The Hindu : National : An achiever speaks on being successful

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 19, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

An achiever speaks on being successful

Staff Reporter

An alumna of J. J. College of Engineering, R. Nishanthini secured 180th rank in UPSC exam

— Photo: M. Moorthy.

sECRETS OF SUCCESS: R. Nishanthini interacting with aspirants at Study Circle of Employment Exchange in Tiruchi on Saturday.

TIRUCHI: Passing out with an engineering degree, R. Nishanthini was determined to avoid oft-beaten path that her friends had chosen.

It was difficult initially for the girl from the rural Mannachanallur to slog for gruelling 10-hours study routine without any immediate payoffs, when her friends were earning lucratively.

But now, with city paparazzi swarming her for securing 180th rank of Union Public Service Commission, she cherishes all the moments of labour.

After three unsuccessful attempts, Ms. Nishanthini was saddled with domestic responsibilities so much so that she found her hopes whither.

But diligence kept her going as she paced up her preparations for India’s toughest examination.

While metropolises are the nerve centres of UPSC preparation, she relied on the Study Circle of Employment Exchange, Tiruchi, to chase her dream.

“I had people who have cleared the examinations from this centre to help me out. But I turned quite nervous at the interview, talking to people from metro-background,” says the student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Mannachanallur.

Geography

With Geography being her favourite right from schooldays, choosing her first option wasn’t very difficulty. The other option was all-time popular Public Administration.

“I didn’t know much about it until I chose. But it interested me so much that I began to read the paper for the sake of the subject.”

Clearing mains was on the expected lines for Ms. Nishanthini but getting ready for personal interview made her edgy.

Study circle’s mock interview series pitched in a good amount of help. She reran the videos of her interviews with IAS officials, which were recorded.

“Body language was so crucial for the interview. Only when you are actually comfortable, you could think straight.”

Despite slipping off a few technical questions on engineering, Ms. Nishanthini, an alumna of J. J. College of Engineering near Tiruchi, managed to put across the known answers convincingly.

Having slogged almost round-the-clock for four years, Ms. Nishanthini now feels she has all the time in the world and decided to guide the new set of aspirants joined at the study circle.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National