Kerala: Srinath was popular as coolie number 343 at Ernakulam railway station. Srinath’s daily routine revolved around carrying traveller’s baggage at the station. His daily earning used to be around Rs 300 to 400. Most people become dispirited with this laborious job as the mundaneness of it prevents them from progressing further. 

However, Srinath achieved something that no one had anticipated. While doing his daily job, coolie number 343, prepared for the UPSC exams and became an IAS officer. His journey to success is truly marvellous and reaffirms the fact that nothing is impossible for a person who dares to dream. 

Who is Srinath?

Srinath was born in 1991 in a poor family in Munnar, Kerala. His father used to work as a labourer. Srinath completed his schooling from a local school of Munnar. When Srinath grew old enough to earn a living, the entire responsibility of running the household fell on his shoulders. 

At the age of 22, he started working as a porter (coolie) at Ernakulam Railway Station. He was referred to as number 343. As a porter, he could make Rs 300-400 in a day, and that was insufficient to run a family of five. Due to the lack of money, he was not able to provide his daughter with good education. 

Attending online lectures

In the year 2016, the government announced the installation of internet hotspots at Mumbai Railway Station. This was the turning point in Srinath’s life. He saved up some money and bought a smartphone for himself with an aspiration to appear for the civil services exam. His financial conditions were such that he had no money to buy books for himself and enrol in coaching centres. 

Srinath worked in two shifts at the railway station and watched video lessons on his mobile phone during his free time. It is hard to imagine, how some students devote hours and hours of their day to their studies with complete concentration, whereas on the other hand, Srinath would just sit in a corner of the noisy railway station with just his mobile phone in his hand.  

Becoming an inspiration

Srinath proves it that a student does not require a hundred different resources to gain education from. Only dedication and commitment are needed for achieving the unimaginable. The students who fear failure must seek inspiration from Srinath’s story. 

Initially, he appeared for the KPSC exams and got appointment in the government office. However, he had dreamed of something bigger and was determined to fulfil his dreams. He started with his UPSC preparation and faced disappointment the first three times. Any ordinary person would feel disheartened with their failures and would succumb to their fate. But Srinath has no ordinary will; his years of struggle have made him invincible. 

Finally, in the year 2018, he qualified for the UPSC exam by successfully clearing all the rounds and became an IAS officer.