motivational

Sitapur boy tops civil services in UP
Sitapur boy Avi Prasad is UP topper in the prestigious Civil Services examinations-2013 by securing an All India Rank, 13. An IPS officer, Avi is currently undergoing training at National Police Academy, Hyderabad. "I will now shift to IAS,'' Avi told TOI over phone from Hyderabad.

Having done his schooling from Sitapur, Avi graduated in international business and finance from Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi. Later, he pursued post graduation in management and business law from NLU, Jodhpur. Avi has one and half year of working experience at the Reserve Bank of India. "I had absolutely no inclination towards civil services. While I was working in RBI, I realised our system just doesn't deliver. Interacting with people, I found its people who are running the system makes a difference. I chose civil services to work for a citizen-centric system,'' said Avi.

Son of a business man, Avi's mother is a home-maker. His sister is preparing for judicial services. It was Avi's second attempt. The first time, he secured an AIR of 171. On how difficult it was to quit a plum government job, Avi said "In RBI, it would take another 15-20 years to achieve something. In civil services, one begins early age. Responsibilities comes early and one has full control on his work place and environment. The charm to deliver pulled me towards IAS.''
Lucknow's civil services topper made it in second bid
In 29 years, Thursday was the one of the busiest and most exciting days of Prem Ranjan Singh. His cell phone kept ringing every minute and all he said was 'thank you'. It was not his birthday, but an unforgettable day as he secured 62nd all India rank in the civil services examinations. Ecstatic, Lucknow-based Singh, who was currently undergoing training at National Police Academy, Hyderabad, said: "it's a moment worth living for. After four years, my dream has come true.''

This was his second attempt for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). While in first he couldn't clear the interview, in the second and third round, he got selected in police services. A mechanical engineer from MNIT, Allahabad, Singh worked for four years in Ashok Leylands, Chennai. "I wanted to do MBA but took the civil services route to serve my country,'' said he.

On why IAS, he said "being an administrator puts one in diversified roles. There are different domains where one can work. One gets experience working in different departments and can also specialise in a particular one. IPS was restricted to police.''