‘Are You Some Kind of Collector?’ How a Taunt Sparked This Officer’s Civil Services Dream

Raised in a modest household in rural Sirsa, Haryana, Hemant Pareek witnessed the relentless toil of his mother, Savitri, a daily wage labourer. Life was a constant struggle, where dignity was often harder to come by than the meagre wages she received.

“One time, my mother was supposed to receive Rs 200, but in reality, she only got Rs 70 or 80. I couldn’t understand why she was paid so little. This issue continues to occur in many areas and is quite common. Officers or others responsible do not verify these discrepancies,” Hemant tells The Better India.

He adds, “My father was involved in social service, so we relied solely on my mother’s income to manage the household. It was very challenging to make ends meet. That day, while narrating the incident about not being paid in full, my mother broke down, and I couldn’t bear to see her suffer like that anymore.”

One afternoon, Hemant went straight to the office of the local contractor and questioned the discrepancy in his mother’s wages. “Instead of responding to my query, he mocked me, saying, ‘Are you some kind of Collector?’,” recalls Hemant.

That sneering taunt hit him with unexpected clarity and purpose. “If being a collector meant fighting against such injustices, then that was exactly what I wanted to become,” he shares.

This moment became the catalyst for change.

From failing peon exam to clearing UPSC CSE in 1st attempt

At first glance, Hemant seemed an unlikely candidate for the civil services. He completed his early education in his village and later pursued a BSc in agriculture, driven by a childhood dream of contributing to the farming tradition he cherished.

Before the contractor’s taunt, Hemant had only a vague notion of what civil services entailed — learning about it almost by accident through college peers and viral videos. However, that one comment kindled a fire, setting the 24-year-old on an arduous and inspiring journey toward the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.

Before this, Hemant had applied for various low-level government posts — including the D group examination for a school peon — but failed to secure any. “At the time, I didn’t have any dreams. I just wanted a job to support my family,” he says.

In 2022, he left for Delhi with only Rs 1,400 in his pocket and dreams in his eyes.

Life in the bustling metropolis was a far cry from the simplicity of village life. But it was here that Hemant found an unexpected network of kind-hearted individuals who recognised his potential and supported his journey.

“There, I met a teacher who waived the fee for science and technology, and my optional subject, sociology. I didn’t join any coaching for the other subjects. Instead, I studied from materials and booklets shared by seniors,” he shares.

Reflecting on his journey, Hemant credits the pivotal role of a supportive community, the guidance of mentors, and his own relentless drive. “I feel blessed to have had the guidance of seniors. They advised me on what to focus on, which was crucial. I studied NCERT textbooks from classes 6 to 12, along with standard books and notes provided by them.”

“In the first month, I lived with a friend, but it affected my studies. Later, I met a businessman — a friend’s acquaintance — who supported me by waiving my rent and food expenses, which came to around Rs 12,000 per month. It was unimaginable to me that someone could offer so much help after meeting only once,” he shares.

That support gave Hemant not just stability, but the mental space to fully dedicate himself to the demanding exam. Mastering previous years’ questions (PYQs), immersively studying NCERTs, and analysing newspaper articles became the foundations of his preparation. “These were the cornerstone of my success,” he mentions.

In 2023, Hemant cleared the UPSC CSE exam on his first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 884. “My parents were overjoyed, and it was an overwhelming moment for them. My father was standing in a bank when I called him. He had already brought along a box of sweets because he had faith in me. When I shared the news with him, he was so excited that he accidentally tried to put the keys into someone else’s bike,” laughs Hemant.

“My mother is an incredibly strong woman, and I’ve only seen her cry twice — once during the contractor incident and once on the day my results were announced,” he shares.

Recalling the big day, Savitri (47) tells The Better India, “The day my son’s results were announced, I quit working as a daily wage labourer. Never in my dreams did I imagine my son would become an officer. Manne toh ghani khush hui (I was extremely happy). I hope to see him as a collector someday.”

Now an officer, with a mission to serve

After clearing the examination, Hemant went to Mussoorie for the first time as an Indian Revenue Officer. He completed his foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).

For Hemant, clearing UPSC CSE was more than a personal ambition; it was about representing every mother and every family subjected to an unfair system. “This struggle wasn’t just my own — it was shared by countless others. I was determined to chart a path through it, not just for myself but for them too,” he says.

Hemant envisions a future where his role as a civil servant directly addresses the inequities he witnessed growing up. “My mission is clear. I want to eradicate corruption in wages of agricultural labourers. I also want to facilitate innovations in farming to boost village-level agro industries and improve their economic conditions,” he shares.

He adds, “I aim to connect farmers with local water conservation efforts and resolve long-pending files for tubewells — some of which have been stuck for 20 years. I remember a case where one farmer couldn’t get an electric tubewell for years, while a wealthier farmer received one in weeks through bribery. I want to put an end to this kind of injustice,” he shares.

Edited by Khushi Arora; All images courtesy: Hemant Pareek.

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