Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, who on Wednesday made it to the civil services securing the 10th rank in the selection list, said Kashmiri youth should aim high to realise the dreams that their parents have seen for them.
Talking to IANS, Bhat, a veterinarian by qualification and an Indian Forest Service officer of 2013 batch, said he belonged to the remote Haripora Younis village in Handwara tehsil of Kupwara district and had his heart set on getting into the civil services.
"My father served as a state administrative cadre officer and his dedication and hard work has been my motivation to make it to the civil services," he said, adding his mother was a housewife, "who has toiled all her life living dreams for us".
Bhat, who is the youngest among four brothers and a sister, also said that he would not attribute my success to any single person.
"I owe my success to my parents, sister, brothers, friends and well-wishers. Everyone has encouraged me to try hard and not get disappointed by failures... those are always temporary unless you accept them as your final destiny."
Asked what message he has for Kashmiri youth who are presently at a crossroads due to the prevailing situation in the Valley, Bhat said: "I am not qualified to give advice, but I can only suggest and request.
"Work hard and there is no career you can make to.
"First and foremost priority of our boys and girls should be to realise the dreams parents have seen for them.
"Kashmiri boys and girls have the sky as the limit provided they aim high."
Bhat's father, Ghulam Mohiuddin Bhat is a retired Kashmir Administrative Service officer of 1984 batch.
For the first time this year, 14 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have made it to the civil services selection list.
Besides Bhat, others who made it to the civil services this year are Bisma Qazi at 115th rank, Suhail at 125th, Fakruddin at 85th, Anayat Choudhary at 808th, Inayat Khaliq at 605th, Saqib at 472th and Sahil Dhingra at 917th rank.
