A YouTube-taught constable is set to become the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Arunachal Pradesh. Kekdam Lingo, a 28-year-old constable who was with Delhi police, has just cleared the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive Examination (APPSCCE) and qualified for the Arunachal Pradesh Police Service.
“I don’t know how to react to it. I still can’t believe this. I’m so happy. I’m on cloud nine,” Lingo, a native of Pokto village in West Siang district, told Outlook.
Lingo, son of a church caretaker, had joined the Delhi Police in 2016 in a bid to support his family and assist his younger brother to continue his studies, but he was always determined to achieve this feat.
“I was always determined to clear this exam. My father was unhappy when I joined as a constable. He wanted me to be an officer,” Lingo said.
Even during hectic and unscheduled duty hours, Lingo continued to prepare for this test. “I couldn’t carry books during the duty hours. And you can’t take out time separately to prepare for exams. So, my smart phone was the only guide, mentor and tutor for me, which was with me round the clock. In between duty hours, whenever I used to get time, I used to watch YouTube tutorials and videos related to general knowledge. It has been immensely helpful. So, YouTube and smart phones are the mantra behind my success,” Lingo, who used to stay in police barrack, said.
Talking about the various distractions he faced while preparing for the exam, Lingo said, “I admit that it’s very distracting with so many items lined up on YouTube, mostly entertainment stuff. It’s very difficult. I could manage to overcome these distractions because of the hardships I faced during my tenure as a constable. It inspired me to stay focussed at my goal,” said an emotional Lingo.
Apart from that, he felt that preparation for such exams begins during school days. “My father used to give me examples of great people and their way of life. This has helped,” said Lingo, who completed post-graduation in geography from Rajiv Gandhi University at Itanagar in 2015.
“Working with Delhi police has opened up new things in my life. It has completely changed the way I used to see things in life. I have understood the hardships and struggles faced by others and thus, it motivated me,” Lingo added.
Apart from him, Borang Saroh, a nurse and mother of five, has qualified for the post of district food and civil supplies officer (DFCSO) and Api Nungnu, a contractual staff nurse from Daporijo, has earned her place in the APCS entry grade, ranking 13th in the APPSCCE.
