Mumbai attacks-where to go from here???

26 Nov2008: 9:58 pm

The buisness had just begun and it was crispily discussed alongwith each sip of alchohol that drenched the throats in the porches of all the star hotels in Mumbai. It was party mood in the ballrooms and the night showed signs of getting increasingly romantic with each minute passing by. Suddenly there was smoke and chaos and it hardly took time to realise that mumbai was under terrorist attack.

Though a fellow mumbaikar is accustomed to the sporadic events that test his nerves, this attack was a different one. It had directly challenged the law establishment entitled to protect citizens. This time not only were the middle class citizens attacked but a clear attack was carried out against the places so as to cause maximum casualty to foreigners and directly challenge the economic might of India by carrying out attack on its economic capital.

With 59 hours of long fought out battle, 183 civilian deaths including 20 casualties of security forces, the attacks clearly brought out a series of question that we need to address at the earliest. Was it a intelligence failure or a systemic failure? Are our forces equipped to fight this new battle? How long we are going to politicise even the basic issue of citizen security ? Have we failed to build up into ourselves the feeling of one nation or is this going to be a value that is to be displayed only when war like situation emerges? Can we think over national interest by placing our regional interests into background? Can we learn how to cherish our martyrs- real heroes?

The questions that clutter around one's mind may be many but it is necessary to find solutions to every question that we pose to ourselves. We as individual citizens have to remember that now our time has come - not to pose questions and wait for someone to act but to make it a point to act whenever and wherever situation demands.

I think the situation has to be improved from the base of the pyramid that is primary education. Contribute maximum energy to build up a healthy nation that has the ability to think over the issues concerning itself and it enjoys its right to vote pragmatically. It is from here that we can develop a healthy society. Short term actions have to be to reform the police to meet challenges of 21st century and active civil society participation to act as pressure group over the state apparatus.

Difficult times always bring out the best from an individual and also from the society. We have to take this event as an opportunity to build India into a nation that shall have the power to fulfill the dream of 1 billion people to live a respectful life, that has the ability to satisfy hunger of more than 500 million people and that has the ability to empower its every citizen with equal amount of say to decide his future irrespective of his economic and social condition.

Had this to happen then can only the souls of our brave martyrs can rest in peace and the likes of karkares, Ashok Kamtes can delightfully sing
" Aey Watan , Aey watan humko teri kasam,
teri rahoon mein jaan tak loota jayenge,
Jab uthegi shahiddo ki arthi tum rona nahi
magar jab hogi swantrata ki manaii hume bholna nahi......"

My UPSC Mains

This was his first mains of Civil Services exam conducted by UPSC every year. He was standing outside his exam hall. There were still 10 minutes to pass by so as the security to allow him to enter the hall.His mind went into reminiscence and he still clearly figured out how he had decided to pursue his life mission after a serious confrontation between his heart and his brain. Ultimately the decision taken by his heart prevailed and he quit a good paying job in a MNC and jumped into the preparations for this exam. It was his own decision and it was only he who had to work hard during these exam days to make his dream happen. He boosted himself and entered the exam hall.

All throughout, the exam went off extremely well only with the exception of geography paper. He was extremely satisfied by his performance. Now he will eagerly wait for the results which would be declared in March. By that time he has to start preparations for interview and at the same time he has to remain prepared to tackle next year prelims.

It was really an absorbing experience and he really enjoyed the process all throughout his preparation.

Prelims Result

Hi All,

I have cleared civil services prelims exam 2008. This being my first (and last attempt) is really special. So now With full throttling I am gearing up for next stage in October i.e Mains exam.
Still a long way to go, but I feel confident to go through it too.

I think I wont be able to blog till my Mains exam ends, so till then ......"SAYONARA"

Coping with the Ghost...................

It has been almost two and a half months since my last post. All these days I was busy with prelims preparations of civil services exam.This is my first attempt at civils. Ever since I thought of preparation for this exam, one thing that was constantly making its presence either through friends, seniors or teachers was that this exam is a really a hard nut to crack.

All through my preparation for last 10 months or so I had really been waiting to have an encounter with this monster. Atlast the moment arrived on 18th May. With full prepararation( i thought so...!) I went at the exam center and was extrememly happy to spot some beautiful faces around. Only a moment had passed by, that I came to know those heart crackers were appearing for JNU exam. For a moment I thought of droping attempt at civils and attempting JNU exam but soon realised that I didnt possess admit card. To my surprise I found those charming faces looking at me...:) , but with a sympathetic look. And that too sympathy not for the person but for the exam that we were to appear for.

Leaving the beauties outside the centre I made my way towards my classroom. Bell rang. Question papers were distributed but with different versions, to stop diferent monks from exhibiting there copy skills. I was given Version A. 15 minutes passed by. And it was then that my supervisor realised that he has given me by mistake version A instead of version D alloted to my roll number. Now I had to erase all the enteries in my answer sheet and make way for new version. Remaining time went smoothly and I thanked god that I was able to complete my paper. NExt GS paper also went well.

This encounter with the monster really requires one to be prepared well both on intellectual as well as emotional quotient. All these days of preparation of exam and unending GS have been really testing. The days of preparation of 10-11 hrs, unlocking the treasure of current affairs, mugging up that factual data, has been really straining but a handsome experience.

I was always prepared to fight out and always believed that i could. Now that my prelims exam has went well, I am hoping for a positive result. Results shall be out in first week of August and my mains exam is from 17th October. So the fight is yet not over, I have to prepare myself to fight this monster out at the next level.

So here it begins again.....................................................

The clock is ticking..............................

Never found myself so attuned to the time, than what I am experiencing these days. I think that I have entered into the last lap of my preparations for civil service prelims. It will be adventurous to call anything "last", as preparations never end for this exam. These days I am trying really hard to strict to my schedule..this being my first attempt.

With lots of energy n hopes put in, this has become a really serious buisness!! The will to succeed and the urge to perform has kept me on my toes. I would have never imagined during my engineering days that I can slog hard for such a long time.

Very few defining moments in our life really shape our destiny and that's what I am believing in. I know this is going to test my determination, but I always feel that I will succeed. With just over 45 days to go, the "RACE" has begun for sure.

Civils Prelims 2008

With the notification out n forms filled up, its time to pull on the socks. With over six months of preparation, the quest to launch myself is just getting deeper and deeper. The all important phase in civils the prelims is on 18th may and now hardly four months are remaining. Just cant pen down my feelings at this point of time, its becoming easy to taste but difficult to express.

I need all now is concerted efforts towards my goal.