Mangaluru: In a powerful story of grit, aspiration, and resilience, Muhammad Shaukat Azeem from Jarigudda in Kasaba village, Karkala, has secured the 345th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. The only son of truck driver Sheikh Abdullah and beedi worker Maimuna, Azeem’s achievement stands as a testimony to the power of dreams, hard work, and family support, reported the Varta Bharati.
Azeem recalled a defining childhood memory when his mother, inspired by a movie in which Puneeth Rajkumar played an IAS officer, asked him if he would become one too. “At that time, I didn’t even know what IAS meant, but that moment stuck with me forever,” he said in a conversation with Vartha Bharati.
Despite financial hardships and living in a rented home, Azeem’s parents ensured he never felt deprived. “My father gave me money with a smile even when he had none, and my mother never let me give up,” he said, visibly emotional.
A multilingual talent proficient in Beary, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and English, Azeem studied in an Urdu-medium primary school before pursuing Electronics and Communication Engineering. He scored 92% in SSLC and 74% in PUC, and credits his success to perseverance, his mother’s motivating words, and the support of Karkala-based businessman K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed, who stepped in during crucial times to fund his education.
Azeem began his UPSC journey with his first success in 2022, earning a place in the Indian Defence Audit Service and serving in Pune. Not stopping there, he continued his preparations while working, and enrolled at the prestigious Hundred Study Circle in Delhi. His consistent efforts have now placed him closer to his dream of becoming an IAS officer.
“This rank is not just mine; it belongs to my parents, my mentor, and everyone who believed in me. I aim to serve the country with honesty and dedication,” he said.
From the narrow lanes of Karkala to the national stage, Azeem’s inspiring journey reminds us that no dream is too big when backed by commitment and support.
