Amid Vikas Divyakirti's Glory Post '12th Fail', Recalling Another Guru Who 'Ditched Rs 107 Cr for the Poor'

There has been a lot of chatter around UPSC preparations since the release of the Vidhu Vinod Chopra film “12th Fail” starring Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar. While Manoj Kumar Sharma, an IPS officer, is the central character of the film, Dr Vikas Divyakirti, the founder and managing director of Drishti IAS, a UPSC coaching facility, also rose to prominence soon after the film’s OTT release. Divyakirti is an influential individual among IAS aspirants for his educational videos and analysis on UPSC preparation and selection, and he portrayed himself in the movie “12th Fail”.

Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, is another such teacher whose name stands out in the extensive realm of UPSC competitive exam preparations. He is a teacher who is steadfast in his commitment to teaching, education, and the never-ending pursuit for knowledge. Khan Sir, who hails from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district, has grown in popularity, particularly among students and government job seekers.

Also Read|‘Gave Me Money, Only Wanted Rs 8 for Chow Mein’: All About ’12th Fail’ Officer’s Real Life ‘Pritam Pandey’

Khan Sir’s achievements are all the more impressive considering his humble beginnings, which were defined by academic difficulties and poverty during his childhood.  In his early years, he couldn’t afford a quality pencil and was merely average in academics.  Undeterred, he tried his hand at several competitive tests, such as the engineering entrance exam, NDA, and admission exams for the Indian Army, failing each time but never giving up. He pushed through these early difficulties and eventually earned an MA in geography and a Master of Science degree. His story serves as a beacon of hope for countless aspirants navigating their challenges.

The turning point in Khan Sir’s life came when a friend, Hemant, suggested he explore teaching. Starting with just one student, Khan Sir’s teaching prowess became evident as his first student became a school topper. Encouraged by the positive results, he expanded his reach, attracting more students to his classes.

The pinnacle of Khan Sir’s influence is his renowned YouTube channel, Khan GS Research Centre, boasting an impressive subscriber count of around 22.4 million. The channel serves as a digital extension of his coaching institute, “Khan GS Research Center,” located in Patna. Recognising the transformative power of online platforms, he ventured into YouTube in 2019.

Also Read|Meet Shraddha Joshi: U’khand Topper & Her Encounter with ‘Guns & Pani Wala Aloo’ at Wedding with ’12th Fail’ IPS Officer

In an industry where UPSC exam preparation courses often cost between 1 to 2.5 lakhs, Khan Sir revolutionised the education sector by launching the “Khan Sir UPSC Course” for a mere Rs. 10,000. His individual courses starting at Rs 200 cover a range of subjects, including Biology foundation, SSC, Statistics, English, NDA, Police exams, History, and more, making quality education accessible to a larger chunk of Students.

What sets Khan Sir apart is not just his exceptional teaching prowess but also his unwavering commitment to social welfare. In a recent episode on Kaun Banega Crorepati his altruistic values were prominently showcased when Stand-up Comedian and Actor Zakir Khan mentions that Khan Sir turned down a staggering job offer worth Rs 107 crore from an EdTech giant. Such firms intend to lure teachers in order to indirectly extend their reach to their student base. In an era where such lucrative opportunities are seldom declined, Khan Sir’s decision resonated with a profound dedication to his mission of empowering the underprivileged.

A post shared by Sarcastic (@acreativegurl)

The reasons behind rejecting the colossal offer were rooted in Khan Sir’s commitment to providing quality education to those who couldn’t afford it. As Khan Sir’s popularity shot up on YouTube, his online tutorials became a lifeline for countless UPSC aspirants. His distinctive teaching style, infused with colloquialisms and relatable anecdotes, resonated with students in a way traditional classrooms often fail to achieve. Beyond the syllabus, Khan Sir’s classes instilled confidence and a belief that success is attainable, irrespective of one’s background.

Also Read| This Railways Officer Feels ’12th Fail’ is ‘Exaggerated’, Recalls Days When He Met Manoj Sharma & Shraddha

In the plethora of educational influencers, Khan Sir’s story shines as evidence to the transformative power of education. His journey, from struggling with financial constraints to turning down a multi-crore job offer for the sake of societal welfare, paints a vivid portrait of a modern-day educator who goes beyond textbooks, shaping destinies and inspiring generations to come.