Gopalakrishna Ronanki secured third rank in the Union Public Service Commission’s civil services 2016 examination. The 30-year-old, who has been a teacher in a primary school for the last 11 years, has finally achieved his dream of becoming an IAS officer. What makes his story more incredible is the extra-ordinary circumstances he braved to achieve this feat. Hailing from a remote village in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, Ronanki was born into a family agricultural labourer.
We have listed down the challenges Ronanki overcame to make his story truly inspiring.
Abject poverty
Since his family’s finances were in dire straits, his family did not have enough money to send him to private school. He get admitted to a government school and completed his intermediate course with maths, physics and chemistry at the Government Junior College. Ronanki revealed that there was no power at his home till he completed his intermediate. “We didn’t even have electricity at home till I completed my Intermediate.
Backward region
Roananki belongs to Parasamba village of Palasa block in Srikakulam district. This region is considered to be one of the most backward areas of the state where even basic amenities are not avaialable.
Funding his education
Finding job was his top priority as it was necessary for his survival. So just after his intemediate, Gopala did a two-year teachers’ training course at Dubacharla in west Godavari district. Subsequently he was selected as a government teacher in 2006. While being a secondary grade school teacher, he appeared for his graduation privately from Andhra University and completed his B Sc (MPC). However his dream was much higher. He wanted to become an IAS officer.
Language barrier
Since Ronanki completed his intermediate in the Telugu medium. He did not knew either Hindi and English. Ronanki chose Telugu literature as his optional in the civils (mains). Interestingly, he was also allowed by UPSC to appear for the personality test in Telugu.
Perseverance to achieve his dream
Cracking UPSC civil services is not everyone’s cup of tea. It took Ronanki four attempts to make into the prestigious club. Ronanki’s parents were not aware of their son’s dream and his efforts but after he broke the news that he would soon become a collector , they were overjoyed by their son’s achievement.
Story Source: Hindustan Times
