Why choose civil services?

Why choose civil services?

 

This is the most important and most discussed question for UPSC interview. Interesting thing is to note that it is a kind of MCQ having very simple options such as public service, power, respect, money, satisfaction or some permutation - combination of all these. But still it takes months to arrive at an answer which one can present with conviction during the interview. But somehow I feel this question should have been other way round – Why not civil services?

Answer follows:

 

It all starts from the moment when your name finds mention in the UPSC merit list. The next moment is a magic moment where you are a celebrity, role model and one of the most intelligent and lucky human beings. You are then approached to share your success formula, to grace felicitation functions, to give media interviews and what not. It is like you enter in limelight from some sort of darkness. So just one exam and rest all follows.

With start of the training, this chapter ends giving way to another beautiful and amazing chapter. Probationer or OT (officer trainee) gets to enjoy unique role of officer cum student. For persons like me, it becomes even more unique giving chance of experiencing hostel life. With start of morning PT and bombardment of classes, it seems like some revolution has come in life. For many it brings 180 degree turn from all night to all day cycle and many a times, it transforms into all day walking and enjoying nature from all day sitting schedule of office during various nano, micro, short and big treks. It is tough but believe me, one gets to enjoy one of the best moments of life through all this.
 

I am sure most of the civil servants sacrifice a lot for this exam – family, friends, parties, movies, outings and much more. But don’t worry. Government is well aware of this Big sacrifice and it makes sure that each one is compensated in all the mentioned areas in the best possible manner. To give an example, I have visited more places in last one year than I had visited in rest of my entire life.

It might sound a bit arrogant to say that most of the people here are toppers from the best colleges of the country but believe me, this is true. This topper race makes many people completely zero in sports, cultural and other extracurricular things. So here, this is also taken care of and everyone becomes sports person cum stage artist by the end of the training.

This khelna koodna and naach gana is just one small part. Real learning is the gyaan given by guest speakers. This is another feel good factor when you see ministers, Parliament members and chiefs of various other organisations coming to address you and considering it as their great pleasure to get a chance to interact with us (the future of the country). It is always a great feeling being referred to as the ‘best minds of the country’ by some of the greatest people.

 

As there are always two sides of coin, this training has one other reality also. Nothing seems to be more important than sleep when you have to wake up at 5.30AM in the winters of Mussoorie and walk down more than 1 km to polo ground for PT. Life seems to be a torture when you have to attend classes for whole day and walk uphill and downhill for every single meal and that too always dressed up in formals. But I am sure that for the all good things here, anyone would agree to face these small inconveniences happily.
 

I dont know how the life will be once the training is over. I just wish, hope and believe that it will always remain like this. Besed on my experience till now, I can definitely say and you will also agree that civil services are the best. So then why not civil services.....

A visit to RAPHAEL and NIVH : Home for Differently- abled people

 Most of us or I should say all of us have this deep desire of doing something for our society especially for the vulnerable section of the society. But for some reasons, we don’t get a chance to do so, may be because we don’t know from where to start or may be because we think that our small contributions cannot make any big difference. I don’t hesitate to accept that I also used to think similarly till I got an opportunity to visit RAPHAEL and NIVH.

RAPHEL is an NGO based in Dehradoon working for the intellectually challenged people. After visiting RAPHAEL, I felt as if I have got a glimpse of some other world. Some of the children there might be undesirable and burden for their parents but members of RAPHEL put all their efforts to make sure that these children get a chance to live life with dignity, care and love. It was completely a mesmerizing experience to see children there studying, playing, dancing, making beautiful candles, stoles and paper bags, working on computers and most importantly to see them enjoying each and every moment with their friends.

Visit to NIVH(National Institute for Visually Handicapped) gave me an opportunity to look into world of visually challenged children. I am sure most of us would have never imagined that these children not only have all the books in braille form, talking books, full fledged library but also geometry box, playing cards, Cricket ball and wickets, Chess board, carom board especially designed for them.

The interaction with the students of 11^th and 12^th class at NIVH made me really feel surprised as the questions raised by them were so contemporary and relevant and also these children were so much aware and updated about everything including movies, music, politics, sports and most importantly civil services exam - future career choice of many of them.

If we try to analyse efforts of these two organisations at cost benefit parameter, we might not be able to appreciate much as working with such children demands huge efforts and patience with outputs which are never certain. But yes, considering every human life valuable even if one is physically or intellectually challenged, we can estimate significance of efforts of these organisations.

I am sure that this visit has given many of us a new direction and motivation to give shape to our desires and dreams of doing something for our society. We might not be able to make a very big difference but surely we will make difference in the lives of at least few people.

I love my language

We take pride in being called Indian and being associated with everything which is related to our country. We cherish our national symbols, our culture, our heritage and everything else even slightly related to India. But when it comes to Indian languages, things seem to be a bit complex and unclear.

 I am sure if asked what is the national language of India, majority of Indians will reply - HINDI. It may not be right 

from the constitutioal point of view but still we consider HINDI as our own languaue. Now on the other side,when  we see position of Hindi language today in our society, academics, jobs and even in day today life, we realize that how contradictory these two things are.

We all agree that English language has become the need and necessity today to pursue higher eduaction and good career in India. And more than that it has become a status symbol. Till this point it is fine but it seems very strange when I see that this language has taken place of Hindi not only in academics and formal conversations but also in day today communication. Today it is very common to find  2 North Indians talking in English even though it might be a casual conversation or gupshup.

Things can be accepted even upto this extent but one day when someone said to me that whatever we do and try but that Hindi touch will never go from our language when we speak in English. He had said this especially in respect of North Indians as people from Southern and North Eastern part of India are generally better and more fluent in English free from the 'Hindi touch'.

This made me then think that knowing a foreign language can be good but how knowing our own language can be bad. Do we really need to hide that we know Hindi or feel bad about knowing our own language?

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

It was truly a different and wonderful experience today to celebrate Independence Day of my country after so many years. It sounds strange but it is true that I was celebrating this day after a gap of around 8 to 9 years. The celebration here our academy at NACEN reminded of my school days where we used to start preparation for this big day weeks before. It used to be then practice for cultural programme, different sorts of PT, patriotic poems, songs and speeches. 14 August used be the day for full and final rehearsal and also uniform off to give us some time to make sure our uniform is all clean and shining.

We used to be so much enthusiastic about it that we used to make sure our old and regular uniform looks all new. And then on the big day, we all nicely dressed and with tricolour ribbons making formation of Indian flag used to try to present our best show. And then the sweets distributed at the end of the function used to be a reward for all our efforts.

As we moved into higher classes, all these activities reduced down slowly and slowly and then with the start of the college, it just became any other holiday for us. And if some year we feel a bit more patriotic, then it would be watching flag hoisting ceremony on TV or sending Independence Day wishes by sms.

I really think why this happens that we celebrate all other Indian festivals which are generally associated with birth of some God or other but when it comes to celebrating birth day of our own country, we become to indifferent to it. We even don’t know that reasons of all other Indian festivals are true or might be these are just mythological stories, but we know that reason associated with this day is something very substantial and has given us a chance to live with freedom. So this day is much bigger for us than just a holiday.

As an officer of Govt of India, this was my first Independence Day and being in police uniform made it more special.  When we gave salute to our national flag as it was unfurled and national anthem was sung, it was all together a unique feeling. And I am sure I felt happier than any other year when I just spent this day treating it only as a holiday. I just wish that I get the opportunity to celebrate this day in this manner every year!!

5 Years Completed

It seems as if it just happened yesterday when I started with my father from my home and left for Noida to join my first job. It was similar to when a little girl goes to school for the first time holding her father’s hand. When I look back, it has been 5 years. 5 years of my professional life…. And I don’t know why but I somehow feel proud of this ‘mere fact’

 On this day 5 years ago, I stepped into the so called professional world. A step for independence, to prove myself, to live life in my own way, to get a feel of outside world and most importantly, to earn some money and buy everything ‘on the list’.

Not all but yes, some of these I have definitely got and may be not fully but yes, partially.

It was July 2007, perfect rainy season in Noida and then there was much more….A newly built Air conditioned guest house with delicious food, Cab for pick & drop, Office building like a 5-star hotel, freedom to leave training sessions at any time, availability of tea, coffee, biscuits all the time. I know these things are small or I should say very very small but it was enough to make a young college graduate feel privileged and happy J

Along with these good things, there started many struggles which continued for next 4 years. Struggle for searching a flat and then trying all the means for it - browsing classifieds, calling property dealers, go to check the available flats, sometimes looking for PGs.. Once this is done, its struggle to make this flat something like ‘Home’ – arranging furniture, setting up kitchen, looking for maid, sometimes self cooking.

Along with this, there were so many other struggles too – struggle to make new friends, to survive and feel comfortable in a team where I had the privilege of being the only female member, struggle to find something to pass my time in initial few months and after that always a struggle to steal sometime from busy office schedule for studies.

However, these years have given me a number of moments to cherish, a number of unforgettable memories, a chance to work with some of the most genius people and make good and lifetime friends.

Of these 5 years, most of it has been at Freescale with little 6 month training of IRS Customs. I am not sure whether I can count this training period as part of my professional life as I find this like a college or I should say like a schoolJ. However I think it qualifies for professional experience as it satisfies one of the most important conditions of profession – I get my salary every month

I can’t say exactly how much I have learnt in these years or how much more mature I have become. But I am sure of one thing that these experiences have made me stronger and I find myself in better conditions in handling whatever comes. I am able to adjust with the things may be because I have seen the worse things. I know to cherish the free time because I have already gone through busier schedule.

And then I am enjoying this Special day at one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Just a perfect  ending !!

Did I aspire to become custom officer?

I don’t remember if ever in my childhood I was asked what I aspire to become in life and even if someone did, I am sure Custom Officer could never be there in my ‘to become’ list. Surprisingly that’s what I am today. So then how this really happened. I tried to figure it out one day..

The education system in which I studied, one’s interest had no relation with his/her career options or may be the system didn’t even give enough exposure to one to identify one’s interests. Performance in 10^th standard used to guide choice of optional subjects in 11^th class which in turn used to dictate availability of career options. As a rule, All toppers and so called ‘bright’ students used to opt Science (Bio or Math) and with due respect to this rule, I also did the same by opting for Science Math. Like all other Math students, I went to become an engineer with Electronics stream, the most popular stream at that time available only to the good rank holders.

I was able to keep this tag of topper and ‘bright’ student even during my college time irrespective  of whether I liked the subjects or not. This paid me in turns of getting placement in a very good company. Within few months of joining the company, I felt that I need to go one more step further to reach to a place where only ‘toppers among toppers’ reach and I could find only IAS as such field.  After 3 years of struggle, my name was there in civil service merit list with my rank making me entitled to join the prestigious Indian Revenue Services, Custom and Excise.

I don’t know how much right was my thought process. But I really feel that our education and social system makes sure that one’s career is guided by set rules like exam performances, popular sentiments etc. Students are never given any exposure to identify their career aspirations. Some are lucky to land at right place and others not. I consider myself among lucky ones!!!!

Whats ur Hobby????

When I see ppl struggling with the Hobby column in the application forms, it really makes me think why this Hobby thing is such an important part of any interview. This then becomes the most discussed topic where everyone is asking others – “Which hobby u hav mentioned? What all questions u hav prepared for it”?  Most of the ppl are then regretting that why they don’t hav even a single hobby worth mentioning in the form. Then they pick some ‘safe’ hobbies and put that in the form. Problem solved but only temporarily. The real problem arises when you have to make this ‘safe’ hobby as ‘your’ hobby. But, why so???? 

    Lets try to find out this starting with the dictionary meaning of the word ‘Hobby’.  Good, its so simple as it just says – ‘Things done is leisure for one’s own pleasure’.  But then why  this  ‘leisure-pleasure phenomenon’ suddenly becomes cause of d trouble.  It is then argued  that its an important aspect of one’ s  personality, it tells abt ur capabilities, it decides for which all assignments u wud be best suited and so on. You may get convinced or may not, doesn’t matter as now its time of the interview so u hav to hav some hobby. Don’t worry, choose a ‘safe’ one J

    Some of us might think ourselves just too ‘stupid’ and ‘useless’ to nt hav a ‘good’ hobby. But before doing this, lets see how ppl get these ‘good’ hobbies. Sm are lucky enough to hav extraordinary talent in music, dance, art, sports etc. Sm are lucky to born in such familes whr these thngs are nt considered worthless. Sm  are lucky to njoy company of ppl gifted with these ‘good’ hobbies. Sm go to such schools whr their interests are nurtured in d form of hobbies. But I am pretty sure that even after all this, still majority is left with ‘no’ hobbies.  May be bcoz there was no one to help them in turning their vague interest into hobbies. May be bcoz in their leisure time, they had other important responsibilities then thinking of their pleasure or may be they never had leisure time. May be bcoz their stupid timepass thngs dnt qualify as a hobby for eg. gossipingJ

  Anyways, we finally clear d interview and are so happy to get rid of this ‘hobby game’. But , these hobbies appear once again, this time not as part of application form but as part of your formal introduction. It may so happen that u r still nt able to make those ‘ safe’ hobbies as ‘your’ hobbies. No worries. Now u hav ample time, support, experience to choose ‘genuine’ hobbies for you. Dnt worry if u still dnt hav a Hobby Bcoz I think I am still without any hobby but I m in the process of discovering one for me, just for me!!

  

Dreams.... My Dreams!!!!!

DREAMS.. smthng of other world.. smthng virtual.. n it is always said.. "khayalon ki duniya se nikal ke yathartha ki duniya me jeena seekho"(come out of dreams and learn to live in d real world). I smtime think hw much dis is true? Is dere no connection b/w dreams and d reality? For me - dere is. I still remember d UPSC preparation days. My days used to start with books and end, ofcourse wid ... Books, and then planning for what to read in d mrng while lying in bed.. n then in DREAMS.. ohh i forgot, dis was also in syllabus :( ohh dis is GS paper and i hav read PubAd :( ohh i dnt remember anythng.. Good.. rest dreams i dnt remember :).. and now as d life changes, my dreams too.. Now d day ends wid.. which movie tomoro.. or which novel.. n so on and in my dreams too, i am njoying dis. but still i smtimes dream.. Ohh I got late for d Yoga class :) :) So I better gonna sleep now....GN

home.... away from Home

Home.. A word, which I am sure brings shining on faces of most of the people. But for some or the other reasons, we are forced to be away from our Sweet Homes for long long times.. In fact it is good also bcoz it makes us to realise d importance of it. I still remember my college days when I just used to find its too boring to stay at home with so many restrictions and  responsibilities. I was just waiting for joining of my first job away from Home. The starting days away from Homewere just wonderful with taste of freedom and no responsibilities.. but that lasted for just few days. Then suddenly I just started missing everythng about Home which was boring for me at some point of time. Then with time we develop a bonding with this new place. Time goes on and this bonding become strong and as soon as this new place becomes like our new home, we are forced to move to some new place. The History repeats itself but may be it takes less time this time to accept this place as new home. Not sure abt others but I have already started feeling a bonding with NACEN.. My new home, away from Home!!!!