Shah Faesal was the former Indian Civil Servant, a Doctor and a Politician. He is the first Kashmiri Muslim to top the UPSC exam in the very first attempt. Let us find out some more interesting details about Shah Faesal’s life, his family, biography and other facts.
Biography/Wiki
Shah Faesal was born on 17 May 1983 (age 36; as in 2019) in the village Sheikh Nar in Sogam area, Lolab Valley, Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir, India. He was educated in Urdu medium at Government High School, Sogam, Kupwara. His father taught him English and Mathematics at his school. Faesal completed his MBBS from Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS), Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. He was the University topper.
Family, Wife & Caste
Faesal was born into a Sunni Islamic Family. His father, Ghulam Rasool Shah, was a Government School teacher. His mother, Mubeena Shah, was also a Government School teacher. Faesal’s father, Ghulam Shah, was killed by the unidentified militants in 2002; when he refused to give shelter to the militants. Faesal was 9 years old when his father was killed; after which, his family moved to Srinagar.
Shah Faesal And His Mother
Faesal is the eldest of the three children. He has one younger brother, Shah Nawaz (Doctor) and one younger sister, Talat Shah (Library Assistant).
Shah Faesal, With His Family
No details are known regarding his marital status.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 70 kg
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Black
Career
After graduating in MBBS, Faesal worked as a Physician. He became the RTI activist in Srinagar. During this period, Faesal decided to appear for the UPSC exam to serve the country at a larger scale. In 2009, at the age of 27, he appeared for Indian Civil Services Examination and stood out to be the topper of the batch. As per the reports, Faesal prepared for the exam only for a month; without any help from any coaching institutes. He chose Urdu as the optional language during his Civil Services Exam.
Dr Manmohan Singh, Congragulating Faesal on His Success In Civil Services Exam
Shah Faesal, Bestowed with Bouquet After Being Declared IAS Topper
Faesal was trained at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). He became the role model for the youth of Kashmir and also initiated many events to help inspire the youth of Kashmir in taking up the Civil Service Exam. He is often seen giving inspirational speeches to the UPSC aspirants and is quite active on Social Media Platforms.
He was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner at Bandipora District of Kashmir Valley. On 9 January 2019, Faesal resigned from the services of IAS to protest against the unabated killings in Kashmir and join the Politics. He posted his decision for resignation on his Facebook page.
Shah Faesal’s Facebook Post of His Resignation
Controversies
- In April 2018, his Tweet made a huge debate across the country which was in context to the Kathua Rape Case. He also tweeted a letter addressed to him by the Commissioner initiating the State Government, to take action against Faesal; for allegedly failing to discharge his duties in accordance with the Civil Services Rules.
Patriarchy+Population+Illiteracy+Alcohol+Porn+Technology+Anarchy = Rapistan!
— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) April 22, 2018
Love letter from my boss for my sarcastic tweet against rape-culture in South Asia.
The Irony here is that service rules with a colonial spirit are invoked in a democratic India to stifle the freedom of conscience.
I’m sharing this to underscore the need for a rule change. pic.twitter.com/ssT8HIKhIK— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) July 10, 2018
- In another case, Faesal compared Article 35A of the Indian Constitution and stated that the repealing of the said Article would end the relationship of Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India.
I would compare Article 35A to a marriage-deed/nikahnama. You repeal it and the relationship is over. Nothing will remain to be discussed afterwards.
— Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) August 5, 2018
- He was also criticized to be on a long leave during his post as IAS officer in 2018.
Favourite Things
- He loves watching the 2016 movie, La La Land.
- Mahatma Gandhi is his idol leader.
- His favorite singers are Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Richa Sharma, and Maha Ali Kazmi.
- He loves to listen to Sufi music.
- His beloved history teacher is Moshik Temkin.
- He adores the poets like Dr Iqbal and Oscar Wilde.
- He likes to read the book Imagining India by Nandan Nilekani.
- He is a Non-Vegetarian.
Facts
- During the Kashmir unrest in 2016, Faesal objected the national media who used his pictures to draw a comparison with that of Burhan Wani, a commander of Kashmiri militant group.
- His hobbies include Group Discussion, Listening to Music, Travelling, Reading and Writing.
- He is inspired by Abdul Gani Mir, an IPS Officer from Kupwara.
Abdul Gani Mir, IPS Officer
- He criticized the Government led by Bharatiya Janta Party stating “subversion of public institutions like the Reserve Bank of India, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the National Investigation Agency has the potential to decimate the constitutional edifice of this country and it needs to be stopped.”