Jahangir’s World Times: Would you tell us about yourself, educational background and achievements.
Dildar Ali Abro: I belong to a rural area i.e. Odero Lal station which is located in district Matiari, Sindh. I got primary education from my hometown. I received secondary education from a boarding school system. After graduation, I got third position in the inter-provincial scholarship from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.
Then I did Masters in Sociology from Sindh University, Jamshoro. After this, I appeared in the CSS examination-2009 and got selected in Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP). I think qualifying the CSS exam was my greatest
achievement because I got allocated in my favourite group i.e. Foreign Service of Pakistan, (FSP).JWT: Polio has scarred the image of Pakistan in the world. Although you yourself are a polio victim yet your successes are definitely phenomenal. How you can portray the positive image of our country?
RW: Polio is, of course, a serious challenge for Pakistan. Actually, there is a little awareness among common people about the rights of the disabled and facilities to be provided to them. I myself had to face a lot of problems to reach this stage. I believe Pakistan is a country abounding in opportunities because I, myself, have become a part of this prestigious fraternity without any political backing or influence.
Foreign Service of Pakistan — my first choice in the occupational groups — is the right platform to present a positive image of Pakistan as through this, I can represent Pakistan all over the world.
JWT: Impressed by your endeavours, if some readers decide to go for CSS, then what advice would you give them? And, how do you see Jahangir's World Times (JWT) as far as guidance for CSS-exam is concerned?
RW: I would exhort readers and new aspirants to believe in hard work. Always keep in mind that there is no substitute to hard work. When hopes are high and eyes are towards target then nothing is impossible, that is what I have learnt from my life and, of course, personal experiences.
Candidly, Jahangir's World Times (JWT) worked as a mentor for me as it has been a constant source of knowledge when I couldn't join any academy during the preparation for written part as well as for interviews. It was JWT that provided me with all the required information about the CSS and its preparation. All its articles are very informative and thought-provoking. I would strongly recommend the new aspirants to consult JWT while preparing for the CSS.
JWT: How one can make a difference in written part?
RW: One can make a real difference through vast reading and by developing one's analytical skills. Elements like coherence, clarity of ideas and logical arguments must be kept in mind while answering the question. Strong introductory and concluding paragraphs also prove really helpful.
JWT: How did you manage to get through Essay and
Précis & Composition papers? Although these two are the most crucial papers, yet you fetched good marks especially in Composition paper?
RW: I drew up a simple strategy; write, write and write. I used to write and practice complete essays and it helped me a lot in developing writing skills and rectifying any mistakes. This ultimately paid off and I got excellent marks in Composition paper. Students usually shun practicing essay or
précis which is not the right approach. The more you write, the more you know about your weaknesses and the more you sharpen your writing and analytical skills. As regards English composition paper, one should work on the basic syntax, enrichment of vocabulary, and above all, one should always work more and more on
précis, comprehension and expansion of ideas.