2 Dreams have Wings! Fervent desires most <strong>of</strong>ten have wings that make one soar higher and higher to achieve those goals and aspirations. Wings that is so strong that <strong>the</strong>y can withstand <strong>the</strong> hardship <strong>of</strong> years <strong>of</strong> struggle and sacrifices. Family, friends and well-wishers usually provide <strong>the</strong> wind beneath <strong>the</strong>se strong wings with <strong>the</strong>ir unwavering support... The All India Civil Services are made <strong>of</strong> such fervent desires and dreams. Lakhs <strong>of</strong> students and pr<strong>of</strong>essionals from all over India toil away year after year hoping to crack it. Some lucky ones make it in a year or two and some take up to 4 years or even more to appear in <strong>the</strong> final list. But <strong>the</strong>y make it none<strong>the</strong>less with <strong>the</strong>ir sheer hard work, immense patience and dogged determination. However, what is interesting to note from <strong>the</strong> results in <strong>the</strong> recent years is that joining <strong>the</strong> Civil Services is predominantly a middle class dream nurtured by students from small towns, tehsils, under-privileged backgrounds, economically backward areas, vernacular mediums etc. Their counterparts in <strong>the</strong> metros are, meanwhile, aspiring for MBAs from IIMs or foreign B-schools and a whole new breed <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essions. The students from metro cities also seem to be losing <strong>the</strong>ir interest and charm for <strong>the</strong> Civil Services. While lack <strong>of</strong> fluency in English can be a serious deterrent in o<strong>the</strong>r pr<strong>of</strong>essions in an increasingly globalized world, in <strong>the</strong> Civil Services, one’s vernacular medium <strong>of</strong> instruction could be a plus point. Joining <strong>the</strong> Services is a definite way by which <strong>the</strong>se talented boys and girls can leapfrog onto a path <strong>of</strong> development, leaving <strong>the</strong>ir middle class backgrounds far behind. This is one career which can give unbridled power to a 25 year old as a District Magistrate or Collector. IAS and IPS is that privileged service that one can not be fired from unless <strong>the</strong> termination letter <strong>has</strong> <strong>the</strong> signature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> President <strong>of</strong> India on it. No o<strong>the</strong>r career in India can give you this kind <strong>of</strong> power, privileges, perks and exposure as <strong>the</strong> Civil Services. The power and <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir jurisdiction make <strong>the</strong>m almost like kings or feudal lords within our democratic system. The flashing red lights <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir pilot cars, <strong>the</strong> cavalcade, <strong>the</strong> security around <strong>the</strong>se <strong>of</strong>ficers, <strong>the</strong> pretty sprawling DM’s bungalows in <strong>the</strong> best locations <strong>of</strong> a district headquarter, <strong>the</strong> battalion <strong>of</strong> people to serve <strong>the</strong>m, are <strong>the</strong> images most people associate with <strong>the</strong>se Civil Servants. They are <strong>the</strong> images youngsters from small towns dream <strong>of</strong> and aspire to be part <strong>of</strong>. They also realize early on that <strong>the</strong> role <strong>the</strong>se <strong>of</strong>ficers play in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country is phenomenal. Though a few stories <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> underdogs make it to <strong>the</strong> headlines every year, what is o<strong>the</strong>rwise extremely heart-warming to observe is that age old caste and class divides are melting away in <strong>the</strong> face <strong>of</strong> single minded determination <strong>of</strong> our talented and meritorious average middle-class, small town students. We see more and more middle class families erupting in joy as its dream <strong>of</strong> having a member in <strong>the</strong> Civil Services come true. Even though India is divided over 27 percent quotas for OBCs in higher educational institutions, this year’s successes have shown that students from underprivileged backgrounds can make it too given half a chance. It almost reads like a remarkable coming <strong>of</strong> age story <strong>of</strong> modern day India, in which hundreds <strong>of</strong> men and women have beaten <strong>the</strong> odds to make it to <strong>the</strong> country’s most privileged pr<strong>of</strong>essions. However, it was not always so. It was once <strong>the</strong> bastion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> elite, <strong>the</strong> educated and <strong>the</strong> super-privileged. Indian Civil Service (ICS) was a competitive examination instituted in 1861, for <strong>the</strong> recruitment <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers to help <strong>the</strong> British Empire run <strong>the</strong> country, considered to be <strong>the</strong>ir crowning glory. Earlier than that <strong>the</strong>re was an examination meant for only British and European candidates to help <strong>the</strong> affairs <strong>of</strong> East India Company. Indians were thought to be fit only for lowly jobs. But things turned around in <strong>the</strong> year 1857. The need for a team <strong>of</strong> well trained and efficient <strong>of</strong>ficers was felt more than ever. Thus a competitive examination for civil services was instituted in 1861. But recruitment rules were made very strict. The entry age was 21 and later on it was reduced to a ludicrous 19 years. To top it, <strong>the</strong> location <strong>of</strong> examination was London. This restriction made it almost impossible for Indians to appear for this “public” examination! Over <strong>the</strong> years, <strong>the</strong> British realized <strong>the</strong>ir mistake and <strong>the</strong> rules were liberalized regarding <strong>the</strong> age. The ratio <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> Indian Origin which was very less and increased to 33% in 1923 and to 75% by 1935. Indian police, medical, forest, irrigation services etc. came under <strong>the</strong> purview <strong>of</strong> Indian Civil Service. ICS posts were <strong>the</strong> dreams for <strong>the</strong> educated elite, as <strong>the</strong> prestige, salary and perks were very high in ICS. Anando ram Barooah was <strong>the</strong> first Assamese to be selected for ICS. Examinations too later started to be conducted in India paving <strong>the</strong> path for hundreds <strong>of</strong> our educated youth to join it. After Independence, ICS made way for Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The examination to get into <strong>the</strong> Indian Civil Services is conducted by <strong>the</strong> Union Public Service Commission stationed in Delhi. This august body arranges numerous examinations for different posts in administration to run <strong>the</strong> affairs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land efficiently. Every year we see, thousands <strong>of</strong> under graduates, graduates and post graduates move out <strong>of</strong> Assam and flock to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune etc. heading towards higher studies, city exposure and better career opportunities. And not surprisingly, a sizeable portion <strong>of</strong> those students nurture in <strong>the</strong>ir hearts <strong>the</strong> dream <strong>of</strong> becoming a Civil Servant. In Delhi especially, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University provide all <strong>the</strong> right ingredients for <strong>the</strong>se aspirants. Whe<strong>the</strong>r it is books, coaching material, coaching institutes, <strong>the</strong> sights and sounds <strong>of</strong> fellow civil servant aspirants etc., its all around almost like a sub culture. While some students enjoy life to <strong>the</strong> hilt (after all, isn’t this <strong>the</strong> age to enjoy life?), you see this o<strong>the</strong>r group <strong>of</strong> students slogging away in <strong>the</strong>ir POSOOWA May 2009
You are cordially invited to attend Assam 2009 to be held in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 3 and July 4 3 Tarali Sarma, <strong>the</strong> national (India) award winning singer will entertain. O<strong>the</strong>r entertainers include Bonmayuri Kalita and <strong>Vedajyoti</strong> Ojah. Names <strong>of</strong> additonal entertainers are still being finalized. Please mark your calendar. Vacation in gorgeous Colorado before or after Assam 2009! http://www.assam2009.org POSOOWA May 2009