JORABAT, Aug 21 - �No coaching is actually required. But I do not say do not take coaching. Coaching must be taken sensibly as one must be guided properly." Ira Singhal, the first differently-abled candidate to top the IAS examination of 2014 said while interacting with the students of USTM (University of science and technology Meghalaya), RIST (Regional Institute of Science and Technology) 9th mile, Ribhoi, Meghalaya, besides other educational institutions here today.
She answered many questions of aspirants and cleared their doubts about the pattern of UPSC Civil services examination. She said that topping the exam was never her dream but she wanted to get into the IAS service. Ira Singhal has selected AGMUT (Arunachal, Goa , Mizoram , Union Territories) cadre of IAS as she is interested in serving in the North-east. There were no online study materials available when she first appeared whereas now there are lots of online materials available in different websites, she said.
Asked about her constant source of motivation, she said, �Though I failed to acquire IAS in my first attempt in UPSC examination, there was no specific source of motivation for me. I kept motivating myself.�
Asked what she would like to for the physically disabled people as she too was not allowed to join the IRS (Indian Revenue Service) in 2010 on the ground of her disability of spine-related disorder � Scoliosis � which disrupts her arm movement, she said she would stop the sub categorisation of disabled candidates, adding, I would take steps for women�s safety and empowerment.
She called upon the students not to listen to others and concentrate on their own dreams and advised them to dream first and then take small steps to fulfill it.
