As the story of 12th fail IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma has currently reached every Indian household, the story of yet another 12th Fail IAS officer from Assam has emerged.
IAS officer Narayan Konwar, also a 12th fail, who was once passionate about joining insurgent group ULFA is currently a secretary level officer in Assam Secretariat.
Born in a remote village in Assam’s Morigaon district, Konwar was brought up in poverty and struggle for a living. He hailed from such a family for whom earning food for the day was a challenge. Konwar’s father was a teacher of a venture school and his earning was not sufficient, thereby it was hard for him to continue his studies in such an environment. He also lost his father at a very early age, following which he and his mother found it very difficult to survive.
After his father’s demise, Konwar’s mother started working as daily wage worker, and also started selling vegetables and other things. Narayan also tried his best to assist his mother in this process., while somehow managing time to continue his studies. However, despite all his efforts to study hard, he could not succeed in his 12th final examinations. Poverty was the main barrier between him and his studies.
Remembering his childhood days Konwar said, “Our economic condition was very pathetic, we did not have enough money to satisfy our hunger. After my father’s death our family condition worsened and my mother struggled a lot to raise me. Until I joined ADP College in Nagaon, my mother had to sell vegetable on the footpath.”
Since his childhood Narayan was filled with a lot of grit and determination. He did not bow down in front of his impoverished conditions, rather he decided to continue his earning and learning. He started selling food items like papad fry, chana(gram) fry etc. on the road side and helped his family economically. At the same time, he devoted more time to his studies. Finally, he succeeded in the final examinations in 12th standard. However, in between this he was very much passionate to join the insurgent group ULFA.
Citing his past, Konwar said, “ The place from where I belong, was one of the bases of ULFA. Every day we used to see ULFA members with arms and I too thought of joining the group. Actually one of my classmate had also joined the ULFA.”
Konwar, later graduated from a local college with second class. He then, got his post graduate degree from Gauhati University with a first class.
After his post-graduation, he joined ADP College Nagaon as lecturer. It was then, when he thought of appearing for the civil service exams. He started preparation for UPSC but could not succeed in his first attempt. In 2010 Narayan Konwar cleared UPSC with 119 rank.
Despite several similarities, the story of IAS Narayan Konwar and IPS Manoj Kumar Sarma also has many differences. Both grew up in extreme poverty but their social conditions were very different. However despite the differences both who flunked in their high school examinations made it to the top with their immense dedication and determination towards their goal. Both the officers serve as great figures of inspiration for today’s youth.
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