Ashima
Jain celebrating with her family at her house in Karol Bagh in New Delhi on
Friday.
Adapa
Karthik of Khammam in Andhra Pradesh, who has topped the Civil Services
Examination-2007 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, is playing
down his achievement.
“I
am still thinking whether to opt for the Indian Administrative Service or
continue with my training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad. Honestly,
I am a little indifferent to the result. The civil service is such an exam where
there is not much difference between the person who has topped and the one who
has secured the 200th rank.â€
“It
is an academic achievement. My real accomplishment would be when I am able to
sustain my hard work and even 30 years later my work is recognised,†said the
28-year-old achiever, who wants to interact with students and motivate them to
work for rural development of the country.
An
MBBS graduate from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha,
Karthik is now undergoing training at the National Police Academy. He cleared
the Indian Police Service in 2004 and 2006 when he secured the 166th and 148th
rank respectively.
Delhi
girl Ashima Jain, who secured the seventh position in the qualifying
examinations, is the highest ranked among women.
Having
cleared the examination in her very first attempt, an excited and elated Ashima
was the cynosure of all eyes. Her residence at Karol Bagh was abuzz with
activity till late on Friday evening with visitors and telephone calls pouring
in.
“I
did not even know about the result till the time journalists started coming to
my home. I feel on top of the world and don’t have words to express my
feelings. My dad has planned a big party. I am very excited,†she told The
Hindu.
Giving
credit for her parents’ support, 25-year-old Ashima said: “My father is my
role model. Three things worked for me. Faith in god, family support, hard work
and dedication. I owe a lot to my family.â€
A
student of the government-aided Dayanand Model Senior Secondary School on Mandir
Marg, she has been an outstanding student throughout her academic life at Delhi
University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce and Delhi School of Economics.
“She
was a meticulous student and thorough in her work. She was a topper,†recalled
Prof. S. C. Panda, Head of the Economics Department at DSE.
A
total of 734 candidates have been recommended for appointment to the IAS, the
Indian Foreign Service, the Indian Police Service and Central Services, Group
“A†and Group “Bâ€.
Appointment
to the various services will be made according to the number of vacancies
available, subject to the final decision of courts or the Central Administrative
Tribunal on pending matters.
The
UPSC has a “facilitation counter†near the examination hall on its campus
where candidates can obtain information and clarifications.