Episode Number: 259

From No Electricity to Becoming India’s Most Fearless Bureaucrat: KJ Alphons | The Mohua Show EP-259

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About This Podcast

In this powerful episode, host Mohua Chinappa sits down with K. J. Alphons — former IAS officer, politician, best-selling author, and one of India’s most respected change-makers*.

From being labelled “an idiot” in school and scoring 42% in his board exam, to becoming a topper in the IAS, India’s global face in governance, and author of The Winning Formula — Alphonse’s journey is a living testament to resilience, grit, and unshakeable character.

Key Takeaways:

How failure became the first miracle of his life, not the end of the road
From learning English with a dictionary to becoming India’s best national debater for 3 years
The legendary demolitions in Delhi, taking on land mafias and top politicians with courage and preparation
Why “the greatest equipment in life is not your heart or brain, but your backbone”
Ordinary Indians doing extraordinary things — the 52 stories behind The Winning Formula
A tough message for parents, teachers and the education system — stop copying success, start discovering originality
Why reading books and building character matters more than filters, likes and overnight success About the book – The Winning Formula

Episode Timeline

0:00

: Intro — From a remote village to India’s most fearless bureaucrat

5:45

: Shoes thrown on stage to becoming India’s best national debater

12:00

: Why he wrote The Winning Formula

17:10

: Facing powerful politicians, demolishing illegal mansions

24:35

: What every young person must know about failure

31:30

: The biggest enemy of a child today

36:50

: Why Indians must start reading again

40:30

: Final message — You are not ordinary

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any views expressed by our guests on our Show and its associated platforms.