From serving as a police sub-inspector to clearing UPSC, Shanthappa’s tale is that of resilience and triumph. He has secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR)-644 and is most likely to become an IPS or IRS officer.
Hailing from a nondescript Hosa Genikehal village in Ballari district, his childhood and growing days were marked by adversity, having lost his father at the tender age of one. He was raised single-handedly by his mother, who toiled in farmlands to provide for her son.
Initially, not very interested in his studies, Shanthappa studied till PU because of his friends in the village.
Speaking to TOI, Shanthappa said, “I studied till PU because of my friends in the village. I had taken PCMB and failed in those four subjects. I cleared each subject in each attempt and passed with 39%.”
“I realised that education is life after failing in PU exam. The way the villagers treated me after my failure made my mind strong to achieve something,” he added.
This led him to pursue higher education and he eventually graduated in science from Veerashaiva College. Fuelled by sheer will power to achieve something in life, he decided to crack some competitive exams and enrolled in UPSC coaching in Delhi.
However, his road to success wasn’t as easy as he thought and was fraught with challenges. Despite all the hard work and relentless efforts, he faced failure in his attempts. Though, he managed to clear the SI exam, his ultimate goal of cracking UPSC remained steadfast.
So, he continued to embark on his goal even as he was posted as Sub-Inspector at Srirampura police stations before being posted at the Command Centre.
On his advice to youngsters, Shanthappa said, “I suggest they don’t waste time in cricket and politics; education alone can make our life better.”