Yaseen Shan Muhammad, a young man from Kerala, rose from poverty, sold newspapers during his school years, and worked as a Zomato delivery boy to put himself through college, and ultimately aced the Kerala Judicial Service exam to become a civil judge.
We often come across inspirational success stories that inspire and motivate us to deal with our own problems, but there are a some truly uplifting tales of struggle that stand out among the rest. One such saga is the heartening journey of Yaseen Shan Muhammad, a young man from Kerala who rose from poverty, sold newspapers during his school years, and worked as a Zomato delivery boy to put himself through college, and ultimately aced the Kerala Judicial Service exam to become a civil judge.
Here’s his phenomenal journey from a delivery boy to becoming a civil judge;
Who is Yaseen Shan Muhammed?
Born in a financially constrained family in Palakkad, Kerala, Yaseen Shan Muhammad, was raised by a single mother who had been married off at the tender age of 14, and had Yaseen when she was just 15. The young woman, a school dropout, was divorced at 19, but did not give up on life, and instead raised her two kids– Yaseen and his younger brother, as a single mother while working multiple jobs, including as an ASHA worker and a daily-wage labourer.
Growing up, Yaseen had a tough childhood because of the family’s financial condition, however, despite the pressure of supporting his family by earning a livelihood from a young age, he never gave up getting himself an education.
During his school years, Yaseen Shan Muhammad did odd jobs, working as a newspaper boy, delivered milk, and even worked as a daily-wage labourer at construction sites to support his education and earn a living to put food on the table for his family.
In a recent interview, Yaseen revealed that he always wore used clothes and never had money to but book, and these financial struggles forced him work odd jobs from an early age.
From Zomato delivery boy to civil judge
After completing his schooling, Yaseen completed a diploma course in electronics, and landed a small-time job in Gujarat, where he worked for a year before returning to his home state and earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, and later went on to pursue a law degree.
Yaseen cracked state law entrance exams with flying colours, securing the 46th rank, and earning his admission into the prestigious Government Law College, Ernakulam. However, funding his college studies was tough due to economic constraints, and he began tuition classes for school kids to support his education.
While in college, the young man even worked as a delivery boy for Zomato to make ends meet, but then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, forcing him to abandon his meagre source of income.
After completing his law degree, Yaseen enrolled as an advocate in March 2023 and started his career in judiciary as a as a junior lawyer to Advocate Shahul Hameed at Pattambi Munsif –Magistrate Court, according to LiveLaw. To supplement his income, Yaseen began running tuition classes for law students, helping them prepare for judicial service exams, which in turn also helped his own preparations of the test.
‘Hard work eventually pays off’
Yaseen secured the 58th rank in his first attempt in the Kerala Judicial Service Examination but failed to clear the mains. However, he persevered, and in 2024, aced the exam again, this time emerging as one of the state toppers, securing the 2nd rank, and realising his dream of becoming a judge.
The 29-year-old credits his success to sheer determination and hard work, and fondly remembers his friends, peers, and seniors, who supported and encouraged him on his journey. “Hard work eventually pays off,” Yaseen believes.
Yaseen expressed his deep gratitude to a close friend who lent him financial support after he lost his job as a delivery boy during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I tried for a personal loan which I did not get during Covid-19 and with exams approaching, I wasn’t able to work either. Looking back, I realise that many people like my close friend, Anjitha helped me navigate through difficult times during my LL.B. journey. Their support played a crucial role in helping me get through those challenges,” LiveLaw quoted him as saying.
The inspirational journey of Yaseen Shan Muhammad is a shining example of how determination, hard work, and resilience can help transform one’s life and enhance their station in life.
