At 59, Vijay Kumar Sharma from Uttar Pradesh has finally achieved a dream he pursued for 27 years. After clearing multiple recruitment examinations but missing final selection, the Baghpat resident has been appointed as a Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) in Sanskrit at a government-aided school in Shamli.What makes his achievement more special is that he cleared the recruitment examination alongside his 28-year-old daughter, Mamta, whose name is currently on the waiting list. According to a report by TNN, Sharma received his appointment letter from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at an event in Lucknow.
Who is Vijay Kumar Sharma, the 59-year-old teacher?
Sharma, a resident of Badhwad village in Baghpat, will join Ailum Inter College in Shamli district, around 15 km from his residence. He will teach Sanskrit to students up to Class X.Speaking to TOI, Sharma said, “It was always my dream to get a government job as a teacher, and I made several attempts over the last 27 years. I kept giving the exams, and now, at the age of 59, my dream has finally come true.”His first attempt at a government recruitment examination was in 1999. Over the years, he cleared the TGT written examination six times and the Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) examination four times. However, he could not make it to the final selection list after appearing for interviews around eight times.
He kept teaching in private schools while preparing
For nearly 26 years, Sharma continued working as a teacher at a private school near Baraut while preparing for government recruitment examinations.His father, Lakshman Singh, was also a government teacher and inspired him to pursue the same career. Sharma also credited his mentor, Professor Kamla Agarwal, for guiding him through the long preparation journey.“There were days when I felt that the interview process was not transparent. Despite this, I never lost hope and heart. I kept trying,” he told TOI.He added that the latest recruitment process did not involve an interview, which he believes gave candidates an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.
Vijay Sharma with daughter Mamta Sharma
His daughter also cleared the examination
Sharma’s daughter Mamta, 28, cleared the same recruitment examination, although her name is currently on the waiting list.“Seeing my father prepare for years, since my childhood, to get this teaching job was a huge inspiration for me as well,” Mamta told TOI.Sharma said he remains hopeful that his daughter will also receive an appointment letter.
At 59, he still has time to teach
Born in February 1967, Sharma is expected to retire at 62 under the applicable service rules, leaving him around two years and five months to pursue his long-awaited government teaching career.“I made mistakes, plenty of them, corrected and tried again. Today, I feel that all those years of struggle were really worth it,” he said.Disclaimer: This article is based on reporting by TNN and statements made by Vijay Kumar Sharma and his family to TOI.