Yahoo Finance How a bangle seller became an IAS officer ─ Ramesh Gholap’s story
There are many ‘rags to riches’ stories in the world, and each one is inspiring. Ramesh Gholap’s story, however, is not only inspiring but also a testimony to the art of manifestation.
Ramesh Gholap, nick-named as Ramu, didn’t have an easy childhood. His father, who worked at a cycle repair shop could only bring so much to the home, in order to sustain a family of four. However, that stream of income soon dried up due to his drinking problems, urging his mother to work too.
Also read: Inspiring stories of 5 UPSC rank-holders who beat all odds
Soon, she started selling bangles in the surrounding villages, joined by Ramesh, despite his polio-affected leg. Ramesh then went on to complete his primary schooling in his village, Mahagaon in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. Since there was not much scope of studying there, he moved to Barsha with his uncle to study further.
It was during his Class 12 Model exams that his father took his last breath. He did not even have the money to visit his father one last time, but his generous neighbours helped him come back to the village for his last rites.
When he returned to Barsha for his exams, he scored a good 88.5%, after which, he went on to pursue the only course that he could afford at that time – Diploma in Education.
Also read: Meet Mrs. Ratna Prabha - The Affable Chief Secretary Of Karnataka.
In the year 2009, he started making money as a teacher to support his family. However, they still couldn’t buy their own house since their BPL (Below Poverty Line) card wasn’t applicable. Discouraged by this and inspired by the power that Tehsildars have, he decided to become one. Bearing this dream in his heart, he headed to Pune for six months to pursue UPSC preparations, but with no concrete knowledge of it.
In Pune, he first met with a teacher named Mr Atul Lande and pushed by his encouragement, he appeared for the exam in 2010. He did not qualify it then. But, he did clear his SIAC – State Institute of Administrative Careers, receiving a hostel to stay at and a scholarship. Eventually, he did pass his UPSC exams with an all-India rank of 287 and later, even his MPSC exams with flying colours of 1,244 out of 1,800.
Also read: Meet Dr. Manjula Naik - The Dynamic Director - Tourism, Karnataka.
Today, Ramesh Gholap contributes with his hard work as the Joint Secretary in the Energy Department and is an example of perseverance at all times.
Text: PepperContent; Images: Facebook
———————————————————————————————————————————