‘Do not let anyone doubt your potential’

The Hindu, Shankar IAS Academy, and Yadava College host UPSC Aspirants’ Meet in Madurai with valuable advice for students.

The Hindu, in association with Shankar IAS Academy and Yadava College, organised a Union Public Service Commission Aspirants’ Meet in Madurai on Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Madurai Division, Vadak Raviraj Harishchandra shared his experience with the students. He told them about how his uncle had guided him in his preparations and how he cracked the examination. Hard work was the key, he said.

Mr. Harishchandra, who comes from a rural background in Maharashtra, told the students, particularly those from rural areas, that they should not consider it a disadvantage. It was an advantage as these students had a better understanding of social issues.

He said that he studied in Marathi medium and though people had doubted his potential, he never did. “Do not let anyone doubt your potential. Only you should decide what your strengths are. Focus on your strength rather than looking at the merits of competitors,” he told the students.

“When it comes to UPSC, most of the people are aware only about IAS and IPS and some about IFS. However there are 20 other services - each giving you the opportunity to serve the public which in turn gives job satisfaction,” he said.

“Preparing for the UPSC examination gives you discipline and will help you crack any competitive exam,” he said. To a query on whether one should join a coaching academy or go to Delhi for preparation, he said that while it was not necessary to join a coaching academy or go to Delhi, but doing so helped in being in the competition and knowing how much progress was achieved. “If one wants to prepare at home, it is fine as long as you prepare honestly and take as many tests as possible to know how much you progressed,” he said.

College secretary R.V.N. Kannan, Principal in-charge C. Raju, Shankar IAS Academy Centre Head Arjun Nathan and Senior Manager S&D of The Hindu group S. Narayanan were present. At the event, books of The Hindu Publications were donated to the college library.