Part II - My takeaways from UPSC CSE preparation

First of all, special thanks to all of you who read, commented, appreciated and critically analysed my blog Part I. In fact few asked me when I am going to come up with this second part (as many of us waited for new episodes of GoT or sequels of Batman movie). Nothing can be more satisfying for an amateur to get such a response. Thank You.

When I was writing Part I, initially I had not thought that I would come up with this Part II. But while writing the former, I realised that I should divide my experiences of this coveted examination into two parts - My journey and My takeaways. The former has covered my journey and concluded with the very fact that even when one might not taste success (which all aspirants yearn and dream for), its important to internalise that destiny has some other plans for you. Building upon this, this part II will try to analyse several aspects including aspirants' personal and professional lives (and sacrifices) during preparation and how an aspirant responds (or should respond) after not making into civil services. Thus, this blog would try to cover few perspectives for living happily and contributing to make the world a better place everyday no matter what one does after this preparation journey is over.

First of all, analysing WHY one wants to become a civil servant is most crucial before one starts preparing and risking one's prime years of life (20's). If one gets a clear answer to this question, one should start preparing without thinking about its outcome. This is because Erikson (psychologist) in his psycho-social stages terms the final stage as "Ego integrity vs Despair". He says when humans are in their 60's-70's, they try to evaluate life opportunities they faced/encountered v/s those missed out/neglected. If the former outweighs the latter, one experiences "Ego Integrity" and thus ageing happily. Otherwise, it is a case of despair and those individuals regret a lot when they can't do even a bit regarding those life events. Thus, if one wanted to prepare for CSE and didn't do because of fears like instability in life (quit job) and money (salary), one might experience "despair". But if one prepared and no matter what was the outcome, one would experience "ego integrity" and have no regrets for future ("Kaash/Shayad"- What if).

Secondly, it is very important to assess one's personality for clear understanding whether one would fit in the system if selected or not. Bureaucracy is not a job suitable (or meant) for all. Unless an individual has a passion for community service and is confident of exhibiting work commitment and dedication despite political and bureaucratic hassles on daily basis, one might feel suffocated and restricted. Some people are too sensitive to not be able to act on policies that are unemotional or lack empathy (Stranded Labour paying train tickets). Some might fit into IAS job role and many might not be able to comprehend and enjoy the works involved in IAS profile. The latter might feel IFS or MBA corporate work to be more intellectually stimulating, free and better lifestyle.

Thirdly, its desirable to have a Plan B or back-up plan in case if it doesn't materialise. Since success rate is 800/5,00,000 (0.1%), if possible, one should ponder on this before jumping into the battlefield (Kurushetra) of UPSC. There are many aspirants with zero year work experience and 5-6 years of study experience (UPSC CSE). They start doubting on their abilities irrespective of their past glories and successes (like IIT/NIT/Gold Medalist etc.). They are later found falling in the trap of Government exams- UPSC-SPSC-SSC-Bank PO etc. because they fear which company would offer them a job after such a long break. Even when they can perform excellently in any service line or area they choose, they are reluctant and under-confident of entering into such arenas and fall in the easy but not suitable job profile.     

Fourthly, the exam is noteworthy for evaluating how many and which type of "Personal sacrifices" one can sustain or bear. Example- Relationships with world (asocial life without regular calls/chats/messages); Staying aloof of the modern developments in fast changing present world like Tiktok/Tinder (even if one tries to use them, one feels bad due to mind stuck in preparations and thus can't enjoy it freely). Similarly, one might have to bear "Professional sacrifices" too. Example- Several friends of mine who were getting attractive packages (even 50 LPA) in reputed organisations quit for CSE. Few of them have not made into the services despite 3-4 attempts not because they are incapable but because all of us can't get selected due to different reasons associated with the exam.  

Finally, this brings to an important aspect that has been touched in the last few lines of preceding paragraph and would also be covered in the following paragraph. It is a question that comes to mind while preparing and especially when results are out no matter one appeared or not. The question is "Kya mera ho paayega jab uska nahi hua" (Would I be able to crack this exam when s/he couldn't). Based on my limited understanding and experiences in this field, this exam should never be perceived in this manner. This is because of subjective nature of this exam. Its an examination of 2025 marks - 1800 Mains i.e. 4 GS papers (1000 marks), 2 optional papers (500 marks) and Essay (300 marks) and 275 Interview (PT). The former is highly subjective due to the very fact that marking may be decided by several extraneous factors that are beyond the control of aspirant like mood of evaluator; performance of the subject that year etc. The latter is also subjective to an extent as the marks one scores in PT may increase or decrease by 20-30 marks based on the interview board (UPSC Chairman/members) one gets. Some boards make this PT as stress interview, some as factual Q&A round, some as Situation based interview and some try to incorporate all these aspects based on an interviewee's DAF (perhaps addresses the demand of PT most suitably). This increases the subjectivity of the testing methodology and "luck factor" takes front-seat.  

Finally, an aspect I feel I should cover in this blog based on the comments I have received on my Part-I is "Life beyond UPSC". As aspirants, we think there is no job or life apart from UPSC in general and IAS in particular (which is fine to stay motivated and dedicated). This is why those who are even selected in civils but don't get IAS are found either trapped in the cycle of exam (EOL or frustration in that very service which one hadn't intended to join). But this becomes even more important for those who don't make into the list. They start considering themselves to be "failures" and start doubting on their capabilities, talents and intelligence. But this is not true as UPSC CSE doesn't validate or falsify one's potentials and intelligence (I was reminded of this by a very close individual whom I greatly appreciate for his humility and mentorship). It is an exam that checks few parameters (really subjective to point out them objectively here) to select 800-1000 odd aspirants. Those who get selected must have done something aligned to UPSC's requirements or criteria of evaluating candidates suitable for civil servants (I don't know what - perhaps as coaching institutes would answer this as good writing practice; conceptual clarity; sharp improvisation; addressing the key words of question and connecting it with different aspects of syllabus etc.). But the opposite is not true due to several well-known reasons like UPSC's methodology of examination; poor marking of an optional paper (Public Administration from 2012-15); "Just a bad day" on the day of Prelims/Mains/Interview etc.

Thus, to conclude this blog series "My UPSC CSE preparation - Journey and Learning for life", I would try to discuss what and how one can view this exam vis-à-vis "life" in general. Can we sum up our life under a single criterion like UPSC or IAS? I feel even those who are senior IAS officers might have experienced several life changing events not at work but may be during a trek or travel. This is because life goes much beyond success or so-called failure in any exam or job. There are thousands of civil servants who are doing splendid work in whichever service they were allotted. But there are also thousands of those who are not satisfied in the work they are doing and in fact had not expected the job of civil servant to be like this. Thus, those who don't make into the list should internalise the experiences and learning gained during UPSC CSE preparation to live "mindfully" throughout the life. Staying in the present moment with motivation to keep contributing constantly however and wherever one gets an opportunity to would lead to shaping as well as enriching our personal and professional lives. Having heard about as well as observed many of such aspirants like me who couldn't crack this exam, I can tell one thing with conviction which is "Our happiness and satisfaction in life is decided by how we respond in difficult and challenging circumstances and life events". I am sure many like me who couldn't enter into civil services would find many different and meaningful paths and opportunities to engage and contribute for building a better world.

Learning from UPSC Civil Services Preparation : Failure or Experiences- Part I - My journey in CSE

Almost all of us might have been an aspirant sometime in our lives for job or competitive college entrance exam. We always strive to crack that very exam because it would validate and confirm one's hard work and intelligence (Doubtful in many exams though). Even when a handful of them (hundreds or thousands) only crack the exam every year, all those who had prepared would dream (and pray) for one's success. Those who fail to be pass or clear, really feel heartbroken, frustrated and generally abuse (question) the Almighty (at least those who are theists). What do you feel should be the term for these people who couldn't make into their dream universities or jobs : Failures or Experienced guys?

Without stretching the background any further, let's come to the main agenda of the blog which is "Learning from Civil Services Examination preparation (IAS)". In this Part-I of the blog, I have focused on "My journey in CSE" which has been a bit cruel (and perhaps unlucky at least for me). It can be summed up as below-

2015- Prelims- Missed the cutoff by 15 marks- Had attempted the exam to understand its nature and difficulty level during my job itself.

2016- Prelims- Missed the cutoff this year by 1.33 marks. Heartbreak moment though not very much as I was still working.

2017- Prelims Qualified. Gave Mains and missed interview call by 9 marks. This was more difficult to digest as I wanted to appear in Interview (Personality Test as they call) and at least assess my Personality. But as there was scope for more hard work and writing practice (crucial these days), I decided to prepare one more time with more zeal and vigour.

2018- Prelims and Mains Qualified. Interview went really amazing and based on the transcript I wrote (shared here in my last blog) many veterans in this field had guessed that I should score something close to 200 in it. Finally, after several rumours about declaration of result, it came on 5th April 2019 at 7pm. After one has almost traversed one year in the exam, not finding one's name is as tragic as dismissal of Sachin in 2003 World Cup Final in first over. To make it more pathetic, there was a Nitin Kumar in the list but it wasn't me. But before I could make others understand this, many congratulatory messages had arrived. Now rejection became more bitter. This rejection was most painful in my journey of CSE. I had almost imagined this time to get into it as I had given a lot of effort in all aspects of the examination.

Further, I waited for a month to see the marksheet and know what led to my debacle this time. I had scored 179 in interview (fairly decent), 134 in essay (155 was highest this year and 130+ scores were rare) and 416 in GS (410+ was considered to be very good this year). Thus, it was only one single paper of 500 marks (Optional- Psychology) in this exam of 2025 (1800 Mains+275 Interview) that ruined my chances and shattered my dreams. I scored only 241 (lower than last year's 253 even when I had worked on it much more smartly than that attempt). I missed getting into the list by 13 marks (40-50 marks to become IAS). It was possible to score this much perhaps some other day with another evaluator checking my paper because I had scored well in test series. As we humans like to attribute cause for any event, I too tried to find the reasons for this poor performance of mine in Psychology. These can be several - poor performance of mine (Paragraph style vs point wise style of writing); evaluator's mood; average performance of the subject (230-250 in recent years) etc. None can assign one correct reason for the same (Can't see my copy as per SC's directive under RTI).

The moment this heartbreak happened at 7pm on Friday the 5th April, 2019, the very first thing that I think I had done was seeing the idols of Gods and Goddesses in my room. I asked them what bad I had done in life that my dream was snatched away after I came so close (5+ lakh appeared in Prelims- 10k in Mains and less than 2k in Interview). I wanted a reply from the Almighty that has answers to all questions, but there was none. In the meanwhile, I attended dozen of calls and listened to people's sympathy and encouraging words (Koi baat nahi, agle baar pakka hoga tumhara i.e. No issues dude, next time you will rock for sure). Next time was a bigger disaster and heartbreak.

2019- Prelims Qualified. Mains not qualified. This year I did all experimentation and P&C (Permutation and Combination) to change my fortunes. I shifted to Bangalore for a couple of months, changed my strategy a bit in GS and heavily focused this year on Psychology, the villain in 2018 attempt. As I had devoted a significant time in Psychology this year and had imbibed several aspects that had been rewarded in the past (based on Toppers' test papers and experiences), I was very confident of scoring 280+ in it. If I would have done so, based on my GS scores for the last 2 attempts and test series performance this year, I was sure of getting an interview call. But life had designed another unexpected and surprise or breaker for me. Mains Results out and I was also out of this examination. The day of result was 15th January, 2020. It's a festive day of Makar Sankranti on which people in our Eastern India (Mithilanchal, Bihar) eat delicacies like Chura (Flaked rice/ Poha), Dahi (Curd), Lai, Tilkut, Til Laddu etc. Before I could have engulfed these, the results on 14th midnight (1.34 am) had broken my dream of entering into civil services again (apart from enjoying the tasty delicacies of the day). Now I was very clear, it is high time to move on (from this relationship with CSE) and no more fall in the trap of "one more time" (as I had one attempt still left).

Thus, this has been my journey in UPSC CSE where I was able to reach all its stages but couldn't clear the final stage. Hence, one can term these years as years of failure or experiences that can shape me and my future in a better manner. Undoubtedly, I have amassed a lot of knowledge in Polity, Economics, International Affairs, Disaster Management, Psychology etc. But a question that comes at the same time is, "Whether there is any tangible or short term utility of this?" Whether I will be able to use this knowledge in non-civil servant life (though many question its utility even for civil servants)? Such questions are thought-provoking and difficult to answer many a times. But one thing is certain I would have no repents or regret of not preparing for an exam that I really wanted to crack and join as an IAS. After working on ground with government (IAS) for about 3 years, I really wanted to become so and touch upon the lives of millions of people especially vulnerable sections. But I could not.

Today, I have readily accepted the old adage "If you don't get what you desired or dreamt, Destiny has some other plans for you". Let's see what we have in destiny and how we move towards that thing is something very important and crucial. This is where its important for the individual to be confident, patient and lively to shape one's career, life and destiny in future. These get decided based on one's perception of the journey in such exams as Failure or beautiful and memorable experiences for lifetime. I am trying to imbibe the latter today in whatever I am doing. I will share some insights on this in Part II of this blog very soon.

Let's exhibit patience, perseverance and emotional intelligence in these hardship & uncertain times (especially for aspirants of 2020 CSE). It too shall pass by and we would shine again like a diamond very soon.               

UPSC Civil Services Mains 2018-19 Interview Transcript

Board: M Sathiyavathy Madam (IAS AGMUT 1982; Member since April’18; referred as CW below)

Date of interview: 15.02.2019 (Forenoon Session)

Background:                                                                                                                     

-       PMRDF (2014-17)

-       ACC Limited (2013-14)

-       Educational Qual: Masters in Development Practice, TISS Mumbai; B. Tech Mining Engineering, IIT ISM Dhanbad

-       4^th attempt- 2 mains 1* interview; Optional= Psychology

-       Hobbies- Mindfulness Exercises, Blogging, Public Speaking and Volunteering

-       Native Bihar

CW: While reading aloud my DAF says, I (me) come from Purnea, Bihar. Stops and asks Isn’t Purnea in Bengal?

I said no madam its in the eastern part of Bihar. Then she asks does it border Bengal. I reply in affirmative.

She completed reading aloud my DAF in a minute and asked following in the middle:

CW: What is PMRDF, is it still running, how is it different from aspirational district fellowship.

Me: Spoke few lines on this as felt that CW was interested in knowing about it (Seeing the salary, she asked who appointed it. Answered it in a line.)

CW: What is this Mindfulness exercise (my interest)?

Me: I defined it and added what I do under it.

CW: What was your contribution in PMRDF for three years at Sitamarhi?

Me: I mentioned my contribution in implementation of some government schemes

a. Swachh Bharat Mission- I spoke around 40secs on my contribution and Sitamarhi’s unique aspects in the campaign against open defecation.

She intervened and asked how many toilets did I make?

Me: district adm+community institutions constructed 1.2 lakh toilets app.

CW: Utilisation status(percentage)?

Me- 85% (I said so despite Sitamarhi being Bihar’s 1^st ODF district of Bihar as I felt that she wanted to listen from me the true ground realities and not facts and figures which she might be very aware of how they are compiled)

CW: Is water available in the toilets?

Me- Yes (district admin focus on mandatory water availability in toilet designs through water chambers made along with toilet superstructure)

CW: Isn’t 85% an exaggerated number?

Me- This figure of 85% is based on the district verification team and feedback from community leaders like mukhiya/sarpanch.

But in a field visit, I found a hamlet of 80 HHs where no family was using toilet. When I enquired, people said, “Sir kuch log aaye the and bana diye humse bina puche” (Few people came and built toilets for me without any consultation and talks). Discussion with them resulted in people coming with “Low cost no cost toilet model” which can be made without bricks, cement etc. and only materials like tar container are used. Later when I visited this hamlet after 2-3 months, I found people using toilets. So, as per me, water availability and community participation in toilet model and planning are crucial in toilet utilization (I spoke this as I had felt from Madam’s Q1 that she had a clear idea of the ground issues and manipulation of data)

CW: Ok now lets come to the second scheme

Me- Yes madam, it was Jeevika (Bihar State Rural Livelihood Mission). I described in few lines and a story about the role and importance of Jeevika SHG didis in the GPs.

CW intervened to ask, “What was your contribution in this”?

Me: My contribution was:

a.    Coordinating with banks to get SHG bank account linked; DM, DPM Jeevika and me working on this front

b.    Livelihood of didis- Lehthi is a local bangle made in Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur area. I tried to help the interested members in working on this aspect.

M1: Ok so you have been a Finance Minister, Model Youth Parliament. Tell me what is the present problem between FM and RBI. Don’t you feel its very bad which led to resignation of Governor of RBI? What is your opinion?

Me: Both FM and RBI are important institutions for Indian economy. RBI-FM problem is on few aspects like

a.    Reserves (Economic capital framework) transfer from RBI to government

b.    NBFC liquidity

c.     PCA framework

I mentioned the perspectives of both in a line on above aspects and summed up by saying that I feel that both of them need to collaborate for economy to grow in the long run.

M1: Ok. Tell me Basel3 is to be implemented in Indian banks but it requires great amounts of capital that I feel we don’t have. So, don’t you feel RBI did right by not transferring money to government? Would we be able to achieve Basel3?

Me: Yes madam, it’s a tough challenge for FM and RBI to capitalize indian banks as per basel3 norms. But RBI is already doing good in this aspect by keeping CAR norms at 9% despite Basel 3 demanding 8% only. So we are moving in right direction and in coming  years, FM and RBI will be able to capitalize the banks as per Basel 3 norms

M2: You left the fellowship to prepare for UPSC. Don’t you feel that it would have created a void in the district?

Me: Sorry Sir. But it was unfortunate on my front to leave the fellowship as it got over after 3 years. So I started preparation for UPSC.

M2: OK then let me rephrase my question. Don’t you feel there lies some inbuilt mechanism through which works are executed at the grassroots? How do you see your leaving the fellowship then in Sitamarhi?

Me: Yes Sir, there is an inbuilt mechanism like PRI i.e. mukhiya/ sarpanch who implement the schemes at grassroots with the district admin. Professional support through young fellows like PMRDF, Aspirational district, Swachh Bharat Prerak etc. has been also important in this regard. As far as Sitamarhi is concerned, Sir I have to go back and see its status.

M2- Have you heard about line departments?

Me- Yes Sir, there are diff line departments at district like PHED, DRDA, Education (SSA, RMSA), Health etc.

M2: Yes departments like agriculture and animal husbandry etc. So tell me have you heard about “Mera gaon, Mera Gaurav” scheme?

Me: Yes Sir, Its an scheme under which agricultural scientists adopt the farms of the farmers and help them in modern agricultural practices. I worked on this aspect not under this scheme during PMRDF when I approached Agricultural university of Samastipur and KVKs of Sitamarhi to bring them closer to farmers on Organic farming and gobar gas.

M2: How can this scheme be helpful in solving the issues of rural areas?

Me: Farm extension services, awareness of farmers etc. I found marginal farmers have 1-2 cattle which can be useful for increasing their incomes. Cow dung is considered generally as waste but it is wealth through organic farming and gobar gas. The outputs of it include cooking fuel, electricity. M2 intervened by asking there is something else also as a product. I said yes sir, it is manure which can be used in the fields. Thus, in such a manner, rural issues from low awareness to farm extension, cleanliness etc can be solved through this scheme.

M2: Have you heard about vermi-composting?

Me- Yes Sir, it is a type of composting in which earthworms eat and digest cow dung in 40-45 days to yield manure for the farms.

M2: Nitin Gadkari, Min for Road transport always focuses about cement roads construction. What is your take on cement roads v/s tar roads?

Me- Yes Sir, Cement roads are better than tar roads in few aspects like

a.    Durability- In flood prone areas where water stays on roads, cement roads are found to be more durable than tar roads.

b.    Aesthetic appeal- In Sitamarhi, I can remember people saying that “Humlogo ko ujli sadak chahiye kaali wali nahi” (we need white/grey roads and not black ones) {I wasn’t getting something else then so spoke this which people used to say in villages)

M2- Negatives of cement roads?

Me: Sorry sir I can’t recall.

M2: But you are from cement sector (because I had worked for 10 months in ACC cements, so he was asking me this)

Me: Sorry sir, I can’t recall. I would go back and read about it.

M2: something wear tear, can you recall?
Me- I reiterated the above…go back and read….

M2- Okay. No problem.

M3: You were coordinator of NGO named FFI. Tell us something about it.

Me: Fast Forward India was an NGO run in college by IIT ISM Dhanbad students. It comprised of 4 projects…… described them in brief.

M3: You said that you were working in Naxal district Sitamarhi. What do you feel is the solution to Naxalism?

Me: Sir the solution in my view lies in bridging the development and governance deficit in such areas. In Sitamarhi, after the district admin reached out to such areas and communities where LWE was prevalent, today it is no more a Naxal district. Other programmes like Sarkar apke dwaar of Bihar have been helpful in this regard. Other aspects like security through community policing may be needed.

M4: What is PMJDY and its performance in Bihar?

Me: PMJanDhanY is a financial inclusion scheme starting from opening of a bank a/c to Aadhar seeding to insurance schemes to Ru-Pay card. It is now being used also for availing the subsidy and govt schemes like Ujjawala, pension etc. As far as my knowledge on its performance in Bihar is concerned,  it has been good in southern bihar districts but not that good in north and west bihar districts (I had no data to answer this question and so gave this one liner which was not made a base to ask any counter question)

M4: Tell us some schemes related to women?

Me: In recent times, women have been kept in the centre of the beneficiaries of government schemes like Ujjwala where LPG gas is allotted in the name of women as the head of the HH. Other schemes related to women include ICDS (nutrition), Ujjawala (rehabilitation of victims of violence), Nirbhaya fund (safety, protection and empowerment), RMNCH (maternal health) etc.

M4: If you become FM of India, how would you do budgeting among different departments?

Me: As a FM my focus would be on some departments like-

a.    Education and Skill development- I would allot 6-7% of GDP on thsis sector as India is at a cusp of demographic dividend.

b.    Health- allot 5-6% GDP as the world is ageing and we are growing

c.     Women and elderly- Population increasing of elderly and will be almost 10% of country in coming decades. So we need to work on them from now only.

d.    Agriculture and allied activities- As about 50% workforce is still in agriculture, it is important to work on modernization of agriculture like horticulture etc.

M4: What about youth and agriculture?

Me: Yes Sir, youth and agriculture can be seen together as government has a scheme called ARYA under which it aims to attract and retain youth in agriculture. This will be helpful in creating agri entrepreneurship and startups. Youth alone needs to be focused through initiatives like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. I found them not to be very much functional in Sitamarhi, so they can be rejuvenated.

M4: How can happiness be a part of budgetary process and planning?

Me: Sir as per me, happiness comes to a person or community in this aspect when s/he is made a part of the budgetary or planning process. Under IPPE of MGNREGS, I found that people in Sitamrhi really felt happy and empowered when their views were considered in labour budget creation.

M4: Is there any country where happiness is a part of such budgetary process?

Me: Sir, Bhutan has Gross national happiness which includes happiness in national budgetary accounts. (He seemed not so happy and I felt he may be expecting some other country name). So I added that Scandinavian countries like Finland, Denmark, Norway also consider happiness in their budgetary process. (He seemed to be more satisfied and said Okay. Good.

CW: OK. Thank You. Your interview is over. I also said Thank You and left the interview.

Felt fine after I came out of the room. But also had this feeling that I wasn’t asked about so many things like GS, Psycho, state specific que etc. Now lets wait and watch for the result and marks. All the best to all.

Government role in regulating the regulators- Interference or Improvement

To regulate different sectors, we have different regulators like RBI (Reserve Bank of India) for banking. Though it is crucial to have some regulators having a bird eye view over the social, economic and political domains, what is more important that they are not manned by wrong men (women) under weak laws. These institutions are able to serve their charter in letter and spirit only if they remain independent and autonomous. Beginning from appointment to removal, the regulators are invariably dependent upon the government of the day. This calls for a look on the government’s role in regulating these super-regulators.  

Without delving deeper into into following questions, this blog tries to unravel few regulators across dimensions- economic, social, political.  

a. Why do we need regulators? 

Safeguard interests of markets, customers (citizens) and nation

b. Who appoints them, how (process) and degree of independence in their functioning and day to day affairs? 

It is crucial that the regulators are appointed by the government in the spirit of its meaningful establishment. The laws (charters) governing them need to be updated accordingly so that institutional inertia doesn’t cause emergence of issues in fast changing times. CBI (Central bureau of Investigation) may become a political tool easily due to absence of a well dedicated law governing it's functioning. Presently it is regulated under DSPE (Delhi Special Police Establishment) Act, which prevents CBI to be autonomous, independent and a premier investigation agency as needed for probing and solving complex cases like Arushi murder, corruption cases, Godmen acts etc. 

Sectors of regulatory ecosystem

A. Economic- RBI- The banking regulator was questioned on the way demonetization was done in November’16. RBI Governor was found to be answering difficult questions surrounding demonetization in Public Accounts Committee. Recent RBI report indicates its failure on some crucial parameters like targeting black money and corruption (more than 99% demonetized money back in the system), less cash economy etc. Undoubtedly, a positive development from the historic exercise is growth of digital payments. Digital platforms like Paytm, PhonePe etc. have become acceptable mechanisms in sending, receiving, and paying entities or individuals in this context. 

In the recent days, govt. has been pushing for a payments Regulator Board outside the purview of RBI despite its successful work in this domain and international examples where central bank regulates this mechanism. This also goes against Ratan Watal committee recommendations set up by government in this regard. Ideal way out could have been the tried and tested 3+3 composition (3 personnel each fielded by government and RBI) of a regulatory body within the premises of RBI similar to MPC. Also as RBI Deputy Governor Mr. Acharya pointed out that too much government interference in RBI can cause negative impacts on economy viz. unattractive investment destination, bad economics and good politics, market failure etc.

B. Social

a. Cinemas- CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) and FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) - Does Cinematograph Act 1952 needs updation for meaningful and constructive significance of the institution in Internet driven modern era? Or should CBFC be dismantled because censorship doesn’t resonate well in 21^st century democracy? These questions were addressed by Shyam Benegal committee sometime back. Another set of question which arise whether the role of CBFC be limited only to a certifying agency or also as a censor body? On the one hand, many feel that CBFC, as an institution is obsolete in present times. But some, on the other, feel that Indian social order demands a regulatory agency fulfilling the work of certifying body (U/A, A category of movies etc.)

Another organisation in this aspect is FTII. It was in controversy a couple of years ago due to the persons appointed like Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman. Questions were raised as in whether the appointment served the government by fielding its so-called “their men” or institutional requirement. As compared to persons like Shyam Benegal and Girish Karnad who headed it, personal integrity of recent chairmen like Mr. Chauhan and Kher has been questioned off late. This casts a shadow on organisational and institutional integrity and its efficient functioning. Saffronising the institute is what students feel has been done by government while appointing the heads of institute.  

b. Education- No country can dream to be a superpower unless its citizens are skilled, educated and employed. India needs such citizens more than any other country in the world now as it is at the cusp of a demographic dividend. It may reap its benefits (dividend) or miss the one-time opportunity (disaster). This will be decided based on several factors including government’s policies in education especially higher education like medical and engineering colleges, centrally and state funded universities etc. 

Revamping MCI (Medical Council of India) by establishing NMC (National Medical Commission) is the need of the hour. It has been highlighted by several committees because of the failure of MCI in regulating medical education of the nation. Issues in medical education wherein MCI couldn’t deliver as promised in MCI Act include exorbitant capitation fees, increased focus on management quota seats for the affluent at the cost of poor but talented students. Moreover, MCI failure in permitting establishment and expansion of medical colleges caused a non-commensurate increase in seats vis-à-vis aspirants and population. This led to creation of limited (below par in quality and quantity) health cadre (As compared to WHO norms of 1 doctor per 1000 population, Bihar has one doctor for every 28000 population) especially for rural areas etc. NMC is a much needed move by government to overhaul this much needed sector. Bridge courses to mainstream AYUSH with allopathy can be crucial in reforming the above pathetic ground reality through barefoot health practitioners.

Similarly, UGC (University Grants Commission) has been replaced by HECI (Higher Education Commission of India) as a key reform in higher education. It proposes separation of its academic and financial powers. The former will be undertaken by the new body named HECI and the latter has been entrusted to the MHRD (Human Resources Development Ministry), which has been criticized by several academicians and policy experts. Though several positive measures have been included in the HECI bill to replace UGC, concerns related to its composition (less teachers), removal on moral turpitude, micromanagement in the garb of autonomy, corporatization of education sector, restricting role of states in educational matters can’t be set aside.

Thus, in education sector, it is important to ensure that regulators like UGC and MCI are restructured in a manner that will ensure strengthening of their autonomy without any scope for patronage politics and political interference.

C. Political- Actions of Home Ministry (MHA) against civil society organizations (NGOs) like Greenpeace and rights based groups like Amnesty International under FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) need deep introspection. On the one hand, government has accused these groups for violating FCRA while accepting foreign donations. Eg Greenpeace licence was cancelled because it was accused of manipulating views of citizens against mining operations. On the other, these groups blame the government for misusing FCRA as a tool of repression and a weapon for silencing dissent. Some analysts have pointed at the non-conformity of FCRA with international laws and principles. For example India is a signatory to ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) which promotes and guarantees the right to freedom of association, also mentioned in Indian Fundamental Rights. But these actions under the garb of FCRA seem to be violating both of the above. Because of this India’s apex human rights watchdog, NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) has also issued a notice to MHA.

FCRA is an intimidating law crafted during emergency of 1976 to prohibit MPs, parties etc. from accepting foreign contributions. Thus, the genesis of the draconian FCRA lies in anti-democratic principles and ideals. What worries citizens and experts is the exhibition of double standards by political parties (earlier UPA and now NDA) in usage of FCRA. They received foreign funds from Vedanta and supported each other in the form of a mutual cooperative set-up (none protesting benefits received by the other party and infact both were united in opposing a Delhi HC order against them in SC) despite FCRA doesn’t permit such foreign donations. Though none can debate the need for eliminating foreign interference (sovereignty) in the nation’s social and economic policies, FCRA should not be used in ambiguous (FCRA actions against these groups in the garb of public interest), arbitrary and discretionary manner. 

A question thus arises whether FCRA should be repealed? Of course not because regulation of NGO funding is a significant and crucial aspect especially in a country where more than 30 lakh NGOs exist. However, curbing the voices in the civil society by way of a colourable legislation is unacceptable and draconian. The way forward is NITI Aayog’s DARPAN portal which is registering the NGOs for their accountable and transparent functioning and funding.               

  

Hence, it is important that these regulatory bodies are provided autonomy and independence. If they are controlled and regulated by government in such a way that the “interference element” looms high, India may gain less and lose more in long run. There is a need for the government (executive) to exercise social, economic, political, and moral restraint while dealing with appointment of regulators. This is because parties come and go, their appointees too disappear with time but the ideals, principles and fundamentals of the institutions regulating crucial sectors need to be preserved and safeguarded at any cost. The standards and benchmarks set up by them need to be reviewed and up-scaled so that they reach higher echelons and henceforth India is successful in attaining the position it deserves in the global order. 

Full form of O.K.- An attempt to look at a deeper and bigger picture

O.K. abbreviated as?

A couple of days back, I took an auto from the railway station while traveling to my hometown from Delhi. One amongst the 10 fellow passengers asked me suddenly, “Bhaiya aap padhte ho? Kaha? Delhi me? {Do you read? Where? In Delhi?} (.) I replied in affirmative to all his questions with one big Yes. His next question became a bouncer, when he asked acha bataye O.K. ka full form kya hota hain? I was completely bowled out and hence ducked at the bouncer delivery. He said O.K. means One Kiss. He answered his question but left an imprint in my minds. It was why do rural India (Bharat) asks such questions from urban India (INDIA). Why do rural residents feel that it’s important to check the knowledge level of urban residents? Such questions (innovative for former and stupid for latter) are very common for me since my childhood days. When I used to go to my native village from my home, which is situated in a small town, I had to encounter such a nature of questions. Example- Recite Table of 19, spell difficult words, solve maths problems etc. If I used to succeed in this difficult (IITJEE/UPSC level) exam, my knowledge and capabilities in Hindi and Sanksrit used to be tested by them. This is so because rural India feels urbanites don’t know these subjects nicely as compared to English. But I feel behind all these question & answer sessions (Q&A), there is something which needs a deep introspection at societal or psychological or political levels.

The rural vs urban debate has always gained media attention. In India, the countryside definition has been different from that of abroad. We have panchayats, kasbas and hamlets which can be said to be countryside from outsiders’ perspectives and standards. But what is really interesting and also sad, at the same time, is the gulf between these two. In all aspects viz. how do they live, eat, dwell, work, save, earn, consume, enjoy, study etc., one can easily gauge the qualitative and quantitative differences between rural and urban residents. Debates and differences can (and in fact have) lead (led) to dissent in this context due to the widening of the gulf between the two. Is this dissent that manifests in the form of such innovative questions asked from urbanites? Is this dissent going to be resolved through these Q&A sessions or become deeper in due course of time? Based on my experiences, I feel the dissent has not reduced but merely changing its forms from recitation of tables to tongue twisters to O.K. full form.

Any nation cannot prosper unless rural and urban citizens collaborate at social, economic, political levels. This is very true for India where 68% population dwells in the rural areas (Census 2011). In addition, it becomes important in Indian context as we are adding urban population very fast since a couple of decades. In coming two decades, we will add as many urban people as there are now in India (around 300 million). In such a scenario, it is crucial for India to resolve the differences between the two communities and strive forward to attain India of Gandhi’s dreams. How would this happen and who would facilitate it?

RURBAN mission has been an attempt of government to create urban amenities in rural clusters. This will preserve the rural soul even in an urban ecosystem of such rural clusters. It can be useful in weeding out the differences and doubts in the minds of rural dwellers regarding urbanites. The success of the mission rests on adoption of its spirit and motto. Urban-Rural gap can be decreased only when all the stakeholders viz. rural and urban community, governments and civil society, takes such attempts.

A collaborative and combined effort and initiative is the need of the hour to propel India’s growth and development. Its growth has been termed as “unique”, “epic” and “unbelievable” in the recent years especially after Global Economic Recession. But, now it needs a label which would safeguard the prosperity of its citizens-both rural (mostly missing in present development model) and urban. Such a nature of development will be sustainable and inclusive in real sense. It would demand efforts from the communities (both rural and urban), be it removal of prejudices and stereotypes or shaking hands to harness the best of the available resources with the respective societies. This spirit is ingrained in our cultural system and practices which includes “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”. If we consider the whole world as one, can’t urban community that is more prosperous encompass the rural sector and create opportunities for mainstreaming and developing the latter? Rural India also would need to adopt changes to take the much needed leap to create “One India, One nation, One people”. This is possible even while appreciating India’s diversity because it is not a forced attempt but consensual.

A consensus building exercise will set the foundations for sustainable and resilient India with a feeling of commonality and fraternity. This “New India” will not witness rural-urban Q&A sessions to unravel each other’s deficits. On the contrary, it will cultivate habits amongst each other for a common objective to transform the status quo. In this context, Innovation, skill development and entrepreneurship will hold the key in the emerging global and national orders. Bottom up participatory planning, inculcation and practice of human values along with psychological elements like amelioration of prejudice will be the over-arching framework to develop collaboration and not breed dissent between Bharat and India. Then only it will be Oll Korrect or Olla Kalla (Greek meaning All Correct), most likely full form of O.K.

2nd himalayan trek- Winter Kuari Pass

Thanks TTH for posting this piece of article I wrote a few weeks back. Everyone, please comment how did you like this experience sharing blog. Before I am back with a full fledged blog, you can enjoy my older blogs and this recent one. Thanks.


Winter Kuari Pass Trek

The winters have arrived, are we ready?

As soon as the winters knock our doors, the preparations for tackling dry cold weather have already begun. Vaseline or cold creams, geyser or induction rod, lukewarm drinking water replacing refrigerated water, Heater replacing cooling AC, blankets but most importantly laziness especially in waking up early morning are some of the common scenes of this time of the year. More recently, winters have been symbolised with smog of Delhi.

Winters are the only season that traverses from one year to next (November-February) and hence welcomes new year on our behalf. Temperatures have started falling and many a places have even witnessed snowfall. Blankets have started to be tested and newer ones replacing the older. Coffee and Tea are being served to all helping people to cope with the chilly winters. Sunshine is patiently awaited to warm the bodies. Christmas is not very far neither drafting the New Year resolutions.

All these events occur in response of the change in the temperature and pressure conditions of the earth. Humans, the so-called most intelligent species (self-acclaimed) have learnt ways to beat the natural conditions of the season, by taking help of artificial devices and items as described above. The sages in ancient times unlike the modern globalised humans tackled the cold and chilling winters naturally and made their bodies sturdier and stronger. One may not ask the contemporary to act as the sages but aren't we making our bodies and minds weaker by adopting more and more such man-made products? The answer to this but obvious question rests with us, but lets search it with honesty and peace of mind.

Soon after winters, we have a beautiful and colourful spring season. Flowers blossom, crops are reaped and harvest festivals are celebrated throughout the country. I remember Shelley's lines from the poem "Ode to the west wind" which goes like this " If winter comes, can spring be far behind". He gave geographical and philosophical angles when he wrote the above. The latter signified that difficult times (failure) are followed with good ones (success). So, are humans ready for failures when they are at the peak of their successes? Even when we know its indispensable and coming, we try to delay this ultimate truth. Just because everyone loves success and hates failure. Despite the fact that failures teach us more and makes us more strong and capable and in fact make us a better human being. We only love success as it keeps failure off ward and gives us temporary and ephemeral happiness. Long lasting and meaningful happiness is achieved only when we learn our mistakes during failures and correct them in future. It comes when we help people who are in real need for true and caring humans and not robotic machine type homo-sapiens (as we are becoming day by day).

In the present times, in big cities and metros like Delhi, you can see people feeding dogs with milk, biscuits etc.; pigeons with daana; cows with chapati etc. But when humans ask for real help explicitly or implicitly like a lady giving her phone and requesting one to dial a number; an old lady with heavy bags finding it difficult to walk uphill the road, our eyes and ears seem to be not working at all. Have we really remained social animals or just pretend to be so?

Times have changed as seasons change every now and then, haven't we too changed simultaneously? Is this change something Darwin would call "Evolution", "adaptation", "survival of fittest", "struggle for existence" etc. ? Or there lies no justification for humans to be so selfish and mean in the real world.

Seasons would come and go, humans too being mortal would perish but our actions and deeds would stay for times immemorial and more importantly would make humans better species and the planet a better place to dwell upon. The test lying infront of us this winter would be a difficult one if we are serious, otherwise its just a test. Are we ready?

Let's Do It before its too late-"She and We"

One of the best and greatest gifts of the Almighty (or Science) is Mother Earth, which supports life and thus humans. Among these “Homo Sapiens”, the best, superb and sweetest inhabitant on this planet is “Mother” (Maa/Mamma/Mummy/Mom/Maate etc.)

She is something who can’t be defined or explained in petty words or posts (social media) or blogs (like this). She can be just felt-physically, emotionally, psychologically etc. She can make a weeping and crying infant burst into smiles and laughter by just hugging her/him. She can translate the fears and worries of a teenager to aspirations of an adolescent. She can read your face and mind even in the darkest of the rooms. She can fight against anyone including the mightiest person (creature) of this world. 

She is not among the Seven Wonders of the World because this wonderful wonder can’t be categorized in any of the categories- she is category-less. But she can’t see you leave her. She can’t face the trauma of be separated from her other half (husband-unlike Baghban). She can’t believe her son/daughter considering her a liability, when the former is a so-called matured being and the latter has developed wrinkles (aging). She can’t see her grown-up child crying even when the latter has made her cry innumerable times. She can’t imagine a life without her soul i.e. child. 

If her existence and happiness is so much dependent on “us”, don’t you think it’s important to analyze the status quo in terms of “our” response to this very dependency of “them”? Before we start analyzing this with our 21^st century fast and furious brains, one needs to understand the very basic thing, but mostly go unnoticed; that “THEY” aren’t dependent on “US” but it is “WE” who need “THEM”. It is “we” who were dependent on “them” during our childhood for A to Z things of our needs- eating, excreting, sleeping, laughing etc. But something happened over a period of time, perhaps starting with our “teen age” that started changing things in this relationship. An extraordinary or life-changing event or entry of “someone special” during our “adulthood” is assumed to be topping the list of the causal factors behind this abrupt change in “our” behaviour and attitude towards “them”.

The blog doesn’t attempt at answering the questions- What/Who is right and What/Who is wrong? But is a sincere attempt to understand and figure out how and why change (if it is)? For whom this change and at whose cost, deserves search and pursuit on our part (WE) as it is us who have the prime responsibility of being with “them”.

Yesterday when I wished Maa a happy mother’s day, she was so happy that I could imagine and feel her bright and glowing face even on the mobile. She then told me the messages and news coming on news, papers and ads. But till my call, it was just like a message/ad of a commercial company selling its product and not an emotionally toned feeling of the son wishing his mother a very sweet and happy mother’s day. After a couple of minutes, I had to disconnect the call, as I was in office and was too busy and stuck in a work, and promised to talk in night. She, as always, an epitome of understanding, satisfaction and patience, waited for my call till 10:30 PM, after which she called to inquire whether I had my dinner and all (Though she asks me daily about what did I eat, I hardly inquire about the same). But as I was busy talking to someone for an important work, I had to make her wait for around half an hour and see her 6 missed calls. This is bad of me or bad of her, is open to understanding and discussion, but one thing that comes out of it, is PERSONAL v/s PROFESSIONAL (WORK) life and its challenges- Finding and exploring the middle path (Buddha). This is the first challenge, lesson and learning for all of us-sons and daughters of 21st century.

When you needed her the most for all daily (in fact hourly) needs of yours, she was always there before you could express the need. That time you were Mr. Dependent and she, the independent and loving, caring mother supported you without any demand in return explicitly but implicitly hoped to see you becoming Independent and standing on your own feet. But this implicit desire and hope of hers was shattered when you became Mr. Independent, a 25 year working and employed son. How did this happen and was it all of a sudden event or a gradual process? But is it fine or "khool"? These Q's are open to introspection for our own sharp and fast minds. This is the second realization, challenge (and may be learning) for all of us-sons and daughters.

Last, but not the least, when people say that Indian society and culture is changing, its good that we are not a stagnant society but one which updates itself to be aligned with the fast and changing world. But when in the name of this change, we start ignoring our parents by either downgrading them or eliminating them as such from our priority list of people. Prioritization helps you to rank the things to be done and thus making your lives planned and clear. But it involves only those events which can be ranked, people and things that are indispensable for your existence and living like parents, air, water, food etc. are beyond these strategies of life. The more corporate, capitalistic and individualistic world we are being pushed to, the more we are moving away from the happy and sweet memories (her-ours), duties and rights of "US". Thus, the third and last challenge and realization for all of us-wonderful kids of globalized village, is that everything is not subject to change, a few things are unchangeable and deserve permanence- Mother-Child Relation. 

It is "WE" who initiated this, and it will be "WE" who would ensure the above.

This wonderful gift of God, can't be thanked and wished on a single day like Mother's Day, but needs to be thanked everyday (365*24*7) for her sacrifices, efforts and so many things, by loving her, being with her and standing with her. Lets work and strive hard to be the ones who don't need the above challenges, realization and learning as they have already understood and applied them in life for times to come. Its so difficult to write on such a topic and a person like Maa, that I don't know what I wrote above, but a sincere request and prayer of mine to God, is that please give me enough wisdom to feel tomorrow, the way I felt yesterday and feel today.