The Remarkable Story of IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma
Early Life and Struggles
Manoj Kumar Sharma was born into a humble family in a small village of Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Sharma faced numerous obstacles during his schooling, eventually failing his 12th-grade examinations. In school, he aspired to be an IPS officer, but his academic performance did not appear to support this ambition. He received a third division in his ninth and tenth-grade exams, but in his 12th board exams, he failed in all subjects except Hindi.Despite his academic setback, Sharma's determination to join the police force remained unwavering. He subsequently traveled to Gwalior and enrolled in a graduate program. He completed his graduation from Maharani LaxmiBai Government College of Excellence in Gwalior. His financial situation was so severe that he once didn't have a place to live and had to sleep with beggars in temples. He also drove tempo for his livelihood and to support his family. Once he went to an SDM office and asked him, " How to become an SDM like you?" The SDM told him to prepare for civil services exams and secure a good rank to become an officer.
The Journey to IPS
Manoj Kumar Sharma met Shraddha Joshi in class 12, who became his wife later. Manoj was an introvert and scared to confess his love as Shraddha was very studious, whereas Manoj even failed in class 12. However, after a lot of thinking, he gained courage and proposed to her "If you say yes, I will turn the world around for you,". After listening and being impressed by Manoj's simplicity, Shraddha said yes. Since then Manoj took his studies seriously and paid absolute attention.
Manoj began preparing for the grueling UPSC examination alongside his college studies. He took admission in Drishti IAS, a reputed institute for civil service exam preparations. Sharma encountered numerous challenges while preparing for the IPS exam but remained undeterred. He faced many difficulties throughout his life, including growing up in poverty and spending nights on the road with beggars. He worked at a library in Delhi, which turned out to be the best decision he ever made. There, He read books about notable writers like Gorky, Lincoln, and Muktbodh to better grasp the meaning and purpose of life.
Achieving the Impossible
In a remarkable turn of events, Manoj Kumar Sharma cleared the IPS examination with flying colors. He failed to crack the UPSC exams in his first three attempts before finally passing the UPSC exam on his fourth attempt with an All India Rank(AIR) 121. In 2005, he joined the Maharashtra cadre as an IPS and is now the Additional Commissioner of the West Region in Mumbai. He is happily married to the love of his life, Shraddha Joshi who also cracked UPSC and is an IRS officer.
Dedication to Duty
As an IPS officer, Sharma's dedication to upholding the law and maintaining order is commendable. He has been involved in various high-profile cases, earning accolades for his exceptional service. He has served on different posts in the Maharashtra Cadre and has also gone on central deputation to CISF.Awards and Recognition
Manoj Kumar Sharma's outstanding contributions to society have earned him several prestigious awards and recognitions. His journey from a 12th-grade failure to an IPS officer serves as a powerful example of determination and perseverance. He has written a book on his life journey called '12th Fail' which is been recognized nationally and now a movie is also being released under the same title '12th Fail' by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, a renowned director.
