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| Serving my state is my dream: Athar Aamir | |  Athar belongs to modest village of Devipora, Mattan in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. He is the youngest boy, 22, from valley to get in to the service After cracking all major professional entrance examinations in 2009-10, Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan finally joined IIT Roorkee and completed his Engineering from IIT Himachal Pradesh in July 2014. Athar had up to 2010 passed CET, AIEEE, BITSAT, almost all the entrance exams he appeared in. But IITJEE eluded the countryside boy and in 2015, he is one of 8 Kashmiris selected in the prestigious Indian Administrative Service. The results of IAS-2014 were declared Saturday afternoon. Athar speaks much more in an exclusive interview with Journalist MANSOOR PAREY
We at Scoop News team would, first, like to congratulate you on your brilliant success in IAS at the age of 22.
AASK: Thanks a lot I am blessed and honored
Q1: Congratulations Athar Aamir, you didn’t stop thinking and aiming big?
Ans: Thank you very much. Well i think in life you have to continuously strive to do better and it is a never ending process. Life is about growing and evolving into a better and a more useful person. I strongly believe that nobody should ever stop thinking or aiming big and better.
Q2 Please tell us about your schooling and family background?
Ans: My early schooling was in a school which is about one and a half miles away from my village. Later i moved to Iqbal Memorial Institute Anantnag where i studied till my 10th class after which I joined Tyndale Biscoe School. My father is a lecturer in Govt Girls Hr Sec School Anantnag and my mother is a homemaker. We reside in a village called Devipora which is about 14 km away from Anantnag town.
Q3: Can you describe the feeling once you came to know about your Selection? What has been your biggest learning?
Ans: It was kind of a mixed feeling. I was happy for clearing the exam but i wasn't satisfied with my rank. I wish I had worked a bit more harder.
Q4. How did it feel to be the first boy from your area to make it to prestigious IAS list?
Ans: It makes feel happy but I wish there were many more from my area. I hope that every year students from every nook and corner of our state clear the exam and also do much much better than us.
Q5. What are your feelings right now and how is the atmosphere in your Devipora and adjacent villages?
Ans: I am overwhelmed with the love and affection of the people there. They are happy and excited. It makes me feel much more inspired to do better in future and never let this faith and expectation go down.
Q6. Cracking CET, AIEEE, BITSAT, MBBS, IITJEE, and Now Coveted IAS at this age. Are you satisfied with what you have achieved now?
Ans: I think there is lot to achieve. Clearing exams is significant; i think exams are opportunities and not achievements. A real achievement is if you actually do something substantive in life for people and society which doesn't perhaps even require clearing any exam.
Q6. Best advice you have ever received from anyone and what?
Ans: There are many many such advices which have helped me and shaped my life. My grandfather often compares the present time with the time when he was young and frequently advices me that "Your time is time of opportunities, you have access to almost everything, the only thing you need is your own will and courage, how unfortunate would it be if you just let it all go".
Q7. When should one ideally start the Preparation? And how many hours one should devote to crack this Exam?
Ans: I think as early as possible. It is not technically difficult but it is that you have to read a lot of things which requires time. I think starting during graduation is a good idea.
Q8. Do you think an average student can crack this exam? Does the place of preparation matter? How did you cope up with the pressure of both family and friends?
Ans: Even a so called 'below average student' can crack it. With dedication and hard work there is nothing difficult. Place may matter in terms of access to books, newspapers, guidance and even ambience. I think with the use internet especially through mobiles and tablets this access gap can be overcome and preparation can be done at almost any place. My family and friends were extremely supportive. They have been very kind to me.
Q9. People in Kashmir are obsessed with medicine and engineering. Why did you opt for a different line?
Ans: I think we as students here often lack appropriate information and exposure and this keeps our imagination slightly confined. This scenerio is although changing yet we need to work a lot in this regard.I tried to explore different options. I found Civil services much more motivating given the extent of roles and responsibilities it offers. Different people might find the same in any other field.
Q10. What is the difference between self study and availing coaching from subject experts while preparing for Civil Services? Would you suggest certain books and other study material for preparation to civil services?
Ans: Self study is what you have to do whether you join a coaching institute or not. Coaching may be helpful at times but is not sine-quo-non. Yes, regularly reading newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express, the periodicals’ like Political and Economic weekly, Yojna, etc and keeping a tab on different online blogs and websites will help a lot. This is in addition to standard textbooks of different subjects which are easily available.
Q11. Is strategy really more important than hard work? Do Kashmir’s lack anything to complete is such exams at national level?
Ans: Both are equally important. Strategy makes your hardwork more productive and gives a proper shape to your studies. I think per se we don't lack anything, we just need to come out of the shell. A little guidance can help us in here.
Q12. Can You share your Interview part of the IAS with our readers? What significance does cracking such a prestigious examination hold for you and how do you look forward to your future?
Ans: It was a great learning experience. The board was very cordial and encouraging. They asked me questions on diverse subjects like economic scenario and prospects of our state, China's economy and politics, education in IITs, Art and Culture, hobbies etc. It has given me a bit more confidence that I can try still harder and do better. It is a first step and I hope I build upon it.
Q13.An important question What did you wear? Some experts say coat is must, some say tie is must and some say black shoes is must?
Ans: yes absolutely a very good question I was wearing a formal trouser, shirt, a tie and black leather shoes. I don't think wearing a coat is must.
Q14. Does computer and internet help in exam preparation?
Ans: A lot. There is almost every relevant material available online including video lectures etc. However one has to be a bit selective in choosing what is relevant and not get lost in the sea of information.
Q15. Would you like to join J&K Cadre? And Your Last message for our Readers?
Ans: It will depend on which service I get. Yes, it would always be a dream come true to serve in my home state in whichever capacity i can. I would suggest them and myself as well that "We should all open up and explore as much as we can. There is no end to learning or working hard."
Thank you Aamir for expressing your views and knowledge with us. Wishing you a bright future ahead.
(The interviewer is working Journalist in Kashmir and can be contact on [email protected]
Ph. No:- 9906509357)
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