Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ’12th Fail’ is certainly creating ripples on social media and Internet after its subdued release in theatres nationwide. Many of those who have had a similar experience as IPS Officer Manoj Kumar Sharma are coming forward and sharing their story of grit, perseverance and success. One such story is about “12th fail” Umesh Ganapat Khandbahale who is now a Superintendent of Police (SP) in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
After watching the movie on OTT last week, he recalled his own journey to becoming an IPS officer after failing in English language subject in Class 12.
Khandabale, 37, hails from a poor family in a Maharashtra village, Mahiravani. His father is a farmer and used to sell milk.
“I watched the film with my family and I was recollecting my struggle days. Those memories are still important and help me to combat all difficulties. I failed in English in 12th, left school and started working with my father. I use to collect milk and take it to Nashik Bazar. On my way, I saw one Yashwant Rao Maharashtra Open University. I went there and asked them whether I can give the exam? I worked hard. After watching the film, all those tough days came in front of me like a flashback”.
He took up horticulture but he did his Masters in English. He said, “The fact that I failed in English actually inspired me to take up English because I wanted to excel in that.”
After his Masters, Khandabale came to Delhi in 2012 and gave his first attempt for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam at the age of 26. He cleared it in 2015, and got married after with Chaitali.
He is the first IPS officer from Mahiravani, and all villagers are proud of him. “I tell everyone that everything is possible. Restart is definitely the mantra. You can definitely restart after failure,” Khandabale said.
He watched ’12th Fail’ movie with his wife, a home-maker, and his five years old son. “Indeed, it was very emotional moment for us,” said Khandabale.
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