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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coastaldigest.com news network
May 19,2020

Bengaluru, May 19: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa-led Karnataka government has recommended the withdrawal of 46 cases against leaders belonging to Sangh Parivar who had apparently involved in violence during the birth anniversary celebration of Tipu Sultan in the state. 

These cases – ranging from very serious forms of assaults on Muslims to unlawful assembly – were registered across Karnataka between 2014 and 2018.

Among the cases recommended to be withdrawn include those registered against senior state BJP leader Sanjay Patil, VHP leader Swaroop Kalkundri, and several district level Bajrang Dal activists. 

The government recommended withdrawal of these cases under Section 321 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on March 5. 

The recommendations, however, have been opposed by three crucial law enforcement departments – Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP), Director-Department of prosecution and Government litigation and Law department. 

While the DG & IGP has opined that these cases “cannot be withdrawn”, both the department of prosecution and law have observed that these are “not a fit case to withdraw”.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 31,2020

Mangaluru, May 31:  Even as the worst locust attack on India in recent years raised concerns over its impact on crops, swarms of locusts have triggered panic in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada too. 

Farmers in the coastal district were taken aback when they found the swarms of locusts, which they feared as the arrival of desert locusts in the region.

According to reports, Renjalady village under the limits of Nuji Baltila Gramp Panchayats in Kadaba taluk and Shirlalu village in Belthangady taluk witnessed locust attacks in last couple of days. 

“Locust swarms were seen in many areas. We have also alerted agriculture department. Already insects have destroyed crops of many farmers,” said a farmer in Shirlalu village.  

Joint director of Dakshina Kannada district agriculture department MC Seetha confirmed that officials have received information from villagers about the locust scare and entemologists have already visited the place to collect more information.

Not Desert Locusts?

“We contacted entemologists and forwarded the pictures that farmers sent to us. Looking at the picture, entemologists have opined that it may be calotropis locust or colour grasshopper. Desert locusts usually arrive in lakhs,” said Ms Seetha. Desert locusts that are destroying crops in other parts of India may not come to Dakshina Kannada, she added.

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News Network
April 2,2020

Bengaluru, April 2: At least three people have been arrested by police in connection with the attack on ASHA worker Krishnaveni in Bengaluru's Byatarayanapura area.

Earlier in the day, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said that an investigation was initiated into the incident in which ASHA workers were attacked.

"I have appointed Pulikeshi Nagar ACP, Tabarak Fathima, to investigate the matter. A case will be registered and action will be taken. ASHA workers will be protected by the police to carry out their functions," Rao told ANI here.

Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan visited one of the ASHA workers who was allegedly attacked by unidentified miscreants and termed the incident as "completely demoralising" for the workers.

ASHA workers, who were deployed to spread awareness about coronavirus and identify suspected cases, were allegedly attacked by a group of locals in Byatarayanapura here on Wednesday.

The workers said that the locals did not allow them to work and around 100 people gathered at the spot and harassed them.

This comes as the country is under a 21-day lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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