“From humble beginnings, determination grows into greatness“
Introduction
Every person’s life becomes a testimony of transformation: struggle and achievements, errors and realizations. In many ways, mine is but a reflection of the tenacity, perseverance, and stature of growth. This autobiography might have written the Phases of my life, but it also goes beyond that to tell the tale of the lessons I’ve learned, the struggles I’ve survived, and the values that’ll guide every step of my life henceforth.
Born and brought up in a village where there were neither facilities nor crime, I have gone through some hard realities of poverty within family responsibilities, an education plagued with providences not allowing for future gains, and the embraces of hard times. Fortunately, I chose to learn life’s lessons not as an example of demotivation but far more as instruments to enable resilience, empathy, and responsibility, working not towards self-growth alone but for that of society.
I have had a journey far from the easy path. From a phase of my education riddled with threats to what today names itself a profession of service to the nation, all the fare had to be hard-fought, with utmost persistence and firm belief in knowledge and service. But honestly, along the way, doubt, lament, and regret crept in. I urged myself forward armed earnestly with a sense of duty toward family, society, and the country at large.
I also deal with regrets—what I wish I could have done differently, the dreams yet to be fulfilled. These regrets are not marks of failure but reminders that there is still a journey of becoming better or being able to give more to humanity.
“To break barriers, you must first believe they are meant to be broken.”
Phase 1 : Roots of Determination
I, Dr. Shiv Singh, hail from a small, nondescript village in Uttar Pradesh-again in the Fatehpur district. I was born here in the year 1988, in those days when simplicity was both known as a virtue and expected for survival. Our village, with only around 800 inhabitants, holds dear many old traditions but, at the same time, carries the burden of limited opportunities for employment and the everlasting scourge of educational backwardness.
I grew up in a lower-middle-class family that revered each morsel and every rupee earned through hard work. My father, a hard-working and strong man, has worked as a supervisor in the Public Works Department (PWD). While modest, that salary was the strength of our family’s structure. I could see in him an unrelenting drive to work, something I have aspired to achieve not only for myself but for all my family and my village.
Though small, this village breathes with the cumulative dreams of its people. It is the kind of place where education is more a luxury than a necessity where dreams take shelter in their hearts, loitering around with the burdens of daily life. Still, from this point in time, a spark was lit in me to rise up and break those invisible chains: That yearning to make a different kind of path. Reflecting back on my journey, I realize the impact of my choices. I stand as the solitary student in my village to acquire higher studies and earn opportunities in the public or private sectors. Being a first is both a privilege and a burden for me; it imposes a burden to show that irrespective of how humble one’s origin is, dreams remain valid, and success is possible.
Those years were fuelled not just by ambition but by a sense of duty. I was not studying just for myself; I was carrying the unfulfilled dreams of a community that had never imagined one of its own breaking barriers. Quiet sacrifices from my father and silent prayers from my mother became my strength; a reminder of what I was working for.
These early years of my life are a tribute to the power of resilience and hope. The greatest should not be inherently inbred, but it is for persistence and purpose alone. My roots were rather humble, yet they form the bedrock of the entire mix that I am today boy from an unmarked village who dared to dream and took the first step toward realizing that dream.
Family has always been the backbone of my journey that determined my identity and strength to pursue his/her aspirations. With total determination, my father, Mr. Kali Charan, stood firm, while my mother, Mrs. Phool Mati, stood like a symbol of a nurturer. Together, they grew a family based on the factors of a home filled with love, sacrifices, and acceptance of all that fate had in store.
We have a large family—four sisters and three brothers, making seven. I lie second among those closely knitted to the family by virtue of having an elder sister. The elder sister finished with our graduation, which was a precious part of the experience of growing up together. But that took place in a world where education for girls in their village was seldom thought to be important relative to other such responsibilities. The feeling of love and solidarity became my saviour-a source of eternal strength and blissful purpose.
“Adversit y is a crucible where resilience is forged, and vision is sharpened.”
Phase 2 : Growing Amidst Challenges
The living circumstances in my village were simple, nevertheless not without an array of challenges, for someone who harboured wishes to go beyond the dusty lanes and see one horizon. While education existed in name, the prospect of worthwhile pursuit did not seem to be great. Irrigation of electricity and water was highly irregular and/or unreliable. Even today, it is more or less an isolated rural area classified for all intents and purposes, despite being just three kilometres fro
For most families, poverty defined their reality, and education was considered more of a luxury than a necessity. This was especially true for girls, who were invariably not even afterthoughts. The community consisted largely of labourers and workers, and there was nothing except for the mind frame favouring survival rather than growth.m the district headquarters.
In such an environment, my father stood as a loophole and exception. This is a man who had been poorly educated but worked at the government with persistent hard work. His position: supervisor in PWD. For him, stability and inspiration were always one step ahead of me to work myself education-wise, and he left no stone unturned for me to be on his radar.
I had no friends at all from the village vicinity. The ambiance itself hardly seemed conducive to creating ties founded on intellectual nurturing or mutual academic growth. The other kids out there sought what you might call a durable direction, letting them fall prey to the distractions of village life. My father understood this and became my shield. Every morning, he would bring me to school, and pick me up in the evening to avert the bad company around me.
The village environment was mostly tumultuous: loud music would blare during festivals and events, and there were distractions aplenty. For a boy who dreamed of a life carved out by education, it was a battle to get himself focused amidst the noise. My home was no refuge from such distractions but also the place where I learned some lessons of discipline and resilience.
My mother was uneducated, but she helped, in ever so quiet ways, keeping the house with patience and dedication so that I could give more time and effort to my studies. My uncles and extended family had given no such beliefs or arguments for education. None of them had gone ahead with it, and so quite a bit of there was a lack of understanding and encouragement.
Even as a child, I understood that the journey was a lonely one. I was the only one to aspire for a life transcending beyond and outside the village in my family and amongst my peers. Beyond the occasional cricket match in the fields, I had never played sports or games since my studies always came first. No one to guide me, nor did I have a role model; yet, this also meant I had the absolute freedom to imagine what I might like to do.
I carried with me the burden of the ‘odd one out’ every day. My neighbours often questioned my intentions and sometimes even mocked me. “Why does this boy think he’s different?” would echo in disturbances meant to drag me down. But it was their disbelief that made me stronger.
“To educate oneself is to rise above the circumstances into which one was born.”
Phase 3 : Educational Journey A Tale of Trials, Triumphs, and Resilience
My educational odyssey is a reflection of the courage and determination required to rise above adversity. From a humble abode in Fatehpur, I went through schooling from a government school to the district level. Life was simple, and dreams and aspirations nourished by life’s happenings formed paradigms guiding my success. Foundation- and support-level ones were well set to prepare me for my studies, at Sada Shiv Inter College (my 9th and 10th grades). However, that which lay before was not the smooth path, but a choppy road full of tribulations that sorely tested my mettle.
Incubation of 11th and 12th Grades
Upon completion of my 10th grade, I went to Fatehpur for my 11th and 12th grades, in AS Inter College. A bright student, I often used to be one at the top of the class. I was second, and my dear friend, AS Chauhan, was first. This instilled friendly competition among us, and I vowed I would top the 12th grade. At last, all that work paid off, and I was number one—that was my shining day of happiness. However, not everybody was happy about it. The vice-principal of the college happened to be a friend of my uncle, and he seemed to have a grudge against me. During my board exams for the 12th grade, a grievous incident happened whereby my mathematics answer sheets were confiscated. Later, I came to know that this was done to prevent my scoring the first rank. My marks were later declared incomplete, killing my hope and keeping me in despair when the results were announced.
Weight of Injustice
That period was one of the darkest in my life. Formerly, I had always been known for good behaviour and an ardent desire for learning; now the sudden injustice appeared as a betrayal of my own. Desperation engulfed me. I remember some sleepless nights of value assignments with a sea of doubts about my future. I was so swamped by depression that I questioned why I had to go through this.
Fight for Justice
The whole case turned out to be so lingered and so unbelievably time-consuming. With every passing day, it felt that I was waiting for a resolution that may take a few more. Several long months passed; until finally I received notice that the court had rendered the long- due verdict—in my favour. August! It was almost too late to begin with my BSc course as was my immediate plan. Still, despite the chaos, that was a tiny leap toward justice; an Allahabad court order compelled the board to send me my mark sheet corrected from its office, and although it was in my favour, the year had lost its worth, an important year of mine wasted, affecting my confidence considerably.
Rediscovering Direction
After enduring depression and uneasiness for a few months, I decided to join Mahatma Degree College in Fatehpur to pursue a BA. Nevertheless, my heart craved something much more technical, aligned with my skills. Once again, a twist of fate turned the tide for me in my life through Er. Vidyanand Sahu. He persuaded me to join the Civil Engineering diploma course, which had always aroused my interest. I took his suggestion to take the entrance exam for Government Polytechnic College in Fatehpur, and by the grace of God and joy, I cleared it.
Golden Years of Polytechnic
Three years at the Polytechnic from 2005-2008 were quite thorough and rejuvenating, the time for growing back and self-renewal. It was a time of rekindling one’s passion and making some lifelong friends. Mentors at the polytechnic were kind and very supportive, making me thrive in such an environment. After years, it was for the first time I regained my zeal. Those years turned to gold for my academic venture time, which was surely going to form a stepping stone for my future in civil engineering.
Entering the Professional World
While pursuing this education, I was recruited to join the World Bank-funded highway project through a private company, marking my foray into the civil engineering world. Balancing work against studies was a challenge, though it did render me independent and provided me with ample reasons to be proud of myself. In the meantime, I, with great delight, helped some of my friends and colleagues in their studies or professional endeavours, building a community wherein our joint hard work produced results.
“The power of advocacy lies in turning personal pain into collective progress.”
Phase 4 : From Friendship to Leadership
A Journey of Advocacy & Growth
It was 2007, and I was in my second year of studying for a diploma in civil engineering at Government Polytechnic College, Fatehpur. Nondescript was not the general atmosphere of that day when my friend, Ambreesh Babu Prajapati, approached me, obviously distraught. Ambreesh came from a humble background, his family making a living in the profession of the traditional pot-making community of Prajapati. On that day, he came to me to tell me about a heart-wrenching loss college administration had rejected his scholarship application, leaving him unable to pay his fees.
Rediscovering Direction
I would not let the administration deny Ambreesh a scholarship. Within days, I huddled into the college directives and did my homework. I gathered up all the other students who were facing similar challenges. Then I once again faced the principal, armed with evidence and arguments, and I refused to leave without a satisfactory answer. After several persistent days, the administration had fumbled its hand, and Ambreesh finally received his scholarship.
That little achievement was more than just financial help for my friend; it was a turning point in my life. I realized, for the first time, that advocacy is a powerful tool in standing for others. That experience cemented my lifelong passion for leadership and service.
The Birth of a Leader
It was at that very moment that leadership became a strong part of my identity. I thought it was important to contribute and actively participate in student union elections and take on responsibilities at college. I found meaning in being the shoulder on which others could lean for any help-whether on an event or problem fellow classmates were experiencing.
This was not limited to college but went far beyond. I started volunteering in my village and neighbouring communities. From getting children enrolled in schools to helping families in distress, I was happy to be able to make a difference. “A small act of kindness can change someone’s world”, I would say.
Transitioning to the Professional World
In 2010, after my diploma, I started working for a World Bank-funded highway project. The corporate world was a different ball game, but my leadership calls guided me through. Preparing for government exams while doing my job, I nurtured the ambition that a more stable government job would project confidence in my efforts to serve the community. It was life-changing when I finally cleared the SSC examination and was inducted as a Junior Engineer in the Ministry of Defence.
Leadership opportunities continued to knock on my door. I participated actively in two major associations in the Ministry of Defence, namely, the All India Civil Engineers Association and the All India Ambedkarite Association. It focuses on the rights of representation of marginalized communities specifically the SC/STs among the employees.
“The best way to honour those who inspire us is to carry their values forward in our own lives.”
Phase 5
Threads of Kindness
A Journey of Learning and Giving Back
Social work has been a part of my life. One episode of 2019 is something I still remember as a tale of collective effort and compassion. She was a young girl whose critical illness could not be borne by her family. By the time I came to know of this, I simply couldn’t sit back there. I reached out to an NGO to connect with her family and assess how best to help. Despite my limited financial capacity, I took the initiative to raise funds. My salary as a junior employee at the time was modest, so I sought contributions from colleagues and friends.
Many people generously contributed in amounts ranging from ₹500 to ₹1,000. In total, we were able to collect ₹31,000, which I remitted to the NGO via a formal check. The money went into her treatment, and happily, the girl recovered fully. Today, she is doing well, and this experience reinforced my conviction that community power is important to lend a helping hand to people in need. This experience inspired me to carry on my association with organizations working for social causes.
Continuous Learning: A Legacy from My Father
The importance of education had always been instilled in my mind by my father, who would often say to me, “Son, if you want to succeed in life, never stop learning.” His words became a guiding light for me, shaping not just my academic journey but life itself. From childhood to now, I have strived to make sure that my pursuit of knowledge never falters.
Despite the demands of my professional life, I have been able to make time for various courses and certifications. My curiosity knows no bounds. I have learned disciplines like yoga, which I formally studied under the Ministry of AYUSH, earning a certification a year ago. Yoga is not only a personal practice for me but also a means of giving back; in my free time, I sometimes teach yoga classes in the evenings.
I have even been a part of a 15-day stay at Baba Ramdev’s ashram at Haridwar. Learning from them will always be part of the self- cultivation about Ayurveda which has helped me cultivate healthy holism in life, passing on the advantages of life as well. The spiritual aspect was also an inevitable dimension, completed a few courses that involved online learning from places associated with spiritual values with intent, understanding the underlying currents of life, and channelling people around in a balanced way.
In addition to yoga and spirituality, my quest for knowledge prompted me to engage in disciplines such as astrology, numerology, and signature analysis. All these may sound unusual; however, my experience with people has taught me that it’s essential to explore all points of view to better interact with and provide useful counsel to individuals.
A Visionary Leader
My father’s influence extended beyond education to leadership. He was actively involved in social associations, and his example inspired me to take on leadership roles in various capacities. His guidance taught me that leadership is not just about authority but about service and responsibility. Whether it’s within my professional associations or in broader community endeavours, I’ve strived to embody these values. Even amidst a hectic schedule, I make time to volunteer and engage with my community. Be it helping a child gain admission to school, funding a needy student, or simply offering support during a crisis, these small acts of kindness fulfil my sense of purpose.
A Lifelong Mission
Life, with all its demands and uncertainties, has only intensified my desire to learn more and give back. Knowledge, infused with empathy and leadership skills, becomes an instrument for change. Professional achievements and social service, personal development, whatever the route taken, become a means of carrying on my father’s legacy-to be inspired and to inspire others to be inspired and to make a difference. In a world that most times rushes past its own weakness, I pause and try to observe and take action toward its betterment. By working on such big or little things, I could strive to make a real difference there.
“The trials we face forge the steel of our character, making us unyielding in the face of adversity.”
Phase 6 : Life Lesson
A Journey of
Resilience and Compassion
Life, for me, has been a relentless teacher, imparting lessons through trials, struggles, and moments of profound realization. Coming from a humble village background, my life has been shaped by the challenges I faced, and these experiences have instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a strong desire to alleviate the suffering of others.
There have been forms of hardships during my lifetime, be it educational, financial, or emotional. This hardship usually forces me to push through; however, these hardships mould my attitude toward life. Because of such experiences, I have become incapable of witnessing any other person facing similar suffering. Whether financial help is required, whether some form of emotional support or an educational hurdle has to be overcome, I try to be some form of solace to the people surrounding me.
My family played an important role in shaping this view. Being part of a large family with three brothers and four sisters, I saw my father and us together balance responsibilities. Together we ensured that my sisters got married with dignity and that my brothers were provided proper education. I remember that one of my brothers even used to study with me when I was posted in Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, in 2010. I took it as a personal challenge to see that he could also reach his destination without the problems that had arisen in my case.
As time passed, I began to feel that life is a mix of everything— spirituality, emotional well-being, and practical problem-solving. I’m spiritually deep, and I would study other areas such as astrology and numerology not out of curiosity but as tools for understanding life. Some would doubt the effectiveness of this practice, but I was lucky enough to experience its true impact. Spiritual insights through those teachings have shown me that indeed there is a higher power, and faith can indeed guide us through the darkest times.
A Testament to Teamwork During Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of unprecedented challenges, fear, and resilience. As the world wrestled with uncertainty, I found myself in the thick of the crisis as I was assigned the daunting task of contributing to the construction of a COVID hospital under the directives of the Ministry of Defence. This hospital, intended to accommodate 200 outpatient consultations and manage a footfall of 4,000 patients, was a critical necessity during those dire times. The situation was overwhelming. Hospitals were overflowing, and the scarcity of resources was palpable. I was entrusted with leading a team of over 200 workers and more than ten juniors to ensure the rapid and efficient completion of the project. The responsibility was immense, and the risks were equally high. The looming threat of contracting the virus was a constant source of worry, not just for me but for everyone on the team.
Despite the fear, I think the sense of duty and the desire to serve society prevailed. Our team adopted all precautionary measures available, from strict social distancing protocols to regular sanitization. I ensured instructions were clear and followed closely. Although the role required me to be physically present and involve personal interactions, I remained resolute in leading by example but prioritizing everyone’s safety.
“Our purpose in life is not only to grow but also to uplift others through the lessons we’ve learned.”
Phase 7
Personal and Professional Balance:
The Key to Harmony
Balancing life has always been the core focus of my journey. The distinct lines between professional and personal life never suited me. Instead, both have been approached with a personal touch, where professional life has been treated as an extension of family life. Such a thought has not only streamlined but also enriched my career further with trust, respect, and camaraderie.
Through experience and postings within the Ministry of Defence with the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, to DRDO, I have faced a wide range of environments. Here, my seniors and peers have been not just my associates, but more so like a family: My seniors being more like parents and my juniors, kids. With such an orientation in mind, this has transformed problems at the professional level into opportunities at a collaborative learning level. The skill has been honed for years. Today, with nearly 15 years of professional life, I have intuitively understood people. Whether it is my colleagues, subordinates, or family members, I can sense their concerns and respond proactively. This has not only helped me in managing my responsibilities but also created an atmosphere of ease and harmony around me.
“Regret is the soul’s way of showing us the work still left to do.”
Phase 8 : Regret: A Vision Unfulfilled
My wife, Dr. Rishikiran Saxena, is a BDS graduate, who has been a guiding force in my life and inspired me. Her long journey of perseverance to complete her education after marriage has motivated me to look beyond myself and to contribute to society in a much more impactful manner. It’s only been in the past couple of decades that I thought about setting up or aligning with an NGO that would help serve the needs of differently-abled children. Organizations with the mission of empowering the most vulnerable among us always sit close to my heart resources I need to implement this vision. It has been hard for me to be active in NGOs or even start such a project because of my current commitments. Still, I continue to find ways to bridge the gap, and I would really like to find a way to serve this noble cause.
The regret is not just in the lack of action but in the deep desire to make a difference. I see a school where children with disabilities are provided with education as well as medical facilities and emotional support. A place where retired professionals can donate their time and expertise to nurture these children and equip them for a life of dignity and independence.
To me, empowerment is a backbone for education, and I find myself inspired by retired individuals spending the rest of their lives instructing underprivileged children with no reward, not even perhaps a good name. Their selflessness sometimes makes me believe that some initiatives really can change people’s lives, and I wish for a place where such convergence happens to give holistic support to the beneficiaries.
Regret, they say, is the residue of dreams deferred. For me, there is one aspiration that lingers as an unfulfilled promise—a dream to contribute significantly to the lives of differently-abled children. Despite being in a position to make meaningful changes, my current commitments and circumstances have prevented me from realizing this goal. Yet, this dream remains alive, etched firmly in my heart and mind.
This is a dream that has never been realized but by no means forgotten. I am still driven by the vision of providing medical facilities, education, and an environment that is supportive for differently-abled children. I am determined to grasp the first opportunity that life throws my way to take meaningful steps toward this goal.
“Live for more than yourself, and you’ll find a life worth living.”
Phase 9 : Advice: A Message to the Young Generation
Dear generation, I have one genuine piece of advice: the first thing you must cherish the most is education. For me, education is something based upon which dreams are built. With education, the door for further opportunities opens. It has been a tool that could help empower not only you but also those around you in life. In life, money matters, but not everything. The fulfilment from the impact created, and the lives touched, constitute it.
After securing yourself in education and financial stability, you must give your efforts towards service. Service can be in many flavours- it may come in the form of sharing some knowledge, guidance, or support that an individual need. If you have means, contribute it monetarily to a cause worthwhile. If you do not, give what is valuable: your time, talents, and love.
Many in today’s world will not openly talk about or confront the challenges they face, and this is especially so if these have to do with health or personal issues. I want you to bridge that gap by really making an effort to understand people. Take time to listen, to empathize, and to find out what people are struggling with. Once you get to know what they really need, you will be in a position to offer meaningful solutions and support.