Advocate Hafeez Ahmad Lone, hailing from the remote village of Wanpora in the Gurez Valley of Bandipora district, has brought immense pride to his community by achieving a remarkable milestone—qualifying for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Public Prosecutor Exam 2023. This accomplishment has not only earned him national recognition but also made him a beacon of hope for aspiring candidates from Jammu and Kashmir.
Lone’s extraordinary feat came with an impressive 44th rank in the All India Rank (AIR) list, making him the sole candidate from Jammu and Kashmir to clear this prestigious exam. The UPSC Public Prosecutor Exam, which is conducted for coveted positions within the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), involved a rigorous selection process. The written exam took place on December 17, 2023, followed by interviews between September 17 and September 20, 2024. On October 17, 2024, when the final results were announced, Hafeez Ahmad Lone was named as one of the 48 successful candidates across the country.
This achievement has etched Lone’s name in history as the fourth person from District Bandipora to qualify for the UPSC, and more notably, he is only the second candidate from the entire Kashmir Valley to clear the UPSC Public Prosecutor Exam. His success is a testament to his unwavering perseverance, grit, and passion.
The journey to this triumph was far from easy. Advocate Hafeez Ahmad Lone spent 14 long years attempting various state-level Public Service Commission exams, facing numerous setbacks along the way. Yet, despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of success. “I was fortunate enough to be among the 48 successful candidates this year,” Lone reflected, acknowledging how the numerous disappointments in state-level exams could not deter him. “For 14 years, I continued my persistent struggle to achieve something extraordinary,” he added, demonstrating his resilience.
To qualify for the UPSC Public Prosecutor Exam, a candidate must have at least seven years of experience as an advocate, specifically handling criminal cases in courts across the country. This demanding requirement meant that Lone had to not only meet high academic standards but also gain extensive professional experience in the legal field. His legal journey began with humble roots. He completed his early education at Government High School Wanpora, followed by higher secondary studies at HSS Dawar. He later pursued his graduation at Degree College Baramulla before obtaining his LLB from the University of Kashmir. After earning his law degree, Lone started practising law at the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in Srinagar, as well as in subordinate courts.
Currently, Hafeez Ahmad Lone holds a significant position as a Law Officer in the Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs in the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Secretariat. His achievement, however, is not just a personal victory; it is a symbol of years of hard work, dedication, and overcoming adversity.
One of the most poignant aspects of Lone’s story is the adversities he faced early in life. Orphaned at just two months old, he was raised by his grandfather and mother, who were instrumental in shaping his life and career. His grandfather, Late Abdul Rehman Lone, and his mother, Ms. Sajida Begam, made countless sacrifices to ensure that he received an education and had the opportunities needed to pursue his dreams. “It was my family’s unwavering support that enabled me to reach this stage,” Lone said, speaking with deep gratitude. “My grandfather always encouraged me to aim high, and my mother sacrificed so much to ensure that I never lacked anything.”
He also credited his wife, Ms. Naheeda Nisar, for being a constant source of support and encouragement throughout his journey. “I owe this success to her as well,” he remarked, reflecting on how her belief in him never wavered, even during the most challenging moments of his journey.
Lone did not achieve this success alone. He expressed his heartfelt thanks to his colleagues and senior officers, including Law Secretary Shri Achal Sethi, Secretary ARI Department Muzaffar Hussain, Secretary Assembly Manoj Bhat, and others, for their support and guidance throughout his career. Their encouragement helped him stay focused on his goals and continue striving for excellence.
As a source of inspiration for future generations, Advocate Hafeez Ahmad Lone has an important message for aspiring candidates. “Perseverance and hard work are the keys to success,” he emphasised. “It’s not just about passing the UPSC exam or any other test, but about achieving any goal in life. If you struggle and work hard, luck will eventually favour you.” He added that with consistency, motivation, and dedication, even the most difficult exams can be cleared. “Nothing is impossible,” he affirmed, pointing to his own life as an example of overcoming obstacles through determination.
Lone’s journey is deeply inspired by the famous quote from Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea: “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” His personal story, from growing up in a remote village in the Gurez Valley to becoming one of the few from the region to clear the UPSC Public Prosecutor Exam, stands as a powerful reminder of the strength of human will and the importance of family support.
In conclusion, Advocate Hafeez Ahmad Lone’s remarkable achievement not only highlights his own perseverance but also serves as a beacon of hope for countless others. His success underscores the belief that with hard work, persistence, and support from loved ones, any goal, no matter how challenging, can be achieved.
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