By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net
In India the Civil Services Exams which is conducted by the Union Public Services (UPSC), is one of the most prestigious but one of the toughest exams to crack. A total of 27 Muslims have cleared the written and interview process of the Civil Services Exam of 2007. Two circles spoke to some of the Muslims who have cleared the civil services examination- Rashid Munir Khan, Rank-69, Tafseer Iqubal, rank-181.
While Tafseer is originally from Dhanbad and did M.A. in History. Rashid Munir Khan is from a rural background, and done his schooling from Varanasi.
When asked what inspired him to prepare for the civil services exam, Tafseer Iqubal says that apart from the power and prestige which is traditionally associated with it, it was the desire to do good for the marginalized and deprived sections of the society, which motivated him.
“Whenever I used to see the poor people, I used to feel that something needs to be done for them …”
Particularly he talks about Muslims.
“In our community there are lots of problems but we can also do something for them. I felt that all the government’s schemes and planning for the Muslims don’t really reach them, so by being an IAS officer I can make them aware about it…”
Rashid Munir Khan points out that he wanted to show to those Muslims who say that Muslims don’t get selected in Civil Services, that it is not the case, what is needed is serious efforts for it.
In the final interview of the exam Tafseer was asked that if empowered to bring about reforms in the present administrative system, what are the measures he would take .He replied that one of the main reasons for the present bad state of affairs is, the importance given to the paper work. So he wants to lessen the paper work and increase the field work and supervision by the civil servants.
When he was asked what are the measures that he would like to take for the disadvantaged Muslims, he said that he would like to work particularly in two areas, one is to make their economic condition better, and second is to increase the level of education among them. Because according to him they are usually unable to educate their children because of poverty.
So he would ensure that all the financial help the government has to offer to the minorities, the money which is usually sacrificed at the alter of corruption, goes to them. He would like to constitute some specific committees to supervise this. So that they would be able to generate their employment on the patterns of self help group.
Rashid Munir Khan talks about the things he wants to do for Muslims. He says that he wants to bring about the awareness about civil services so that more and more Muslim children prepare for it, and become Civil Servant. Because he thinks that it is the only way to end the much decried discrimination. Muslims are not even 3% in civil services he refers to such a low representation of Muslims in administration. He feels that to a certain extent Muslims themselves are responsible. So we as Muslims need to change our mindset.
The other area that he wants to work in is education. He says it that it is must for them. He feels that it is the key to the solutions for all their problems in India. It will increase the level of awareness because of which they will be able to know their rights and responsibilities.
As a message to the Muslim youths Tafseer Iqubal said ‘don’t be afraid of failure, even this was not my first chance, and I too have seen failures, what is required is hard work with dedication and perseverance’