B Abdul Nasar and his five siblings had stared at a bleak future when their father passes away unexpectedly. Abdul Nasar was just five years old then. Though his mother wished to educate her kids her poor financial situation was a stumbling block. This is when the desperate mother decided to send Abdul Nasar, her youngest child to an orphanage in Thalasseri.
Abdul Nasar was admitted to a school that was close to the orphanage. One day, a young IAS officer had visited the orphanage. Abdul Nasar felt a surge of inspiration after meeting the civil servant. He began dreaming about becoming a civil servant by clearing the IAS exam. Amitabh Kant, the current CEO of NITI Aayog was the young IAS officer who had visited the organisation then. However, he didn’t know that he had fired a spark in a young boy.
Abdul Nasar lived in the orphanage for twelve years. He even ran away a few times, doing small jobs at various hotels in Kannur. However, he would return to the orphanage tired of all the rebuke and the back-breaking work. He had also done odd jobs like manning a telephone booth and distributing newspapers. During these breaks, he wondered whether he should continue his studies. But, he was always motivated by his mother and siblings.
After completing his Masters in English, he began training for the PSC exams. Abdul Nasar soon got appointed as a junior health inspector. He then applied for the post of deputy collector and worked hard to crack the exam. Even though he had zero hopes about clearing the exam, Abdul Nasar was delighted to know that he had actually cracked it. He entered the service in 2006 as a deputy collector. In 2017, he was elevated to the IAS rank. However, by that time, his mother was no more to see her son’s greatest achievement.
Abdul Nasar who is the director of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA had also served as the district collector of Kollam. People often think that only those who have comfortable living conditions can pursue higher studies and achieve their dreams. It is true that things won’t be easier for those who have suffered hardships or grown up in orphanages. However, people like Abdul Nasar have proved that one could achieve anything if one has the will and determination to work hard.
Years ago, Abdul Nasar managed to kindle his spirits after a chance meeting with an IAS officer. Life stories like Abdul Nasar’s prove that one should grab every opportunity that comes their way as some of them could be the turning points in our life. The harsh and unpleasant experiences often become the fuel to motivate and inspire us. For that, you should make yourself mentally strong; or else even a small blow could shatter you. The inspiring life of Abdul Nasar shows that no one else, but yourself, could be your saviour and greatest motivator.