Civil Services: A philosophical profession

Late in the evening last Friday, the much-awaited results of the Civil Services were declared. As I watched the interview of the All-India second ranker, Anu Kumari today, her idealism, her words and mannerisms seemed to resonate deeply. This took me back twenty-seven years, the fateful evening when the results to the civil services were announced. Not quite the age of the mobile or internet, I had to take an auto rickshaw, late in the evening to go to the UPSC building, where the results were stuck on the notice board. It was one prolonged moment of jubilation, and the fact that one had cleared the exam took some time to really sink in.

With every passing year, I feel this top competitive exam of the country is indeed penetrating beyond the socially and economically elite class to mine out refreshing talent and some beautifully diverse minds. This must be quite a challenge, given the magnitude and sheer volume of the people across diverse subjects that actually appear for this. Reports say that a whopping "9,57,590 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 4,56,625 candidates actually appeared. 13,366 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (Mains) examination held in October-November 2017. Of them, 2,568 candidates qualified for the Personality Test conducted in February-April 2018".

Over the years, I have been amazed at the mind-boggling nature of challenges that we grapple with, in this premier civil service of the country. With all its ups and downs, its challenges and breakthroughs, I can confidently say that there has never been a dull moment. I have never had the time to twiddle my thumbs or yawn on any of my assignments. For instance, I recall returning on a sweltering, hot afternoon after visiting polling booths across the villages of Jam Khambaliya sub-divisiont. Hardly had one settled on the chair that a crowd of women wanted to meet me, with empty pots demanding hand pump repairs and the supply of water. In most instances, one was able to hear them out and even find a solution that worked. This meant fixing some lethargy in the system, just explaining to the team and asking them to help resolve the issue, or in rare instances, taking disciplinary action against erring staff! In most instances, thankfully, the complainants went back satisfied with the efforts and action. You could now count on them to support the various initiatives and schemes of Government. Often, a glass of water offered to them and a patient hearing did more magic than one could have imagined.

Some of these visitors have turned out to be poets, artists, and scholars, amazing human beings who have often given so much of joy and delight, even in those scorching afternoons. I am, at once, reminded of a great savant, Triambakbhai Mankodi of JamKhambalia, who could have well been the Vice-Chancellor of any top University of the country. A deeply learned and devout soul, his personal library had over three thousand books in more that fifteen languages, that he actually knew!

I was discussing these ideas with a senior colleague, whom I really respect for the width, breadth and depth of knowledge he possesses. His views on this dream career and the diverse opportunities it offered also reverberated with these thoughts. The civil service is able to mine some of the best minds from diverse fields, backgrounds, geographies and cultures. This lends a great diversity of views, opinions, approaches and perspectives on any issue. Over the years, I have also come to respect the lifelong need to learn, comfortably glide across various languages, to straddle various sectors, conflicts, and lens that this job requires us to cultivate. This can keep the mind nimble and sensitive. Occasionally, cynicism and frustration does creep in stealthily! At such moments, we ought to spring back with our resilience. That is when our varied interests in literature, art, sports, math or science also keep us on track and rejuvenated. These hobbies and interests often help us retain our bonhomie and idealism, against various odds and trials.

Lets hope these new entrants to the civil service bring even more ideas, idealism, and creativity, along with hard nosed commitment for facts and evidence. Lets hope their humane approach helps them, as they climb the scaffolding for carrying out the enormous the work in progress for building our great Nation, Bharat.

The author is a Harvard-educated civil servant & writer, and has worked in the education sector
jayanti.ravi.dna@gmail.com