Meet man, who once borrowed Rs 2 to attend father’s funeral, took loan from villagers to study, cracked UPSC with AIR…, now posted at…

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is indeed one of the most challenging and prestigious exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants immerse themselves in rigorous preparation, hoping to become a

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is indeed one of the most challenging and prestigious exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants immerse themselves in rigorous preparation, hoping to become an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer. While thousands of motivational UPSC success stories are going viral around the internet, few are truly special and heartwarming as they exemplify the patience, determination, perseverance, and ability of humans to overcome insurmountable challenges.

In this article, we will talk about the success story of an IAS officer who suffered from polio, couldn’t afford bus fare to attend his father’s last rites, later sold bangles with his mother, cracked UPSC to become IAS, he is….Well, the individual is IAS Ramesh Gholap, the son of a cycle-repair shop owner from a sleepy village in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, who overcame all the hardships to crack the UPSC exam and became an IAS officer, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 287.

Ramesh Gholap, a native of Mahagaon village in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, grew up in a family facing significant financial challenges. His father, Gorakh Gholap, operated a small bicycle repair shop, which served as the sole source of income for their family of four. However, their struggles deepened when Gorakh’s health deteriorated due to alcoholism, forcing the closure of the shop and leaving the family in dire circumstances.

Showing remarkable resilience, Ramesh’s mother, Vimal, took on the responsibility of supporting the family by selling bangles in nearby villages. Undeterred by the challenges posed by polio in his left leg, Ramesh joined his mother, walking the streets to sell bangles and contribute to their family’s survival.

Ramesh was an exceptional student and a standout at his school in Barsi. However, in 2005, tragedy struck when he received the devastating news of his father’s passing. Financially strained, Ramesh couldn’t afford the bus fare to attend the funeral. It was only through the generosity of his neighbors that he managed to reach his father’s last rites. This heart-wrenching experience left an indelible mark on him, solidifying his belief that education was the key to breaking free from poverty. From that day forward, Ramesh committed himself wholeheartedly to his studies, driven by an unyielding determination to build a better future for his family.

Due to his studies, Ramesh had been living with his uncle. However, in 2005, his father passed away. As per the media reports, at that time, the family didn’t even have enough money for Ramesh to pay the Rs 2 bus fare to attend the funeral. With the help of neighbors, he managed to reach the funeral. This incident deeply shook Ramesh and made him resolve that education would be the way to lift his family out of poverty.

Despite being an exceptional student, Ramesh’s financial constraints initially led him to prioritize stability over his aspirations. He earned a degree in arts from an open university and began working as a teacher in 2009 to support his family. However, a chance encounter with a tehsildar during his college years ignited a new dream within him. Deeply inspired, Ramesh decided to leave his teaching job and relocate to Pune to prepare for the UPSC exam. His journey took a pivotal turn, fueled by his mother’s unwavering support and relentless efforts to save money for his education, setting the stage for a life-changing pursuit. It is reported that Ramesh’s mother even borrowed money from the villagers to support Ramesh’s education.

Ramesh moved to Pune with a resolute focus on preparing for the UPSC exams, immersing himself in six months of intense self-study. Unfortunately, his first attempt in 2010 ended in failure. Undeterred by the setback, Ramesh’s determination only grew stronger. His relentless perseverance paid off in 2012 when he successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 287 under the handicapped quota. This achievement marked the fulfillment of his dream to become an IAS officer, a journey defined by resilience and overcoming adversity. Today, IAS Ramesh Gholap serves as the Joint Secretary in the Jharkhand Energy Department, inspiring countless others with his remarkable story.