Mangalore: In a story of perseverance and determination, Muhammad Shaukat Azeem, the son of a truck driver from Jarigudda in Kasaba village near Karkala, has secured the 345th rank in the prestigious Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) this year.

Azeem’s success is not just personal—it is the realization of a long-cherished dream nurtured by his family, especially his mother. “I was a small boy when a Puneeth Rajkumar film was playing on television. In it, he played an IAS officer. My mother looked at me and asked, ‘Will you also become an IAS officer when you grow up?’ I didn’t even know what that meant back then, but I wanted to fulfill her wish,” Azeem recalled, speaking to Vartha Bharati after the results were announced.

The only son of Sheikh Abdullah, a truck driver, and Maimuna, a beedi worker, Azeem has faced many hurdles on his path to success. The family lives in a rented house, and despite efforts, they have been unable to build their own home. “My parents never let me feel the burden of our struggles. My father always gave me money for my needs with a smile, even when it was difficult. My mother constantly motivated me,” he said with gratitude.

A multilingual achiever fluent in Beary, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and English, Azeem completed his primary education at a local Urdu school before moving on to high school, PUC, and later a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering.

He credits his modest academic beginnings and family struggles as the foundation for his determination. After scoring 92% in SSLC and 74% in PUC, Azeem said his mother’s words continued to push him toward his goal. During financially tough times, help came in the form of Karkala-based businessman K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed, who supported Azeem’s educational journey. “He ensured I did not stop my education for lack of funds. His support was a turning point,” Azeem said.

To prepare for the UPSC exam, Azeem joined the reputed Hundred Study Circle in Delhi, where he also worked alongside his training. His first success came in the 2022 UPSC exams, when he was selected for the Indian Defence Audit Service and posted in Pune. Not content with that, he continued his preparation and has now achieved an even higher rank in the 2024 results, increasing the likelihood of an IAS posting.

“I may have studied hard, but this achievement belongs to my parents and everyone who stood by me. I only hope to serve the country with honesty and dedication,” Azeem said, expressing happiness over fulfilling his mother’s dream.

With his inspiring journey from a humble background to the doorstep of the Indian Administrative Service, Muhammad Shaukat Azeem stands as a shining example of how dreams, when combined with dedication and the right support, can come true.

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New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was looking forward to his upcoming visit to Israel.

The prime minister said this on X in response to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comment that Modi will visit Israel on Wednesday.

"Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu. I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations. India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress.

"Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visit," he said.

In a post on X on Sunday morning, Netanyahu spoke about the historic visit of "my dear friend", Prime Minister Modi, to Israel on Wednesday.

ŽHe said the bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance between two global leaders.

"We are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision. Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress," he said.

Netanyahu said that from artificial intelligence to regional cooperation, the partnership between India and Israel continues to reach new heights.

"Looking forward to seeing you in Jerusalem, PM Modi!" he said.