Every year when the results of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are announced, a large section of the country gets excited – somewhere hopes are shattered, somewhere dreams are fulfilled. But for the last few years, a new and dangerous trend hasss also beeneen – instead of discussing the talent and hard work of the successful candidates, their caste, religion and economic background are being examined under a microscope. And then,,, on the basis of that, the story of their struggle is fabricated, and and and glorification or controversy is created on social media.
On one hand, successful candidates want to celebrate their hard work, while on the other, society turns them into a ‘trophy’ – either in the name of caste pride in the name of the emotionalonalonal market.
When talent becomes secondary and identity becomes primary
Have we become so shallow that success now has to be viewed through the prism of caste? A student who worked day and night for years, who persisted despite failures, who sacrificed personal pleasures and did penance – his story will now be measured not by his talent but by his caste identity?
Social media platforms and news channels now first ask, “Which caste is this topper from?”
Then comes the question: “What does a father do?”
Then, if a farmer, labourer or lower-class background is added from anywhere, then the success story is made more saleable by adding the ‘spice of struggle’ to it.
New trend of ‘farmer’s son’ branding
It is a strange irony that now even those studying in AC rooms in posh areas of big cities have started calling themselves “sons of farmers”. Even if the ancestors in the family have done farming or have a small piece of land, he is declared to be the son of a farmer family.
The reality is that the farmers who are still burdened with bank loans andand whose children are still studying in dilapidated schools re not able to become a part of this ‘farmer family’ branding.
This new “sell the struggle” model is actually social-emotional engineering of a mass middle-class or upper-class segment.
The new motto of success: service or self-branding?
While civil service once meant a life dedicated to the betterment of society, its meaning now seems to be changing. Now, after becoming a topper, it has become a trend to immediately open a YouTube channel, conduct ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions on Instagram, appear in advertisements of coaching brands, write books and give motivational speeches.
There is nothing wrong in young people celebrating their success or inspiring others. But questions arise when the spirit of service is left behind and self-branding becomes the primary agenda.
New arena for caste politics: UPSC
The format of UPSC is now becoming a medium for political gain. Different political ideologies, media houses and caste organisations are competing to claim UPSC toppers as their own.
Somewhere propaganda is being done in the name of “Dalit pride”; somewhere slogans of “upper caste pride” are being coined. Some call it “OBC miracle”, while others call it “flight of farmer’s daughter”.
In fact, in all this, a simple truth gets lost – hard work is hard work; it sees no caste, no religion, and no lineage.
UPSC: The only exam that tests values
UPSC is a rare achievement of Indian democracy – where a person’s knowledge, understanding, thinking, reasoning and decision-making ability are tested, irrespective of caste, religion or class. This exam proves time and again that talent can emerge even from the farthest corners of the country.
But when society itself begins to break this achievement down into caste lines, it is a blow to the soul of democracy.
The difference between real struggle and pretence
The real struggle is the one that remains unsaid. The one who comes from a rural background but doesn’t try to sell himself. The one who doesn’t post his photoshoots and ‘story’ on social media. The one who thinks of his success as personal satisfaction, not a commercial brand.
On the other hand, the one who turns struggle into a product is the one who goes viral today. He is the one who appears in the advertisements of big coaching companies. He is the one who becomes a social media star.
Ultimately the question remains the same – why and for whom?
Is the aim of becoming a UPSC topper still the same – to reach the last person in the society, distribute justice, and bring honesty to administration?
Or has it now become an alternative ‘celebrity career’?
This reflection is necessary; otherwise, one day the civil service will also turn into a glamour industry – where branding will prevail, not value; where selfies will prevail, not service.
Conclusion: Avoid categorising success
The country needs such youth who link success to their duty and not to their selfishness. Those who go beyond caste, religion or class and present themselves as just citizens.
Those who understand that a bigger test than the UPSC exam is going to come ahead – when, sitting on an administrative post, one will have to provide unbiased service without any discrimination and without any publicity.
Only then will the democracy of this country remain strong, and only then will real talent be respected – without any barriers of caste, religion, or background.
Author can be mailed at DrSatywanWriter@outlooksaurabh.onmicrosoft.com
