By Nurul Islam Laskar,
Guwahati, Nov 18: The story of the Assam Civil Services Exam 2016 topper Maria Tanim is no different from the “flight of the Phoenix.” She had appeared for the ACS exam in 2014 and when the results were out, she found that she failed to qualify for it just for one mark. She was utterly disappointed and demotivated to the extent that she decided not to sit for the same again. It was only her parent’s persuasion that motivated to make another try in 2016 and lo, she came out topper of about 100 aspirants who made it to the finals. This was narrated by Maria at a felicitation programme that was hosted by Smartcoach in Guwahati on Sunday.
“I am an ordinary girl and there’s noting special about me. I love cooking and am a fan of Salman Khan,” said Maria while interacting with the young crowd that had come to greet her on her outstanding success. Maria traces her roots in Hailakandi District of Assam, had her early education at Kendriya Vidyalaya Silchar, and her post graduate degree in biotechnology from Amity University Noida. She had her grooming for the competitive exams done at the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Coaching Centre, USTM and another small stint of coaching with Smartcoach.
While welcoming Maria, Suman Saha, CEO Smartcoach, said, “We are proud of our small degree of association with Maria and wish her all the best in her emerging career. We hope she will work for eradicating corruption from our society and bringing development in the real sense of the term.” Saha said Smartcoach is the only institution of coaching for competitive examinations that has its roots in the North East but has plans to spread across India and emerging as the numero uno organisation of its kind in the country.
Many other women achievers of the Barak Valley of Assam converged at the felicitation to express their jubilation and solidarity with Maria on this happy occasion. Among those who felicitated Maria with gifts and mementos were Ameera Yasmin of Assam Judicial Service; Rashida Tapader, GM Smartcoach; Rehana Choudhury, Managing Partner, Foresight India Communication; and Shirin Latif, Life Coach and promoter of ‘Gorgeous You’ campaign.
On conclusion of the felicitation programme, a studio recording of Maria’s story was done by Rezwana Parveez Bhuyan for sharing it with young IAS & ACS aspirants who missed the day’s event. Chandra Goswami anchored the entire programme.