UPSC Central Armed Police Force Assistant Commandant Interview

On January 10th, 2017 I had my UPSC CAPF AC Interview. 

I reported at 9.00 am at UPSC, Dholpur House, Delhi. After documentation check I was told that I will be interviewed by Prof. H.C. Gupta Board (Honorable Member of UPSC). With restlessness increasing my eyes saw the poem of Rabindranath Tagore hung on the wall of UPSC candidates waiting room. "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high", I breath a sigh of relief. Later around 12.25 p.m. my turn came and I was escorted by an official to the interview room.

I pushed the door and asked permission to come in. Prof. H.C.Gupta sir asked me come in and said sit down. I greeted Prof. H.C.Gupta sir, then the lady member and then the other two members.

Chairman: Shrikant you are from Buddha Institute, do you know what are the teachings of Buddha?

Me: Sir, Buddha gave the four Arya Satya for the cessation of suffering and told theories of Pratityasamutpada, Kshanikvad, Annatmavad. 

Chairman: Does Gorakhpur has to do anything with Buddha?

Me: Sir, I cannot recall but I don't think it has to do anything.

Chairman: Then why your college is named after Buddha?

Me: Sir, may be the trustee of my college likes Buddha.

Chairman: You have read Mechanical Engineering, what in Mechanical Engineering you are comfortable with?

Me: Sir, since my Civil Services optional is Philosophy and I am reading same since past 3 years I can only recall my final year project and 3-4 subjects which I know satisfactorily.

Chairman passed it to the lady member (M1)

M1: Shrikant can you tell me the working of turbine?

Me: Ma'am, turbine is the machine which generates electrical energy by the help of water, converting potential energy to kinetic energy.

M1: Explain more.

Me: I am not very much comfortable with the technical part ma'am as it has been a long time.

M1: Okay, then lets discuss the things in which you are comfortable. Shrikant, you are from Allahabad tell me why Ganga is unclean.

Me: Ma'am what I have seen living in Allahabad that despite of the efforts of sewage treatment and other measures of law enforcement. There is a lot of mushrooming of slums around the bank of river Ganga. These slums transmit water from hidden channels to Ganga and this water remains untreated finally leading to pollution. There has been quite a lot of discharge in the Ganga of polluting material in the name of religion as well. Ganga looses its pristine nature when it enters the industrial cities like Kanpur, which has leather industry.

M1: Does Kanpur still have leather industry?

Me: Ma'am I am not sure but still there are some undocumented leather small scale industry.

M1: Are you making a guess or are you sure?

Me: Ma'am I am not sure.

M1: Okay. Tell me what the government is doing and what should be done?

Me: Ma'am the government is bringing schemes like Namami Ganga Project. But what I think is that a lot of perception change is required for cleaning Ganga. A similar problem arose in London hundred years back but today after perception change there we can see the difference.

Member 2 interrupts.

M2: Which river London has?

Me: Thames.

M2: Under which ministry Ganga comes?

Me: Water Resources Ministry.

M2: Who is the Minister?

Me: Madam Uma Bharti.

M2: Who is the Army chief?

Me: Mr. Bipin Rawat.

M2: What? Mr.?

Me: Sorry Sir. General Bipin Rawat Sir.

M2: What is your opinion regarding reservations?

Me: Sir I think that some kind of positive discrimination is necessary. There is a lot of difference still existing in the hinterland. 

M2: What should be done, do you think it is worth it?

Me: Sir, In my village a fellow cleared State Civil Services Exam and then he earned the reputation he deserved. I am an ardent supporter of reservation. Yes, there are certain problem. For which we can remove the creamy layer and give reservation to categories on the basis of socio-economic indicator but we must not remove it. 

M2: Oh, Just say capability building is to be done.

Me: Yes Sir, this has to be done.

Member 1, Lady, interrupted.

M1: Shrikant what you Blog about?   

Me: Ma'am I blog about general life experiences worth remembering.

M1: What exactly you get by doing that?

Me: Ma'am it is a kind of a philosophical pursuit. After writing a feel content. Moments worth remembering also get on record.

Member 2, interrupts.

M2: Shrikant what writers you have read, name few?

Me: I started by Agatha Christie, Enid Blyton. Later I started reading Sidney Sheldon, Arvind Adiga, Paulo Coelho, Amartya Sen , Robin Sharma.

Interrupted in between.

M2: The last novel you read?

Me: Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.

M2: Have you watched the film made on it?

Me: Sir, I started but stopped.

M2: Why?

Me: The films fails to cover the depth the novel has, so I felt it is not good.

(Everyone Laughing)

Member 1 Lady Member:

M1: Comparison between Twitter and Blogging?

Me: Twitter is Micro Blogging (and explained rest)

M1: Shrikant what are the problems in Syria?

Me: Explained.

M1: What is the migration crisis in Europe?

Me: Explained

M1: Comparision between Europe and American Migration?

Me: America has the melting pot model whoever goes to America becomes an American.

Interrupted.

M1: Which country has decided to stop migration.

Me: America may do if the new President elect decides.

M1: No, some other country.

Me: Ma'am United Kingdom after the the end of Schengen treaty and Brexit may do it.

M1: Yes. Tell me about Rohingya crisis.

Me: Explained. (In the end I said UN says Rohingya are the most persecuted minority in the world.)

Member 3 Finally asks me.

M3: Shrikant what are the drawbacks of UN Missions?

Me: Sir, what I have read is where ever UN Missions are most of the contracts are given to US and European countries. So they earn more and charity is less. Like in the present context if I take the example of South Sudan and East Timor an Island country near Australia..

Interrupts in between.

M3: Even they exploit. Do you agree?

Me: Yes Sir, to some extent America and top world countries influences the local country politics.

M3: You are from Allahabad. Tell me some local writers of Allahabad who are known?

Me: Sir, I can recall Harivansh Rai Bachhan and there is one famous lady I cannot recall.

M3: Mahadevi Verma. Your postal address is of Gorakhpur. Tell me one writer from there?

Me: Sir, I cannot recall.

M3: Firaq Gorakhpuri.

Me:(Smile increasing) Yes Sir. But I can tell you both were English Professorsin Allahabad University.

M3: Yes. Shrikant when you go from Allahabad to Jaunpur (My Village, Permanent Address) which constituency comes in between?

Me: Sir, Phoolpur and Macchlishehar.

M3: Who is the MP?

Me: I don't know.

M3: You did your Graduation from Gorakhpur. Going from Allahabad to Gorakhpur is backward. Why you go?

Me: Explained and told that my father is in Police,

M3: Where is he posted?

Me: SHO Siddharthnagar.

M3: Why Siddharthnagar is named after Buddha?

Me: I don't know.

M3: Told me the story.

Chairman interrupts.

Asks me what I have been doing these two years. Asked me how was my UPSC Civil Services Mains.  I told him it was good expecting Interview call but still not sure because of subjectivity. Some more questions.

Member 3 again takes up and asks me about local politics of Jaunpur.

Chairman finally says, "Your Interview is over".

I stood. Took two steps back. Greeted the Chairman. The Lady Member and the other two. Turned. Read carefully the door said pull. Went outside. 

The Interview was on Civil Services lines. All questions were from current affairs and DAF. No questions were from Internal Security (I read a whole book) and work culture of Assistant Commandant. I explained them in more detail which I am unable to write. My interview went for about 25-30 minutes.

What can be the filmy dialogue to which I can relate right now?

The life has many shades. But there are grey areas too at some points in life, in some of our decisions.
Long thing short. What is one of the dialogue I like. To which I can relate too. Atleast right now!!

The film is Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani:

"Kahin pe pahuchne ke liye kahin se nikalana bahut zaroori hota hai. Sahi waqt pe kat lena chahiye warne gile-shikwe hone lagte hain!!!"

The English Translation is even more beautiful (Must Read):

"To reach somewhere you have to leave something behind. It's best to leave things at the right time otherwise you are left with too many regrets and complaints."

What is truth?

Buddha taught that believing in Gods was not useful for those who are seeking to realize enlightenment. Those who do not believe in God are called Atheist. Those who believe are called Theist. And those who are not sure of God are called Agnostic.

The world is not a place which has sunshine and rainbows all the time. It has dark clouds too. People who believe in God seek help from him to overcome the troubles. Those who don't they may believe in Fate, Destiny, Guts, Law of Karma or even in nothing. But if they do not believe in God they must not accuse him for the miss happenings.

That is the point today. Atheist are not staying atheist contrary they are turning "Anti-Theist". They accuse God for not being the true one.  The concept is a dangerous precedent to social harmony, tolerance and even to the anti-theist person or jiva or pudgala.

What is the truth? Did Buddha know it? Is God there? Law of Karma works? What goes around comes around? All I know is you have to believe in something, it's OK if you believe in your Guts even.

Swami Vivekanand gave the concept of Daridra Narayan, it means service to poor is service to God. Certainly my God are the poor people in a manner, and to many as well. But do we do enough?

My quest for finding the truth will continue. I meet people and I ask them there belief in God. I believe in Soul of Universe, Law of Karma and an ardent believer of what goes around comes around. If I accept all this, people ask me that Law of Karma needs a Governor. That Governor has to be God. I maintain silence like Buddha. My discoveries for the truth goes on. People even argue that the biggest religion is Humanity and once you support Daridra Narayan you have to accept Humanity. But accepting Humanity is compromising Nationalism. Once you accept Humanity there are no boundaries. Nationalism demands the people of my country and there problems comes first. There interest is supreme than humanity. 

Let me quote Rabindranath Tagore, "We should fight against that education which teaches us that nation is above the ideals of humanity". I don't completely agree or disagree. I would say instead, "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society".

So, what is truth? Anti-Theist or Theist or Agnostic or Atheist or Daridra Narayan or Humanity or Nationalism or Law of Karma or Soul of Universe or Guts or Destiny or what?

Green Light for One Nation One Tax

Dear you (Anyone who is reading this 10 years down the line and specially to those who are born in the era of Goods and Services Tax - GST),

I am reading about GST in newspaper since past two years and knowing about GST much before that. So, I feel highly connected to GST. The present incumbent government at centre was fighting tooth and nail to get the bill passed. This Bill was stuck in the Rajya Sabha because the government lacks majority there. In short GST will bring an uniform rate of taxation in India in Goods and Services which is right now subject to both state and centre taxation. Few goods are taxed at more than 60% rate and few at mere 4%. 10 years down the line you might found it absurd thinking why before we didn't have a X% of uniform taxation on all goods and services. But...but..but..you may be happy thinking thanks to GST we have an uniform rate, if you are informed and excited like me.

I was so excited that I was glued to the proceedings of Rajya Sabha when the bill was discussed and proposed to be passed after the All Party Meet decided and backed the bill. My excitement on 3rd August 2016 the date on which Rajya Sabha passed it was so much that I was quite distracted from my studies. Knowing that I have the most important exam of my life 4 days after. I felt happy when I saw the electronic voting result screen indicating the bill is passed around 9:40 pm. Yes, Parliament can really work so late.

The Bill discussion in the Rajya Sabha was what we call "Intellect's Debate". Parliamentarians digging and praising each other. Finance Minister Mr. Jaitley's debate with former Finance Minister Mr. Chidambaram was worth listening.

Finally the Bill's main hurdle was cleared. I thought is it a big thing for me only or for my fellow informed citizens also? The National Media covered it with great pomp and show. But to stand unbiased I will add the 39 seconds coverage of state media.

Finally the wait for Lok Sabha was not long. Today at 8th August 2016 on the 75th Anniversary of Quit India Movement the Bill was approved by Lok Sabha too. 

I felt elate and waiting for its being implemented from next financial year. The Bill is a constitutional amendment Bill hence it has to be approved from half of the states.

Kids (Anyone who is nascent in world, 10 years down the line and knows only GST is something) do you see any change in the tax system? Do you see a high consensus in Parliament always? Today I have some decent understanding of tax system and reading myself this article 10 years down the line I will more easily see the differences. I bet it !!!

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!!

Advantages of being a Hindu

A friend of mine with whom I discuss religion mailed me an article on advantages of being a Hindu. The friend came across this on Quora.

Advantages of being a Hindu:

1) Believe in god! - you're accepted - Aastik

2) Don't believe in god! - You're accepted - Nastik

3) You want to worship idols , please go ahead

4) You dont want to worship idols, please go a ahead.

5) You want to criticise something in our religion. Come forward. We are logical. You will be Hindu.

6) You want to accept as it is. Please go ahead with it.

7) You want to start your journey by reading bhagvad gita - Go ahead

8) You want to start your journey by reading Upanishads - Go ahead.

9) You want to start your journey by reading Purans - Go ahead.

10) You just don't like reading. No problem. Go by Bhakti tradition . ( bhakti- devotion)

11) You don't like idea of Bhakti! No problem, dude. Do your karma.

12) You want to enjoy life. Very good. Go ahead. No problem at all. Charvaka Philosophy

13) You want to abstain from all the enjoyment of life & find god. Wow! Be a Sadhu!

14) You don't like the concept of God. You believe in Nature only. - Welcome.

"vrukshavalli amha soyare" (Trees are our friends)

15) You believe in one god or supreme energy. Superb! Follow Advaita philosophy.

16) You want a Guru. Go ahead.

17) You don't want a Guru. Go ahead.

18) You believe in Female energy. Welcome! Shaktiism form of Hinduism.

19) You believe every human is the same. Yeah! You're awesome, come let's celebrate Hinduism!
"Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" (the world is a family)

20) You don't have anything to do. Don't worry. One more festival is coming!

21) You are a working person. Don't have time for religion. Its okay. You will be a Hindu.

22) You like to go to temples. Please go ahead.

23) You don't like to go to temples, no problem. You are still a Hindu!

24) You know that your religion is a way of life. With freedom.

25) You believe that everything have god in them. So you worship your mother, father, guru, tree,
River, Prani-matra, Earth, Universe!

26) And If you don't believe that everything have god in them - No problems. Respect your viewpoint.

27) "sarve sukhin santu" (May all live happy.) "Sarve bhavantu sukhinah" (May all llve happy) You represent this!

Do thoughts have mass?

Science tells me that thinking is a process which requires energy, since using energy is using mass; hence thoughts have mass. May happen that mass is incalculable. May happen it is a hypothesis, But for me thoughts having mass drags me to all together a different theory.

My Hindu religion does not give me any specific God, there are so many I follow. Neither there is any specific path from which I can get Liberation, Jains have it. Hindu Religion turned to me as a religion less and a way of living more. I was born here with the liberty to choose anything, I chose so many and one is, "Soul of Universe". Reading Paulo Coelho in my school days inculcated this thought more in me that Universe has a Soul and whatever you desire is because the soul of universe wants you to desire. And when you desire anything it finally connects to that bigger soul which is connected to everything. According to Hinduism you can also call this soul "Brahma". Shankracharya's famous line comes in my mind, ‘Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah’.

Now, I am back to my question: Do thoughts have mass? Well, I believe thoughts have mass. Wikipedia writes, Newton’s law of universal gravitation states that any two bodies in the universe attract each other with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Science has proved that two bodies which have masses will attract each other. Similarly if thoughts have mass then the person will attract what he is thinking, because that thought will have mass too.

It sounds absurd? But let me sight you an example: If you truly want to become something in your life or you truly desire to be with someone in you life. Your all efforts and work acts only in that way.Your 'thinking' process also acts in the sane manner. This creates an invisible link between both of you. The 'Ambition' and 'Thoughts' which are further encouraging you to put in more efforts.

This article is incomplete, I need to add more in it with time. But with the lines of Paulo Coelho, if you truly desire something from your true heart then each and every element of the whole universe conspires you to get that. This is because the universe has a common ultimate soul to which every soul connects. I believe your thinking makes that soul think. That is why it is said, be the change you want to see in the world and when you change, the world too changes with you.

                        

Insaan Ban Jao Bahot Scope Hai

I came around an image on WhatsApp send to me by a friend. On the picture it was written that, "Be a human, it has a lot of scope". This statement is a sarcasm on those neighbours, acquaintances, relatives and friends who keep advising us that do this or do that as the career has a lot of scope. Contrary to our needs, our aims and our desires they start comparing us to others and pour us with a plethora of Do's and Don'ts''.

I ask them who are they to have control on my life? I will live it on my terms. What I owe to myself is to do my work and what I owe to them all is not to interfere in their work.

Role of parents is very crucial. Their advice is sometimes boon and sometimes bane. My philosophy for life is I learn to follow my heart. By the pressure of other people I can't be something else which I am not. I will make my own way. If it is through the stars I will try for that too.

Once you be a human i.e. be what you really are and not a person with a mask. You will be more happy, more content and you will not be an exhibitionist. All this will bring peace to you.

When you try to be a human you also bring in you a sense of sympathy, faith, patience, love, gratitude and so much more. With all this you are doing a lot for yourself rather than for others.

 
Next time you find an Uncle or Aunt advising you. Tell them, "There is a lot of scope in becoming a Human, you must also try for that". But not all Uncle's and Aunt's try to share their pseudo repository of knowledge. Some do care for you. Tell them I respect for your advise but I want to do this. Don't ignore them too.