This Muslim UPSC rank holder had to use Hindu surname to get accommodation

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 11, 2016

A young UPSC rank holder has finally broken his silence to expose the communalism, racism and ignorance prevailing in the society. Ansar Ahamad Shaikh, the son of an auto-rickshaw driver from a remote village in Jalna district of Maharashtra has managed to crack the tough UPSC exam in his first attempt, securing an All-India Rank 361.

sheikh

The 21-year-old Bachelor of Arts, political science graduate from Pune's Fergusson College said he came to the city to pursue his degree in Arts and focus on his UPSC preparations.

Forced to change his name to a Hindu surname in order to get accommodation and food in the city without facing any discrimination, Shaikh said he will proudly say his real name now.

“I remember when I went to look for a PG accommodation, my friends who were Hindus got rooms but I was refused. So the next time, I said that my name was Shubham, which was actually my friend's name. Now I don't have to hide my real name,” said Shaikh.

His eyes swell with tears when he remembers the difficult circumstances he faced in his life. “My father has three wives, my mom is the second. In my family, education wasn't so important. My younger brother dropped out of school and my two sisters were married off at an early age and didn't study much. When I called home and told them that I cracked UPSC and in all likelihood will be an IAS officer, they were shell shocked,” said Shaikh, adding after a small celebration with friends, he is headed home for bigger a celebration.

Asked about his preparations, Shaikh said there is no shortcut to success. A topper all throughout school and college except Std X where his scores dipped a bit, he said he prepared for 10-12 hours at a stretch for 3 years without a break. “I think I would tell students to question themselves, Why do they want to be in the system? Once they have answered this question, the path will get clear,” he said. Having faced religious discrimination, all his life, Shaikh said that promoting Hindu-Muslim unity and bridging disparity is one area that he would like to work on.

Meanwhile at Unique Academy where Shaikh studied, celebrations were on in full swing as 45 candidates emerged victorious. Shaikh's teacher, Rahul Tukaram Pandve (30) also cracked the UPSC, securing All India Rank 200. Pandve who stood seventh in the state worked as a teacher at the academy. A MBA degree holder from IIM Calcutta, Pandve gave up his corporate job for civil services preparations. 

Comments

K.C.Mohammed Ali
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Congratulations............... Inspiration to the community.

S.M. Nawaz Kuk…
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

any way you reached your goal. congratulations.!

Mumtaz hussain
 - 
Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Congrats to sheikh, his parents, school n college n his teacher Rahul tukaram pandve

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News Network
June 29,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 29: A hospital set up in 1848 in the Port City has to remain closed till July 5 as majority of the Doctors and Staff at Lady Goschen Government Hospital are quarantined after coming in contact with a COVID-19 infected person.

Hospital Medical Superintendent said that both in-patient and out-patient wings of the hospital will remain closed till July 5 as there is a need to fumigate and sanitise all the departments of the hospital. Patients for treatment under 'Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka' scheme will be sent to private medical colleges with the referral card from the hospital. The hospital will start functioning normally from July 6.

The Lady Goschen Government Hospital, earlier known as the maternity Hospital, is the oldest hospital in the district and dates back to 1848.

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News Network
June 5,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 5: With the easing of COVID-19 lockdown norms under unlock 1.0, the Karnataka government on Thursday permitted state transport buses to operate even during the night curfew hours 9 pm to5 am.

Autos, taxis and cabs have also been given permission to operate during these hours for picking commuting passengers from pickup points or bus stands.

Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar in an order said, state transport corporations (BMTC, KSRTC, NEKRTC and NWKRTC) buses have been allowed to operate during night curfew hours from 9 pm to 5 am.

On the basis of their bus tickets, passengers would be allowed to commute to bus stand or from there to home, in accordance with the COVID-19 control measures, SOPs and other guidelines, it said.

Further, during the curfew hours autos, taxis and cabs have been given permission to pick commuters from pickup points or bus stands, it added.

Earlier, the government had revised the night curfew time from the previous 7 pm-7 am to 9 pm-5 am, and said the movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 9 pm and 5 am throughout the state, except for essential activities.

The government has also said that jungle lodges and resorts, also private organisations providing similar facilities, along with activities they provide like safari, trekking among others would be permitted from June 8, in compliance with the guidelines and SOP issued and following the social distancing norms.  

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News Network
March 25,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 25: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that strict action will be taken against overpricing and hoarding of essential items during lockdown period in the state.
Speaking to media persons here, he said: "Today 14 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported taking the total number of cases to 105 (excluding four discharged) in the state."
"Out of this, six are from Kasaragod district, two from Kozhikode, eight have returned from Dubai, one each from Qatar and UK; and three have got infected from a mutual contact. One health worker is also suspected to be on the list," he said.
A total of 72,460 people are under observation in the state out of which 71,994 are in isolation in their homes and 466 in hospitals. Today 164 people were hospitalised. 4,516 samples were sent for testing out of which 3,331 have tested negative.
Chief Minister Vijayan said that people should take the lockdown seriously and strictly adhere to government instructions.
"All personal vehicles should strictly be off the road. Taxis and autos can only be used for emergency purposes. People using personal vehicles should give self-declaration giving details about the purpose of the journey. Police action will be taken against those giving false information or found misusing personal vehicles," he said.
The Chief Minister today interacted with the MLAs from Kasargod through audio conferencing and asked them to co-ordinate the activities there along with the Panchayat president.
"Special attention should be given to the elderly, homeless, specially-abled in the state and local self-government institutions should take effort to arrange food and shelter for the needy. Apart from medicines, those in isolation would also be given counselling if required," he said.
He also urged the youth to come forward in volunteering during this difficult time. They can volunteer as bystanders in hospitals and help in other places too.
The Chief Minister also informed that the testing facilities at Central Universities in Kerala, IISER in Trivandrum and MIMS, Kozhikode can be used.
"All MLAs are working in their respective constituencies and they should make the effort to identify places that can be used as regional isolation centres, as and when required," said Vijayan.

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