service. He also wants to improve the education system in government schools. The thought that, as an IAS officer, he will now be able to work on improving government schools and public service, makes him happy.
IF OTHERS CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU
Laxman Tiwari’s message for the youth is: Always be confident about your abilities. Do not ever entertain negative thoughts. Even if a thought crosses your mind that you are not capable of doing something, dispel it immediately. Instead, start thinking that if everyone else can do it, so can you!
