Eassy on why do you want to become an IAS officer?
Answers
I was always a naive and an innocent guy who did not know much about the country or about myself. I was in a rat race, and my mind was so closed that, in 10th standard, I took up Science stream, because everyone else was doing it. I wrote IIT-JEE because everybody else was doing it. Luckily, I was good at what I was doing, and I joined IIT-M for my BTech in Biotechnology. At that moment also, I did not know what to do with my life, I was still in the rat race.
My self-discovery started when I joined NSS in my first year. It was compulsory to join either NCC, NSO or NSS. I was always bad at sports, and I was scared to join NCC because of outdoor exercises, so I joined NSS. We did a lot of good work, being a volunteer. I went to rural schools and taught math to small kids. The next year, I became an NSS coordinator. This time, I took 20 first years to a far off town in AP which was hit by a flood. We cleaned the beach and taught in five rural schools. It was a great experience. I understood that I could lead people and realized I had some societal values in me.
Then there was no stopping me. I became coordinators for various organisations. I became the Sustainability Network ambassador of the hostel. I worked hard in team leading roles, and I started to discover the real me. Then, in third year, me and a bunch of friends started the first festival of our department.
Starting anything new requires a lot of courage and planning. I had to enthuse and influence my juniors a lot, as we were doing the fest for the first time. It was a grand success. Then, I became sure of myself that I could implement new programms and new schemes well.
I was a Facebook addict, and I had one good thing – I read newspaper everyday, a practice which my father taught me. So, I used to write articles on FB and on my blog about various issues that plagued the society. And, we used to have long informed debates on it(Through comments). So, I understood the society well.
Then in December 2012, I got placed in a good high paying company in Bangalore through campus. But, I was not satisfied with the job. In January, I started asking myself the right questions and started to analyze the real me. I was smart, I had social values, was a leader and I could implement and organize events. I was aware of the various issues. Then, it dawned on me that these were the qualities that an IAS officer requires. Then, in February 2013, I started studying for prelims of 2013 which were 3 months away. I was determined this time, I was not the initial naïve guy who was in the rat race. I came out of it, through self realization and started working hard for it.
I graduated out of IIT Madras in May, and gave prelims in Bangalore. I knew I would pass, and started studying fully for Mains from May 17th. Then I joined my job in mid July. Thankfully, the first few months weren’t hectic, I could study for around 7 hours everyday on top of working all day. Then, it started becoming hectic, and I quit my job on October 23rd 2013.
I could take a tough decision(Quitting an awesome job wasn’t easy). This preparation for the past ten months has changed me a lot. It has broadened my outlook, it has strengthened my knowledge and I loved studying every bit of it.
That is why, I want to join IAS. I realized I am fit for it. I have evolved into a better human being. I am out of the rat race and hope to serve this nation sometime in the future.