When his mother faced some anxious moments on not finding a toilet at the busy Goraguntepalya junction in southeast Bengaluru, he launched an online campaign for toilets in 2022. Within four months, he mobilised and got a mobile toilet installed that helped hundreds of women who wait at the junction to board long-distance buses to north and coastal Karnataka. Police sub-inspector Shanthappa K aka Shanthappa Jadamanavar’s feat was highlighted by TOI. On Tuesday, 33-year-old Shanthappa scored another high by clearing Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam — he secured 644th rank in his eight attempt. The sub-inspector, who is currently posted at the command centre attached to Bengaluru City Police Commissioner’s office, is likely to become an IPS or IRS officer. Shanthappa’s tale is that of resilience and triumph. Hailing from a nondescript Hosa Genikehal village in Ballari district, his early years were marked by adversity, having lost his father at the tender age of one. He was raised single-handedly by his mother, who toiled in farmlands to provide for her son. Despite lacking interest in academics initially, Shanthappa’s perspective underwent a transformation after facing setbacks in his pre-university education. ‘I realised that education is life only after failing in PU exam,’ he said. He pursued higher studies and eventually graduated in science from Veerashaiva College. Fuelled by an unwavering determination to succeed, Shanthappa embarked on a journey to crack competitive exams, enrolling in UPSC coaching in Delhi after graduation. However, the road to success was fraught with challenges. Despite his relentless efforts, Shanthappa faced failure in his initial attempts at UPSC. Though he cleared the sub-inspector exam in 2016, his ultimate goal of clearing UPSC remained steadfast. On his advice to youngsters, Shanthappa said: ‘I suggest they don’t waste time in cricket and politics; education alone can make our life better.’