Zainab Sayeed is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who made history in 2014 by scoring the highest marks in the interview round of the UPSC civil services examination. She secured a rank of 107 in the examination and became an inspiration for many aspirants, especially Muslim women. In this article, we will explore her Wikipedia profile, age, biography, husband, parents, and achievements.
Early Life and Education of Zainab Sayeed
Zainab was born in 1987 in Chitpur, North Kolkata. She belongs to a middle-class Muslim family. Her father, Syed Abdul Wahab, is a retired government employee and her mother, Naseem Ara, is a homemaker. She has two brothers and a sister.
Zainab was a bright student since her childhood. She completed her schooling from St. Thomas Girls’ School in Kolkata. She was interested in literature and participated in various literary activities. She also served as the school council president in her final year.
Zainab pursued her graduation in English Literature from Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata. She was a gold medalist in her batch. She then did her post-graduation in the same subject from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. She also qualified for the National Eligibility Test (NET) for lectureship.
Zainab had a passion for writing and journalism. She worked as a sub-editor in The Telegraph, a leading English daily in Kolkata, for two years. She also wrote articles and book reviews for various magazines and journals.
Zainab Sayeed Wiki/BIO
| Name | Zainab Sayeed |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1987 |
| Place of birth | Chitpur, North Kolkata |
| Education | B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Lady Brabourne College and Jadavpur University, Kolkata |
| Profession | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer |
| Cadre | Madhya Pradesh |
| Rank | Collector of Chhindwara district |
| Achievements | Highest scorer in the UPSC civil services examination interview round in 2015, with 220 out of 275 marks (80%) |
| Awards | Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, Chief Minister’s Award for Good Governance, Nari Shakti Puraskar |
| Family | Husband: Hussain Izzy, a businessman from Kolkata; Son: Zaid |
UPSC Journey and Success
Zainab had always dreamt of becoming an IAS officer and serving the nation. She started preparing for the UPSC civil services examination in 2012. However, she could not clear the preliminary round in her first two attempts. She did not lose hope and continued her preparation with more dedication and hard work.
In her third attempt in 2014, Zainab Sayeed cleared the preliminary and the main examinations. She was confident about her performance and was looking forward to the interview round, which is the final and the most crucial stage of the selection process.
Zainab appeared for the interview on April 8, 2015. She faced a panel of five members, headed by former diplomat Rajiv Sikri. She was asked questions on various topics, such as English literature, international relations, European Union, FDI in retail, and her hobbies and extra-curricular activities. She answered all the questions with clarity, confidence, and conviction.
Zainab impressed the panel with her knowledge, personality, and communication skills. She scored 220 out of 275 marks (80%) in the interview, which was the highest score ever achieved by any candidate in the history of the UPSC civil services examination. She secured a rank of 107 in the final merit list and got selected for the IAS.
Zainab attributed her success to her determination, hard work, and the support of her family and friends. She said, “My husband Hussain Izzy played an important role to motivate me. He set the time table for me to study. That was very much of help.” Her husband is a hardware businessman. She also thanked her parents and siblings for their encouragement and guidance.
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Career and Achievements
Zainab joined the IAS in 2015 and was allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre. She underwent training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie and the Academy of Administration in Bhopal.
Zainab Sayeed was posted as the Assistant Collector of Indore, the largest city in Madhya Pradesh, in 2016. She handled various departments, such as revenue, land records, urban development, and disaster management. She also initiated several projects for the welfare of the citizens, such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Smart City Mission, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
In 2018, she was transferred to the state capital, Bhopal, as the Additional Collector. She was responsible for the administration and coordination of various schemes and programs in the district. She also played a key role in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a flagship scheme of the central government to provide affordable housing to the urban poor.
In 2020, she was promoted to the rank of Collector and posted in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. She is the first woman collector of the district and the youngest collector in the state. She is currently overseeing the development and governance of the district, which has a population of over 20 lakh.
Zainab has been praised for her efficiency, honesty, and innovation. She has received several awards and accolades for her exemplary work, such as the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, the Chief Minister’s Award for Good Governance, and the Nari Shakti Puraskar.
Personal Life and Interests
Zainab is married to Hussain Izzy, a businessman from Kolkata. They tied the knot in 2013, a year before her UPSC success. They have a son, Zaid, who was born in 2016. Zainab balances her personal and professional life with ease and grace.
Zainab Sayeed is a voracious reader and a prolific writer. She loves to read books on various genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and philosophy. She also writes articles and blogs on various topics, such as social issues, women empowerment, and current affairs. She has published a book of poems, titled “The Fragrance of Life”, which is a collection of her thoughts and emotions.
Zainab is also fond of music and dance. She enjoys listening to classical and contemporary music. She also likes to watch movies and TV shows, especially those based on history and culture. She is a fan of Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.
Zainab is an avid traveler and a nature lover. She likes to explore new places and cultures. She has visited many countries, such as the USA, UK, France, Germany, and Singapore. She also likes to go on trekking and camping trips with her family and friends.
Zainab is a role model and an inspiration for many people, especially Muslim women. She has proved that with determination, hard work, and support, one can achieve anything in life. She has also shown that one can excel in both personal and professional spheres, without compromising on one’s values and identity. She is a true example of a woman of substance.
Aspirations and Inspirations
Zainab Sayeed is an inspiration for many young aspirants who want to join the civil services and serve the nation. She is a role model for women, especially from the minority communities, who face many challenges and stereotypes in their pursuit of education and career. She believes that nothing is impossible if one has the determination and hard work to achieve it. She also emphasizes the importance of having a positive attitude and a balanced approach towards life.
Zainab says that her aspiration is to make a positive difference in the lives of the people through her work. She wants to contribute to the development and welfare of the society and the country. She also wants to continue her learning and growth as a civil servant and a human being. She hopes to get an opportunity to work at the central level and handle some challenging and important portfolios. She also dreams of representing India at the international forums and enhancing its image and stature in the world.
Zainab is a shining example of excellence, dedication, and service. She has achieved remarkable success in her career and has also maintained a humble and graceful personality. She is a proud and worthy member of the Indian Administrative Service and a valuable asset for the nation.
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Content Source:- Wikipedia.org
