"Are you some kind of Collector?" The taunt was meant to mock him. Instead, it ignited a fire. Hemant Pareek’s mother, a labourer, was supposed to receive Rs 200 for her work. But she was often handed just Rs 60 or Rs 80. When she shared her pain, her son confronted the contractors — only to be ridiculed. Until that moment, Hemant’s dream was simple: graduate and find a stable job. But that day, his purpose changed. If being a Collector meant standing up for people like his mother, then that’s exactly what he would become. With just Rs 1,400 in his pocket, he left for Delhi, determined to crack the UPSC Civil Services exam. He had no money, no guidance—just an unshakable will. Some offered him a place to stay. Others helped with coaching. He absorbed knowledge wherever he could. It wasn’t easy. Many laughed at his ambition. Some told him UPSC was for the elite—not for someone like him. Even when he approached a community leader for help, he was met with sarcasm. On 16 April 2023, the UPSC Civil Services results were declared. Out of 1,016 recommended candidates, 23-year-old Hemant secured AIR 884. He scored 912 marks—792 in the written exam and 120 in the personality test. The boy who once had no direction is now training at LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration) to become an IAS officer. "My struggles gave me a unique perspective," he shared with TNIE. The same people who once mocked him now call to congratulate him. What an inspiring turn of events! #ias #upsc #inspiringstories #motivation [IAS Stories, UPSC Exam, Inspiring, Motivational]