In Yamage village, nestled in Kolhapur district, a young shepherd once wandered through the hills, his only companions, his flock by his side and dreams tucked deep in his heart. That boy was Done Birdev Siddappa, whose life revolved around grazing sheep by day. With no sturdy roof over his head and no luxurious classroom to sit in, he learnt under the open sky, crafting a future with determination. 

His background, steeped in poverty, would have easily discouraged most. But Birdev wasn’t most. He was a spark waiting to ignite, a fire that would one day light up the path for countless others.

The Scholar Who Refused to Settle

Even in his early years, Birdev’s brilliance refused to go unnoticed. At the Murgud exam centre, he emerged as the top scorer in Class 10. He went on to top the science stream in Class 12. With a fire in his belly, he moved to Pune for graduation, and later to Delhi, the battleground for every UPSC aspirant. 

In Delhi’s chaos and libraries, Birdev immersed himself in books, preparing to rewrite his destiny. Two failed attempts did not break him. They sharpened him. For four relentless years, he endured. And finally, on the third attempt, he emerged victorious with an All India Rank of 551 in UPSC 2024, a rank that echoes not just effort, but evolution.

The Call That Changed Everything

When the UPSC results flashed online, Birdev wasn’t surrounded by phones or people, he was again with his sheep, in the green fields of Belgaum. Unaware of the world changing around him, it was a friend who broke the news. At that moment, time must have stood still. 

The journey from grazing sheep to the gates of the Indian Police Service (IPS) is one few dare to take and even fewer complete. But Birdev walked it with courage and a heart full of hope. For him, success was never about a job. It was about transformation, proving that where you start doesn’t define where you can go.

A Father's Tears, A Nation’s Pride

His father, Siddappa Done, couldn’t comprehend the layers of bureaucracy his son had entered, but he understood this, his child had conquered a mountain. Yamage village erupted in celebration, not just for a son who had made it big, but for the idea that anyone, from any corner of this country, can rise. 

Birdev’s story is more than a success story. It is a revolution. In a world where privilege often paves the way, here was a young man who carved his route with sweat and sacrifice. And through him, a million dreams now dare to live louder.