How A Broke Cycle Mechanic Worked His Way To Become An IAS Officer! Story Of IAS Varun Baranwal

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How A Broke Cycle Mechanic Worked His Way To Become An IAS Officer! Story Of IAS Varun Baranwal

“Focus on what you can control, rather than worrying about what is not under your control.”

This is what IAS Varun Baranwal believed in as he sailed through the ups and downs of life during his journey of becoming an IAS officer. Here is an inspirational story of this officer who refused to get bogged down by all the obstacles and made his dream come true.

Choosing between studies and subsistence

For Varun Baranwal, life was not a bed of roses. His father, who ran a cycle repair shop in Boisar near Thane in Maharashtra, died due to a prolonged illness, just three days after his class 10 examination. Being the eldest son of the family, the responsibility to run the family repair shop fell on Varun’s shoulders. Realizing his duty towards his family, Varun started managing the shop, repairing cycles to make both ends meet.

However, when his class 10 exam results were announced, Varun emerged as the topper. This re-ignited his spark to study further but seeing his family conditions, he found himself in a real predicament. But as they say, a mother knows it all. Realizing his dilemma, Varun’s mother decided to run the shop and asked him to continue his studies. And thus began his journey towards cracking the most prestigious exam in India.

God helps those who help themselves!

Deciding to go ahead with his studies was just the beginning of a tough ride. The next step in the journey was to arrange finances for the admission fee. Even though he made it to the cut-off list in a private school, the dearth of money kept him from taking admission. Just when he was about to drop the plan, his father’s doctor, offered to pay the admission charges. This eased Varun’s burden to some extent. For paying his school fee, Varun worked extra hard and this is what his day looked like during his school days:

Woke up at 6 A.M. and attended school till 1 P.M.
Took tuitions till 8 P.M after school.
Worked at his cycle shop from 8 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Studied for his classes at school from 10 P.M. to 12. AM.

Varun’s hard work compelled fate to work in his favor. When Varun failed to get a fee relief despite being the topper at school, his teachers pooled money for paying his fee. As Varun joined an engineering college after finishing school, he was fortunate to get help from someone or the other whenever he faced a financial constraint. This helped him pass his college years with flying colors and by the end of the 4th year of engineering, Varun got a job at an MNC. Life seemed financially sorted for Varun. But he was not ready for it! It was time to take a risk.

Take the risk or lose the chance

Taking inspiration and guidance from people around him, Varun Baranwal finally decided to appear for the prestigious IAS examination. The decision was not easy especially when his job, which would give him financial stability, was at stake. His mother completely disagreed with his idea, but he still took the plunge.

Since he didn’t have money to take coaching, he went to the owner of a reputed coaching institute with all his certificates and promised to crack the exam on the very first attempt if he is allowed to study at the center free of cost. The owner agreed and the rest is history. Varun Baranwal not only cracked the toughest exam in India but also managed to grab the 32nd position amongst lakhs of candidates who appear for the test.

Varun Baranwal’s story of resilience is an inspiration for thousands of people who dream of making big in life. His life teaches us to keep burning the midnight oil till success knocks at our door. For all the youngsters aiming big in life, IAS Varun Baranwal has just one piece of advice- ‘stop procrastinating, start working and the rest will follow.’