We always talk about the raw talent and commitment which Biharis have and how they have been able to make a mark from themselves in different walks of life. The real life story of Sujit Kumar Singh son of Havildar Bhagwan Singh, an instructor in BMP-5 in Patna, who has cracked the civil services this year is one such inspiring story for the youth of the state.

Hailing from Nad, a township in Rohtas, where matriculates are worshipped, Sujit (25) has, in a way, broken the family tradition. Unlike his father, who is a matriculate, mother Suryakanti Devi and sister Binu, both non-matric, Sujit not only did graduation (from Hindu College, New Delhi), but also leapfrogged into the IPS (all-India rank 132). Talking to HT, an ebullient Singh, whose son is expected to arrive in Patna from the national capital on Wednesday, said: "My son has been very different right from his childhood. He was a bookworm, who used to study for 16-18 hours a day. Even during the festival of Holi, when all children would play with colours, Sujit sat with his best companion — books."

Singh added, "Sujit was never a second divisioner. Having done his matriculation from Maner High School and intermediate from Patna College, he went to Hindu College, New Delhi, for graduation in History and Geography. Such was the stigma of Bihar that the college authorities did not believe his marks sheet. Sent back thrice for re-confirmation, it was only after the intervention of B Bhamati, the then Director, Education Department, that the principal of Hindu College agreed to take him in. Even after admission there, his classmates used to look down upon Sujit because of his being a Bihari. "But my son silenced the doubting Thomases with his results. He topped the university in all the three years." Sujit, who talked to HT on the phone from Delhi, gushed: "It's a dream come true. I feel on top of the world. My father and I had nurtured the hope that one day I would become an IPS officer. I attribute my success to my parents and uncles."

Indra writes about many such inspiring cases from Bihar and it’s indeed a matter of great pleasure and pride for all of us.The sons of soil have toiled hard to carve a niche for themselves. This just goes to show the kind of odds which our students have to face when they migrate to universities in other states. Despite the merit they face discrimination in the name of Bihar. The success story of these students are living example of how merit and diligence gets rewarded despite the social,cultural and economic impediments.