Row over UPSC CSAT

Source: India Today

An unnecessary row has broken out over CSAT. A few pointers on what I feel about it:

a) It was not introduced in 2011 in haste, rather since 2001 recommendations had been made to overhaul the system to provide level field for all backgrounds' candidates. UPSC started with overhauling Prelim in 2011, then Main in 2013. Yes what UPSC should have done is- since 2008 or so, it should have announced that from 2011 a new pattern will b introduced & given syllabus in advance- then people would have had headstart of 2 or 3 years. Then 'extra attempt' for 'sufferers' who gave attempt in 2011 could have been avoided.

b) Hindi vs Eng: Most Hindi students coming on TV say 'Eng is not problem'. Translation is problem coz software is used for this. This is unfortunate- for sch a prestigious exam couldn't UPSC ensure a team of translators to provide proper translation of big English Comprehension passages? OK now that they know, translation needs to made correct. So I don't know who advised the govt to not include easiest 8 qns of paper- some proper advise to reprint Hindi translation even for Aug 24 would have helped. Coz even now this basic thing's not been addressed.

R: Rigging in Indian Elections 2014

Rigging in elections means using fraudulent practices during voting process to garner votes by any party. This has been sadly seen amply in Odisha's elections this time. Even in several other states of India also this has been seen, which puts a big question mark on the 'free and fair conduct of elections' in the world's largest democracy. And we are still half way to go for the end of elections.

A tv media channel has captured how on April 17, a group of men entered a polling booth in Aul Assembly Constituency of Kendrapara district of Odisha and forced people to cast the vote as per their order or simply they took over voting. This is a shameful activity and culprits must be nabbed and jailed immediately. To whichever political party they belong, the public should ask for answers and should never vote any party which spreads such hooliganism. Link is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cPhW6xL2Lw&feature=youtu.be

Also recent violence in Kendrapara over a four-wheeler having many EVMs and parked outside a BDO's house was terrible. A person died and many others are seriously injured. Transferring EVMs to strong-rooms has also been done without police security, casting wide doubts over their exposure to tampering. 

#ConditionSeriousHai :: The Case of the Bespactacled *MBA* & IAS Aspirant

Image Source

A lady who had passed from the  institute so *daring*!

Trained under 'Chotiwaaley Baba', she was an *MBA* high-flying!

There she got the gold medal of the topper,

And now wants to become a *daring* IAS officer!

White skin color like a frozen rose,

Thorny in her every encounter and approach!

So rude and never a smile,
Even if many smiled at her a couple of times!

With care she is left and picked up daily,

A frigid air ; Madam-Know-It-All types!

Initially guys drooled over her,

Yet arrogance cost her all her fans!

BOOK REVIEW: The Honest Always Stand Alone – C G Somiah

Distinguished IAS Officer of 1953 batch, CG Somiah, who retired as CAG of India in 1996, has penned his autobiography in the form of the book ‘The Honest Always Stand Alone’. The title reveals a lot and matches my personal take in life too. That is why from Insights’ link on ‘Must-read books of Indian bureaucrats’, I picked this one (apart from a few others). Mainly portraying his career’s illustrious and most fulfilling achievements, this book has brilliant personal anecdotes and how being honest and upright, he has stood up to every challenge faced by him.

Everyone loves a Winner!

Everyone loves a winner. Looking at the rear view mirror of life, I myself find that I was the cynosure of all eyes when I came joint first in Xth CBSE Board Exams in Odisha (2001) and also when I was Pepsi Change the Game Contest winner and got to witness India's historic Cricket World Cup win (2011) from the stadiums starting from Dhaka to history creation at Mumbai!
     

Source: Amrita Sabat's Samsung Wave2 Phone!

Tirade of a Bureaucrat

“As you say Boss,

I will do,

This today,

Is my promise to you.”

So saying another officer,

Lived his service years,

Either became dishonest,

Or did nothing in fear.

No – this was not always so,

Lofty was the goal,

Brighter the rainbow,

At the start of his sojourn.

Humble roots,

Decent education,

Nothing appealed more than,

Serving the nation.

Maybe a job too,

Plush one at that,

But the heart’s clarion call,

Could no longer be held back.

Single-minded devotion,

Back-breaking efforts,

Support of parents, pals, teachers,

Optimism, Sacrifice, Sweat.

Clearing the toughest exam,

Of his life,

Dreams of nation-building,

Noble and burning bright.

But the wretched system,

Sucked him in,

His initial zeal and ideals,

Shot down or hushed up.

Either his seniors or ministers,

Or an unfortunate mix of both,

Broke him with brazen threats,

After luring him with money/perks.

“Don’t jeopardize your career,

Shut up and sit,

For your sake and mine,

Your better be complicit”.

And his head hung in shame;

Mother India cried hoarse –

“Another energetic young man,

Has belied all my hopes!”

“As you say Boss,

I will do,

This today,

Is my promise to you”.

So saying this officer,

Lived the rest of his service years,

Similar to scores of others,

Who either embrace corruption,

Or suffer silently, suppressed.

That’s why protect young men and women,

Who do right and bow down to none,

May Goddess Durga’s Shakti descend,

On every officer of our land.