Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
For most middle-class families in Jharkhand, there is one common dream for their children: clearing a recruitment exam like JPSC, JSSC or another competitive examination and securing a government job.
But when allegations of paper leaks, irregularities and delays enter the picture, students who once carried books find themselves carrying placards on the streets.
This is the story of one such student.
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Shahbaz Hussain, from Ilmi village in Pakur, was once known as a bright student who topped his school. He later topped his MSc and MEd courses and became the second-highest scorer in his university.
But today, his identity has changed.
He came to Ranchi and stayed in a small lodge with the dream of becoming an officer. But when he returns to his village, instead of being called “Sahib”, people often greet him with a taunt: “Netaji”.
For Shahbaz, this is not just his personal struggle. It reflects the reality of thousands of young aspirants living in Ranchi’s small rooms, surviving on limited resources and waiting for a fair chance.
A TOPPER WHO ENDED UP ON THE STREETS
Sharing his journey, Shahbaz says his dream of becoming an officer began early.
“I was a bright student from childhood. I was a school topper and stood second in graduation. With the dream of becoming an officer, I started preparing for PCS (JPSC),” he says.
However, he claims repeated problems in the recruitment system, including allegations of paper leaks and exam cancellations, changed his journey.
After months of preparation, when news of a paper leak or cancellation emerges, Shahbaz says it feels like a part of his life has been taken away.
Today, when he participates in protests demanding transparency, he faces criticism from people around him.
“Look, Netaji has arrived,” he says, describing the comments he hears.
Even his family worries about his decision to protest and advises him to stay away. But Shahbaz says he no longer feels ashamed of raising his voice.
“If speaking the truth is leadership, then yes, I am Netaji,” he says.
THE COST OF WAITING FOR A GOVERNMENT JOB
For many aspirants living in Ranchi’s lodges, preparation comes with a financial and emotional burden.
Managing rent, food, books and daily expenses with limited family support is a constant struggle.
Shahbaz says whenever he visits his village, relatives and neighbours often ask him the same question, “How long will this preparation continue?”
Those questions, he says, are difficult to answer.
He adds that the uncertainty and stress have pushed many of his friends to give up their preparation and return home.
At times, Shahbaz admits, the pressure becomes overwhelming.
“When stress becomes too much, I feel like leaving everything and going back. But then I remember my parents’ trust and the dreams I had as a child,” he says.
A FIGHT FOR A FAIR SYSTEM
Shahbaz says he did not come to the streets to create chaos. His fight, he says, is against a system where hard work should not go waste.
He now believes that if the system cannot change from within, perhaps working towards changing it as a leader is another path.
His demand from the government is simple: recruitment exams should be conducted with complete transparency, those responsible for wrongdoing should face strict action, and deserving candidates should get timely justice.
“The agency responsible for investigation is for the government and the judicial process to decide. But students deserve an investigation they can trust, and the truth must come out,” he says.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
