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.....
