Chhatabad Village (Dhanbad District), JHARKHAND :

Everything cannot always be in your hands. But working hard to achieve something is definitely in your hands. Rena Jameel also had to work hard, and today she has become an IAS because of her hard work. 

Born in Chhatabad village of Katras area of ​​Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, Rena Jamil has secured 380th rank in the UPSC Civil Service Examination this time. Whereas in the year 2016 examination, she had secured 882 rank.

Rena Jameel says that she got Indian Information Service in 2016. But she had dreams of becoming an IAS. It was also necessary to join training. That is why she gave UPSC again in 2017 along with training, but failed in the prelims itself. Still, I did not give up. I took a few days off and prepared. And as a result, I got 380 rank and now I have become an IAS.

Rena Jamil, UPSC Rank -380

Rena Jameel’s father Mohammad Jameel Ansari has retired from Tata Company. He was a mechanical engineer in Tata. While mother Naseem Ara is a home maker. She has four siblings. Elder brother Raunak Jameel Ansari is in Indian Revenue Service. He had secured 763 rank in 2014. Younger brother is an engineer and is currently working with Prasar Bharati. While younger sister is doing her masters and is preparing for admission in PhD. 

Rena studied in Urdu medium from Chhatabad Urdu Middle School till class 8. Then she completed her 10th and 12th from the same school. After that she did BSc in Zoology from S.S.L.N.T. Mahila Mahavidyalaya and M.Sc from P.K. Roy Memorial College. After this she also did B.Ed.  

Rena says, Ammi was always motivating for me. She never made me do household chores, rather she always insisted on studying. However, all this was not so easy for me. Just to study in college, I had to travel about 50 kilometers every day. Sometimes by bus, sometimes by auto or sometimes by walking for hours… I would leave in the morning and reach home only at night.

When asked that now you are an IAS, what will be your first task in the district you go to after training, Rena says that every district has its own problems. But my special focus will be on education and health sector. Because my experience with both these sectors has been very bad. I would not want that in my district someone loses his life due to health service and someone’s daughter’s education gets interrupted just because the college is very far away.  

Rena Jameel loves Urdu poetry. She has been reading Faiz, Ghalib and Iqbal in particular. The special thing is that Rena herself has written about 50 poems so far. All these poems are in Urdu language. 

What was the reason that made you decide that I have to join the civil service? 

In response to this question, Rena says that, generally, there is not much focus on the education of girls in our society. Even if the family is educating them, the only purpose is that they will get married in a good family. I also had many friends who were very sharp in studies, but somewhere they could not study further. Could not go ahead. Due to family pressure or other reasons. Many were not sent to college only because the distance to the college was too much, but in my case my family was a little supportive. In such a situation, I started thinking that I have to do something that becomes an example for others. Such people should listen to me who educate their girls only for marriages or do not educate them at all. Then I decided that I have to do something big so that I can become an inspiration for girls.  

How and where did you prepare for the exam? 

On this, Rena Jameel says that in 2014, my elder brother succeeded in this exam. I came to Jamia on his guidance. Before this, I had read NCERT thoroughly. I also used to read newspapers regularly. I took Zoology for this exam because I had done BSc and MSc in this subject. 

In a long conversation, Rena tells about her struggles that there were many ups and downs in my life journey. I could not succeed even after reaching the mains twice. I succeeded the third time but did not get what I wanted. Despite this, I had confidence in myself and kept working towards my goal. Today I am successful because of this. Although I was happy with this service too, but it was not my aim or goal. That is why I kept preparing along with the service. I only wanted to become an IAS and I became one.

What message would you like to give to those preparing for UPSC? 

On this question, Rena says that many things are not in your hands. Only hard work is in your hands. And yes! The fruit of hard work is always sweet. I also faced many problems. I also failed. All things kept happening with me. But I kept working hard continuously. I will tell you the same thing that always think about fulfilling your dreams. If I had not done this, then I would definitely not have been an IAS. I would have been doing the service of 2016. Therefore, patience is very important for success in this exam. 

Also I would like to say that you must read newspapers because it is important to read people’s thoughts, it helps you to develop your own thoughts. And yes! You should always keep your resources limited. If you keep yourself busy reading everything then you will never be able to complete your syllabus. Whatever you read, read it with all your heart and give it enough time. 

What would you like to say to the youth of the country, especially the girls of your community? 

On this, Rena says that education is everything today. So pay attention to education at all costs. Never shy away from working hard. If I can do it, then believe me anyone can do it. But for this you will have to come forward and work hard.  

She especially tells girls that you need to come forward and work hard. It is also the responsibility of the society to stop looking at girls with narrow mindedness. Rather, they should be encouraged. Girls have a lot of talent. If we just become a little open minded, they will go far ahead. It is also the responsibility of girls to work hard and fulfill their dreams… and yes, the dreams should be a little big. 

source: http://www.beyondheadlines.in / Beyond Headlines / Home> India> Real Heroes / by Afroz Alam Sahil, Beyond Headlines / June 19th, 2019