The selection of a youth from a forest-dependent family in Chhattisgarh to the prestigious Indian Forest Service (IFS) has emerged as an inspiring story of determination and educational empowerment, drawing praise from Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap. Congratulating newly selected IFS candidate Ajay Gupta over telephone, Kashyap described the achievement as a symbol of hope for thousands of youths belonging to rural and forest regions of the State. He said Ajay’s success reflected the aspirations and resilience of families dependent on tendu leaves, mahua flowers and other minor forest produce collection activities. Ajay Gupta shared that his family had long relied on seasonal collection of forest produce and single-crop agriculture for livelihood support.

 

During childhood, he and his younger siblings used to participate in tendu leaf and mahua collection activities during summer vacations to support the family. Despite limited financial means, his parents prioritised education and encouraged their children to pursue studies. Ajay said his parents had studied only up to Class 10 but remained determined to provide quality education to their children. Reflecting strong academic performance, Ajay secured 92.66 per cent marks in Class 10 in 2011 and 91.40 per cent in Class 12 in 2013. He credited scholarship schemes operated through the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation (CGMFPFED) and the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Economically Backward OBC students for supporting his education and reducing financial pressure on the family. Kashyap said such achievements reaffirm the importance of welfare and educational support initiatives for forest-dependent communities.