Abroad calls-Our dream training

“Ministry has nominated 26 officers for foreign training in USA”, read the sanction order. Even while writing this blog, I could feel my heart sprinting with joy. The earlier week was a busy one for people in Ministry. They were involved in hectic activity of getting official passports. The official passports had arrived. I departed from my Regional Office in Chennai on 13 September 2018 for Delhi. I was in fact really eager to see my colleagues after the recent transfer. I went directly to Ministry in Delhi and met my friends at office. We chatted there for long regarding all sorts of things. There was still a bit of uncertainty regarding the trip as Coastal areas of USA were facing a Hurricane. However, anticipation and hope was boundless.

            I stayed at my friend’s apartment which was definitely a plush one. We partied there, talked about life, about work and about the trip. All the friends arrived one by one to the apartment. The ‘THE’ day had come. The flight was at night 2am. We left around 11 pm at night from the apartment in two cars. We all arrived at airport and were really excited. All of our friends, juniors and seniors came.

            We went inside the airport. We took our online tickets and went to get our boarding pass. There was a long queue. We all had our wheeled bags for travelling. The bags were checked and sent through conveyor.After getting the boarding pass, we had to go through the Airport security check. There was a diplomatic/official line specifically for the Indian Officials. We went through the immigration. It actually didn’t take much of the time. We went straight to our Gate where there was one more checking. Around 1:30 am we boarded our Air India aeroplane.

            The aeroplane was colossal and not like the domestic aeroplanes we usually saw. This aeroplane had to cross the ocean to another continent. We sat down in our seats. My place was near aisle. There were facility to watch TV, but I guess mine was broken. The flight took off soared into the air and so did our dreams. After some time we were given snacks. Nothing is better than snacks for a good dreaming. We were asked to shut the window screen. I guess it was time to sleep. My friends had little drinks to aid their digestion. Around Morning, right above the Ocean, we had our breakfast. Around 3 pm at noon, we landed at Chicago. This is the first time geography lesson came to my mind. As we went towards the west, we gained time, we were hours younger. The time which we were all so concerned about had different meaning in different places. It was all interstellar again if you get what I mean.

            We again went through immigration checks. Here also we were given separate line as we were officials. Before landing itself, airlines airhostess had given us some forms to fill which had to be presented at the immigration counter. Our immigration officer was a bald stone faced guy with blue hand gloves. He took the passports and scanned it. I would be lying if I say that I was not anxious. However, everything was over in a jiffy. We hand official land in United States of America.

            No one was there for us to tell where to go or how to go. We were just moving forward by asking airport officials, one step at a time. Our bags came out of those conveyor belts. I could see how happy those bags were. They were dancing on those conveyor belts. They also traveled with us to another Country. My bag was of American Tourister Company. Its life goal was fulfilled. It was once again checked in and sent in conveyor for the next flight. Some of our daring friends had exited  Chicago Airport for sightseeing. Not me. I waited for the next flight to Washington. I was really hungry. However, the funny thing was I had only 400 dollars. If truth is to be told, this may be one of the least prepared tours for me. No research, money that too at the last moment from my seniors. The trip was for 12 days and I really did not wanted to spend the money and be stranded here. Our other friends had forex cards with them. They checked whether it worked or not. Truth to be told, I was sceptical about those cards. But it worked rather well and was very convenient. Convenient may be because while giving cash for purchase, I don’t know whether people gave me correct change or not. There were cents, dimes and I had never bothered to check.

            When we reached Washington, a bald person in Coat came to us and asked whether we were from Ministry. I said yes. He asked where the program coordinator was. Till that time I had no idea who our program Coordinator was. I mean, I knew the name and all but never met in person and did not know how he looked like. I pointed towards direction of one of our seniors. May be he knew who it was. Thankfully he knew. They all met and talked. We were shown way by the Indian embassy officials towards the exit. There were two big Chevrolet cars and two big black Mercedes Benz vans. This might be the second time in my life to enter a luxurious vehicle. We kept all luggages behind the Van and hopped on. The entourage headed towards the hotel at Arlington. The place was stunning. I was glued to the van’s wind shield to see the scenery. The moving landscape with greenery splashed on both sides of roads was a treat to the eyes. There was no swarm of people, no crowd, only cars plying in the road. It was like watching a Hollywood movie with camera zooming in. Throughout I think our Indian desserts have more people than on those roads. I was dumbstruck by the weather, the greyish hue in them. The weather had different colour to it, pale colour. The Indian weather is very bright like a big ‘mela’. Even the air in both countries was different, each of them unique and breathtakingly beautiful.

            We were to stay in the Hilton garden Hotel. The hotel was amazing. It was on a slope. We were all given magnificent rooms. We were given our morning coupons for breakfast. I was just exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. The jet lag had caused some sleeping problems. I think it was common throughout. For coming 1 week I kept on waking up 3 am in morning and was very sleepy during the afternoon times no matter how many tea or coffee I drank. The next morning around 6 am I and my roommate went out for a walk. The streets were so neat and clean that my sole of shoes were cleaner than my front of shoes. The one thing that perhaps we all noticed was people are very fitness conscious around here. They are always running, in morning with their earphones and in evening with their dogs.

            I had this fantasy of bathing in the bath tub. Throughout my stay in USA, I bathed in bath tub with hot water and soap. I don’t know how many litres of water I wasted, how many hours I stayed there, but a man wants what a man wants. Then we all went for breakfast. We all wanted a typical American breakfast. Vegetarians were scared out of their wits as to what to eat. I ate all types of meat, and in morning itself. I learned how to make waffles which is to just put the dough in machine. The beacons, the pork, the chicken and the eggs, all ate in the morning itself.

            The class was held in Arlington, FHWA. It was like a Regional office where training was held. We met the Deputy Director of the Institute. We were taught on various aspects of engineering with a field visit during the coming week.

            We were given DA by the Embassy. Out of all 26 officers, we 4 knuckleheads had missed to collect our DA. Now we had to collect it from the Indian Embassy. One of the seniors had credit card to book UBER. We went to the embassy in UBER which was a JEEP. We met the Second Secretary for collecting DA.

            After DA, we had to make arrangement for food at night by our own. For the whole one week, we tried different restaurants. Indian restaurants were really costly. We went to some Art party of which I had little understanding and ate snacks from there and left. Our first major tour was to the White house. The White house is an imposing structure. There were barricades and lots of tourists. We clicked our photos. By now, we had come to an understanding the McDonalds was the cheapest food anyone could find. After white house, we went to a Animal Zoo. It was quite large and had number of animals. We went to the pentagon mall. The one thing you again learn in US is not to convert the dollars into Rupees in your head. The first week was really stingy in terms of my spending as I was always converting the currencies in my head. This drought changed in coming week. I emptied all my money and I spent till I was broke.

            The time at Arlington was closing to an end. We planned to go New York in the free weekend. The hotel and bus was booked and no plans were made. We just went with the flow. New York is the city that all should see. Newyork is a stark contrast to the Arlington. Crowded and filled with all activity, this city was majestic. From the bus we were dropped near the empire state building. I still remember seeing the tower aching my neck. This is the first tower in my life whose top was not visible. It was true to its name, a sky scraper in all respect.

            We now went to the hotel. Each of us had made a group of five to six people. The hotel was also Hilton garden, however smaller in size compared to one which we stayed at Arlington. At night we went out. The street was full of activity. Big screens of LCD with endless advertisement, Building that rose to abode of God. The people all from different countries and New York is truly a Global city.

            We visited the empire state Building, the mall with Alien like skeleton, World trade centre memorial. The statue of liberty was missed because of bit miscalculation in timing. We went on the bridge at night.  We got scare of life when our internet stopped working. We had got off the hook many times because of the free Wifi offered by the restaurants. However, near this bridge there was nothing. Out of the four people, only one of us had internet and that too was not working. Finally after lots of try, we could book a car. We were happy that the cab driver was an Indian. We had a lovely conversation about the life in the city.

            After the New York program, it was back to Washington. We stayed at Willards Intercontinental which had rooms for big politicians. This was the hotel arranged by Embassy and was really a huge one. The hotel was gold painted to give it royal feel. Here also my favourite part was the tub bathing. If any environmentalist found out this extravaganza, I would have been in deep trouble.

            Here, we did all the sightseeing. We visited White house, Washington Memorial and Lincoln memorial for second time. All reminded us of the great past and hope for the future. Any distant place was travelled in the Metro. Unlike our Delhi Metro, there is no security checking. A card filled with dollar for travelling around. We however found that travelling in metro was more expensive than using UBER.

            Like all good thing end, this trip also had to come to an end. Within two week however, I was missing my family. Our last photograph was in front of US DOT. Our last visit was the National Museums. Those were some great museums, especially the Science Museum. There were animal’s models, microbes, real space stones and real rare stones. The next was the space museum. Finally, the trip ended. It was a trip of the life time. We all packed our things and departed towards our Home sweet Home. We said goodbye to this great Country, but the reminiscence of the time here will be always with us.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”-Henry Miller

           

My training days in IAHE

I joined MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) in 2016 around September after successfully clearing Engineering service 2015. I had done Masters in Transportation Engineering and was excited to work in same field in Government sector. I worked in Ministry for 1 year. However, I was having reservation regarding having a desk job and was inclined to work in field.

IAHE main building

After working in Ministry for 1 year, we were sent to train in IAHE, training ground for all Highway engineers recruited through UPSC. It was around October 2017.

    We left our rented rooms and were happy to get a rent free accommodation in Delhi. We were sent to our respective rooms. Rooms were allotted twin sharing basis. As I entered the room, I was overwhelmed by the size and style. The room was major up gradation compared to pathetic one in which I was living in rent.

   

IAHE entry gate

A few of the perks which we enjoyed in having shorter training periods was the accommodation and food was free and was borne by the Government. We had lots of savings during this time. The rooms were cleaned by the house keepers. There was a super luxury of a thing called bed coffee. The mess staff will come and ask for coffee at 06:00 am in morning in your room. I felt like Nawab. I maintained that for one month and then after asked them politely to stop disturbing my sleep.

We settled in the room and waited excitedly for others to come. There was lot of excitement as training was happening because of lot of follow ups with higher officials in Ministry. Batch of 2015 along with 3 of 2014 batch were first sent. Ours was the first batch to have a foreign training proposal as well as extension of earlier 3 months training to 6 months training. The Indian trips also had increased from 1 trip to 2 nos. Around November, our juniors of 2016 batch also came along. There were total 26 trainees to be trained. These 26 officers were called “special chabbis” after a popular bollywood movie.

my room "messy as it gets"

Our first class was Survey instruments which were extraordinarily taken by Ranbir Sir. When class was over, we used to play Badminton. The court was made on Tiled floor which were undulating and one needs to be extra cautious while performing any athletic moves. I must say, I have never played badminton in my life with a net in between. I learnt a great deal of Badminton while in the Academy. Also another sport which was never played was snooker. I was greatly addicted to this sport as one can easily play it solo. I used to play football solo mainly practicing my long shots. If not for the injury on my feet and hamstring, i would have bent it like beckham. My hamstring continued to haunt me throughout the training. On Diwali, when I had stayed back in hostel I was playing snooker all by myself. Playing piano (I know it’s just a keyboard) was also a thing which i semi religiously observed during morning hours when my roommate was in bathroom or away for breakfast.

enjoying cricket with seniors

In the training I also had started doing yoga and also bought some 10 kg dumb bells. Those seem to be like New Year resolution never to be revisited again. I had semi religiously maintained a dairy in which daily events were recorded. This was because of my need to read something or write something. However, towards the fag end of training, all these things gave way to lots of sleeping and gup-shup with friends.

my keyboard 

Apart from foundation training, IAHE is also host to numerous International trainings. There is mandate from MEA (Ministry of external affairs) to train some associate engineering officers from foreign countries in Highway sectors. I had interaction with only few people from South Africa.

69th Republic day in IAHE

Our first field visit came to Jaipur. We were all little bit disappointed in the choice of the place. More over we were little off put by the Authorities of IAHE who had asked us to shift our belongings to one room. We were stern in our stand not to bend. The impasse was broken when Director talked about the heavy rush of engineers from foreign countries. Three rooms instead of one were given for shifting. However, our concern turned to be unfound as the trip was a great success. This was because of the excellent arrangements made by RO Jaipur. The journey was made via bus. During the bus journey, it was a jolly party with singing and dancing.

site visits

site visits

The first visit was NH-8 Jaipur Kishngarh, which was a BOT project. The road according to me looked splendid. I couldn’t but wonder the traffic of Jaipur appeared very less. There were ample flyovers. There were multiple level structure of transportation with metro at first level and road directly on top of it. I wondered at the foresight of the engineers. The land is very precious and it is time to utilise it for different forms of transport. The time of excusive Right of way to Roads or the Railway or the Waterways is fast coming to an end. We did have a glimpse of extra dose bridge, RE walls, Tunnels, Concrete and Bituminous roads. We went to see Gardmahadev temple, Chawkidhani , Dharga in pushkar and of course forts like Amer. I was personally excited to see the IIT coaching Institutes. The young teenagers reminded me of my school days. The culinary delight was the dal bhati churma. We were fully stuffed with ghee.

group photo of MoRTH and BRO officers in IAHE

Around the same time, CES (Roads) association was strengthened with a steady subscription fees. Task groups in which one of my colleague was also elected executive committee member was formed. We gave our request regarding calling on Hon’ble President of India. While for other ESE organisations, it was routine part of training, we had to pursue a lot with Administration. A Whatsapp group of CES (Roads) was formed around this time. It was mainly to address the welfare of association members collectively that needed to be addressed. The trainees undergoing foundation course were of course one of the firsts to give subscription fees.

Jaipur forts

The training quality was marginally improved with better faculty and inclusion of software like MX Roads, STAAD and IIT Pave. The time period was increase from 3 months to 6 months. However, the main highlight was the foreign proposal which was one of its kinds.

Planting tree in IAHE by 2014,2015 and 2016 batch

Our second trip was to Kerala. The selection of site was somewhat disappointing personally for me as I wanted to go some place which was not earlier visited. I was thinking of North eastern states. The choice in front of us was Andhra Pradesh or Kerala and all favoured Kerala. We were given flight tickets to Kerala. It was quite some time since visit of Kerala. We were first sent to Trivandrum in a hotel. Our first site visit was Kanaya kumari. The main attraction of trip was the bus which was a fully fledged DJ floor with lights and laser and music box which will bend any speakers to their knees.

GOD'S own country Kerala

Our second visit was in Trivandrum in Muscat hotel. Director IAHE had arranged for us to meet with Dr. E Sreedharan, more famously known as the Metro Man. He gave an inspiring speech on the Management, time efficiency, integrity and most important about maintaining a good health. I was most attracted by his charisma and charm. He was old but was full of vigour. The team visited Trivandrum bypass, kollam bypass and Alapuzha bypass. Along with these visits, many tourist locations like kovalam beach, Alapuzha back waters and other shopping areas were covered. The trip was good and fun. For many of juniors, it was first opportunity for flight.

Dr. E. Sreedharan

Our next leg of work was Ministry attachment for 1 month. The attachment was a good opportunity to savour all food in different Bhawans. It was also good opportunity to meet senior officers and know about the working of different section.

Meeting Honorable Minister RT&H

Our final conclusion was the President meet which happened on 2nd April 2018. This was the second opportunity in MoRTH. The call on of Hon’ble President of India by MoRTH officer trainees was one of the most cherished moments in trainee’s life. We were accompanied by Secretary (RT&H), DG and Special Secretary (RD), Director of IAHE(ADG). We took lots of photographs. Unlike earlier meets, we were given opportunity to have a guided tour in Rashtrapati Bhawan. The best part was that we were shown place where in the evening, Padma Shree awards were to be distributed. Hon’ble President of India emphasised the need of Infrastructure to be accessible to differently abled and the importance to maintain integrity in profession. And when in doubt remember technocrats like M. Visveshvaraya and Dr. E Sreedharan.

MoRTH officers call on Honorable President of India

We were now waiting for our posting order to come. Our sweet time had come to an end. I felt like my college days.

Engineering Services- The glass is half full.....

There is lot of materials now available in internet about different Engineering Services allotted through UPSC. This is made possible by Seniors and colleagues who took pain in writing about their opinion about the services without fear of backlash or adverse effects. I personally thank them for giving their frank opinions which definitely gave a big picture to all aspirants and future IES officers.

            In every service there is lot of positives and negatives. My good friend once told me a story of his professor. The professor took a note book and draws a tiny dot in earlier white, unblemished page. He tears the paper and asks what is it? It a dot, came the reply. Professor explains when you are focussing on dot, you are forgetting the paper on which it exists.

            I don’t wish to explain advantages and disadvantages of various services. It’s out there already. I just want to reduce the anxiety experienced by many aspirants who are sometimes are only seeing the dot and missing the white paper. During my time, very few wrote about the different Engineering services. These officers made it a point to cite pros and cons of department. I am thankful to them. They made filling DAF easier. However of late, there is increasing bad lighting of all Engineering services by young officers. I wish to address this issue.

            There is two worry issues of Engineering services that aspirants find-

1. The comparisons of departments in the Engineering service (like IRSE, CES, CES (Roads) etc)

2. The comparison of IES with IAS.

Dynamic nature of Engineering Services- Engineering is one of the most dynamic services. It easy to quantify the achievements of Engineering services unlike Scientific services or Social services or Economic services.

This dynamic nature of service adds variability to the equation. For example, in civil engineering, there was great demand for surveyors and engineers who could manage them. This was the era of Great trigonometric survey (GTS). Those people did a great job with very high accuracy which is achieved with modern instruments today. Now it is a saturated department in State as well as Central. Similar was water resource department. There were great engineers who built irrigation canals, sanitary pipelines, dams etc. For now, its importance has reduced relatively. CPWD was great traditional department which is now facing completion from other construction PSUs. They were great engineers who built and designed majestic Buildings. Apart from the Public Works it was required to carry out the construction works of Archaeological, Posts and Telegraphs and Indian National Airways and other such Organisations as ‘Depot Works’. You will still find buildings with name of executive engineer on these buildings. However, many of the earlier functions have been bifurcated.

Now a day focus is on infrastructure of India. The department of railways and roads are on rise with mega projects. Like all other departments, this may also face the nature’s slump.

This dynamic nature of engineering department is true for private and government departments. When a young engineer gets appointment to Engineering service, this important thing should be in mind. In services, he serves for 30-35 years. This is a very long time and you will never know what is in store for you. Some department relevant now may become redundant and some redundant one may become most relevant. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done in this matter. A brief history of MoRTH (Ministry of Road transport and highways) from wiki will shed light on this-

Changes made over years (Source: Wikipedia)

 ·        1942 : The Department of War Transport was formed in July, by the bifurcation of the then Department Of Communications into two Departments:

 (i) Department of Posts

(ii) Department of War Transport.

·   1957: Department of War Transport was renamed as Ministry of Transport & Communications and Department of transport was placed under it.

·    1966: Department of Transport, Shipping & Tourism was placed under Ministry of Transport and Aviation.

·         1967: the Ministry of Transport and Aviation was bifurcated into Ministry of Shipping and Transport and the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.

·         1985: Ministry of Transport and Shipping became the Department of Surface Transport under the Ministry of Transport.

·         1986: the Department of Surface Transport under Ministry of Transport was renamed as Ministry of Surface Transport .

·       1999: Ministry of Surface Transport was subsequently re-organized into departments, namely Department of Shipping and Department of Road Transport and Highways.

·      2000: the Ministry of Surface Transport was bifurcated into two Ministries namely Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of Shipping.

·         2004: Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Road Transport has again been merged and renamed as Ministry of Shipping and Road Transport and Highways

As you can see, all services under Engineering services are evolving. The choice of engineering service is important during filling of DAF and must be cautiously done. After allocation and then being sad over the decision is not good. Thinking too much about future in initial years will take focus away from work that is required to be done. Like all government services, Engineering services is a way to serve public. We should be grateful that an opportunity to serve is given and make most of it.

So what is the solution if you don’t get your desired department and expected facilities?    The fact that all the material in internet about engineering services is written by young officers like me who may not have fully explored the department should be a relief. Each department however worse it may be comes with certain unique positive attributes. For example, IRSE have lot of authority, CPWD have diverse work, CES (Roads) have easier life style and lot of relevance now, IDSE/MES/BRO/ IOFS for those who love military life, SIS/IIS for those who like being different, CWES for those who have yearn for nations water resources. Focussing on positive attributes and keeping in mind that whatever you do, it will affect the country directly or indirectly will keep away any self doubts.

The other solution to the above problem is to have low or no expectations about facilities. Don’t have any expectation that department will give any benefit at all. No car, no bungalow, no servants. Think that even tea you drink have to paid by you. Imagining this and coming to service, you will focus more on your duty and enjoy bonus benefits specific to different services.

There are tons of deputation prospects available to officers which may not be foreseen in near future. A redundant department will allow more of such deputations. In government service, there is interesting work, there is frustrating work but no work done is unimportant. Even drafting a letter or collecting data over phone for the policy makers to make decision is important even though this may not be ideal work you might be seeking. Comparing other departments work and brooding over is nothing but proverbial grass is green on other side.

            The Comparison of IES with IAS- This is heart ache that most IES officers face in. They see young officer becoming a boss over them. This is true for even other civil services like IRS and IPS. Let me quote the material of 7th CPC report which one of my colleague showed to me and is reproduced below-

Average year of promotional prospects for even for Civil services other IAS/IFS is far higher than the engineering service. For those who don’t know what is SAG and HAG, it is Joint secretary/Chief engineer level and HAG is Additional secretary/Additional director general level. The above table will tell that most of civil service have better promotional prospects than engineering service. Defence service and engineering service are a bit slow moving in promotional prospects.

What is definitely not told that there is something called cadre review which reviews these promotion prospects and improves them. The above table won’t even be recognizable in 20 years or so. Some service will fare better and some will get worse. There is nothing that can be done about it in initial years. A person genuinely interested in engineering should let his interest prevail rather than these figures above. This is because you will not know what is in store for you and you may fare better than you think now.

            The purpose of writing this post is because of general observation that new officers who are genuinely interested in engineering services, being bothered by these departmental shortcomings and slow moving promotional prospects. They make half hearted efforts in switching over to other services whose working field they are not even interested. This is a great tragedy and loss to country. Even before coming to Engineering services, they are bogged down by despair. They true performance is affected as they are pulled back by these shackles. I hope this post will give the confidence to future aspirants.

They are told about shortcomings of department but not about the reforms and changes that will improve the situation. They are not told about the dynamic nature of engineering departments. They are not told that glass is half full. This service like other services has its own charm and place in government mechanism. Don’t let others say otherwise.

P.S. thank you Ganesh for the title of this post. As always, this is my personal view and will not be used for any legal or other matter. I shall not be liable for any damages arising out of use of the material.

ESE Medicals and Myopia >4D (non pathological) - II

My ESE interview was around November and results and medicals came around January. I went to medical exam at southern railway hospital Chennai. This was my second medical test in same hospital. At 2014 ESE, all the written qualified candidates had to attend medical test and it was hell for the hospitals. Also before 2014 ESE, you had to give preference of your hospital.

Anxious face!

But now they have taken it away. I think now they allot the hospital which is more nearer to address you had given. It was convenient for most people, but I was working in Bengal and now had to travel to Chennai. Traveling was not the problem, but taking leave on peak work time by giving some other reason and seeing your superior’s face all twisted was a crisis for me. But I had to do it. Somehow, it was all an imagination and I got leave pretty easily, which is indeed a difficult thing for those working in construction industry.

                I went to Chennai southern railway hospital. As I had already given medical test in same hospital, I was familiar with the place nearest and decided to go for a bit sightseeing. On the day of medicals, I went to hospital at 9 o clock. There I found a few guys sitting and chatting .I knew they were for the medicals. I went and asked about the time to report. I already knew that the staffs came late at around 10 o clock. So we decided to pass time. I asked those two guys what their ranks were. 1^st rank said the first one and 2^nd rank said the next one. And they had similar GATE ranks. And the fun fact was that they were working. One of them was working for four years.

I admired their will power. For me, working really drains your energy and you really need a strong motivation for keep going. Although, I did give ESE during grueling M tech project time, the case was different. I had library facility in kharagpur and I used to regularly go there at 8 o clock. I would be the first one to enter the library and last one to go out at around 12 o clock. I had the chance of pacing my M tech work as I wished. I got two months of serious preparation after completing all M tech formalities. This was enough considering that I had already given ESE 2014 and GATE 2013. However, when I started working, it’s the responsibility that drains your energy and not the actual work itself. Around September, I had already started preparation for the third time if luck didn’t favour me during second time. However, it was frustrating because the projects were to be finished really fast and lots of work was pilling on. Being a junior, you have to work under lots of people and their remarks sometimes disturb mental peace. Seven casual leaves per year did not help either. I personally am a sensitive guy and these disturbances were creating problems in my studies. However, when I went to medicals, I found most of them working people. Some were in PSU’s and they managed their leaves and free times perfectly. Some of them were writing IAS and this exam was their backup. I just found out that I was just being a cry baby.

So, after two years of leave from blog writing, I am back. The main reason to write this piece of article is because I myself had read many articles written by others. I was a big reader of “my days at made easy”, ESE experience of many candidates. Also I read many excellent articles in Quora. Now writing them is easy, tying them is bit hard, proof reading and making presentable is tough.

I have a specific theme for this article. This article is for those guys who have specs. I have Myopia with power >4D. For those who don’t know what myopia is, its problem to see far distance things properly as normal human can. For me the power is 4D in one eye and 5.5D in other. And I am not physically handicapped. So most of the PSU’s don’t engage people >4D. After Btech, I was distraught for not getting into L&T or IOCL because of Myopia. I decided to go to Mtech in IIT and fortunately I got good college and very good faculty. However, I was pained to see L&T coming again for seniors. I was praying to God to give me something. And I am not making this up to make the article dramatic. One day I was in library searching for some research articles and I fumbled upon the ESE brochure at olden times (i don’t remember the year). I glanced upon it and found medical fitness. It said that eye power was up to 8D for some services. This happened in Mtech first year. That was turning point for me. Because of the myopia problem, I never considered ESE as an option even when I was preparing for GATE. I never regret it as I wanted to complete Masters and that too i completed it under a renowned Guide. I started searching more and eventually found out the ESE medical file. Now it had declared Myopia>4D (non pathological) as fit for all services other than IRSE in case of civil engineering.

That was the turning point and from that time onwards, I started my preparation vehemently. I never went to any trip organized, never went out for any festival. Just started my day by running a 2.2Km every day and after that it was library all time. My first attempt took me till interview and second attempt pulled it off.

During my first medical exam at Chennai, I along with other written qualified students was called. There were two girls. They started the test around 10 o clock. They started with chest Xray, urine test. Then they measured the height and weight. After that came the dreaded eye test. I along with two other spectacled candidates was referred to special medical board of three ophthalmologists. They put something in our eyes to dilate and it hurts like anything. They did a computer eye testing and handed receipt to us. Some guys didn’t bring their eye prescription and they heard earful from the doctors. The receipt was attached to a document. Then they put power glasses and made us to tell where slit of ring was. Then they flashed torches in our eyes and looked into our souls. We were asked to exercise our eyes. Look up and down now left and right. After that they watched eye from a gizmo. We were asked to read the ishara plates for color blindness. They were skipping it fast and with that entire torch light flashed before, the letter were bit dizzy. However I managed to read most of them. After that it was a lunch break. We had a good vegetarian lunch from nearby restaurant. I was bit more relaxed right now as the main over deal was over.

After that came the unexpected general body test. The people said that here is the place where you had to be naked and get your balls grabbed. I was feeling uneasy now. The people, who went in, came out and cracked some wise jokes. I went in. Doctor asked me to remove my shirt and all. He checked m chest wrist and heart beat. Then he asked me to remove everything. He pressed it and asked to cough facing sideways. I coughed my lungs out. Then he asked about piles and all. Then after putting pants he asked me to walk and sit. I did as he said. He left the room and asked to get dressed and move out. I did Google out what the ball grabbing test was and it turns out that he was not grabbing my balls but checking a specific vein in there. If there was some problem in those veins, it could be life threatening.

The last part was meeting MD. He basically asked about general things, what you are presently doing and all. He finally checked everything and filled all forms. And while he was filling form I got a look into medical board report. Fit for all services except IRSE due to Myopia >4D. This was during first medical test. However, i couldn’t get a rank in ESE 2014. All was similar in second medical test of ESE 2015 except i didn’t get to meet MD or my Special medical board report. Weeks later, i got a speed post that Medical board had declared you fit for some services only due to Myopia > 4D and if you have any objection file for second medical board. The letter did not specify which services. I was naturally tensed as why this has happened. I posted a reply approving the medical board decision and asking specifically for which services i am declared unfit. After a month or so, a letter arrived saying that I would not be considered for second medical board as I had no objection to first medical board findings. It also gave reply for my question” Fit for all services except IRSE due to myopia>4D (non pathological)”.

Second Letter from the medical board intimating fit for all service except IRSE

Main list of candidates medical status

 Finally I breathed in relief. I had endlessly searched for an article that would support me during the preparation as well as after medical. I got good help from the blog articles written with respect to interview. I hope this article helps those who are in same dilemma as I was.

ESE medicals and my first flight-I

                    

My painting skill with MS Paint

My medical examination for ESE 2015 was at Chennai. Train tickets were not available and booking tatkal was difficult and risky. So, I had to take a flight. I was always averse to change. I needed a strong force to change myself. The fact that there were no train seats available tilted decision in favour of flight. I booked two tickets using cleartrip.com. Round trip in spice jet saved me some money. It was my cheapest option available. Preparation for flight was filled with all types of questions. What will I wear? What items are included in cabin baggage? How much early should I reach the airport? Which items are banned in airport?

            The planning started three days ago. I did extensive search on internet regarding what are procedure for flying. I found out that liquid had to be small container. It was said to prevent explosion at low pressure. So I ditched my toothpaste. I didn’t want myself to be spontaneously on fire. It was better if I didn’t brush a day or two. I was always selfish and didn’t care about others agony (i don’t even chew mouth fresheners). They said that cabin baggage was restricted to 7 kg. I took minimum clothes and required medical papers. Finally the day arrived. It was Saturday. My plane was only on 4:30 pm. I left my place at tollygunj (Kolkata) at 10 o clock. I wanted to go there sufficiently early. Around 12 o clock I reached there. I thought that it would take lot of time to clear security. I anticipated that even if I am bit early, I would pass time by staring at the aeroplanes. I saw a VMB (variable message board) outside of domestic departure showing all the plane timings. Now you might think why I wrote VMB. It only because it’s almost two years since my Mtech, and only in blogs or pass time, I could use my technical knowledge. Most of my current job work is to liaison and I am not very good at it either. I went to the spice jet counter. I was awestruck by the tidiness of the terminal. Before entering a CISF jawan checked my ID proof and my flight details.

            The terminal was clean. There was lots of glass used in the construction. Most of the inside shops were of glass and the items were displayed in see through glass. I walked the length of the terminal. The coffee shops were expensive. My inner spendthrift demon had me all agitated to buy that coffee. But my frugal upbringing and my mission ahead had me in check. It’s not every time my will power wins. And when it does, it does no mistake of being humble about it. And believe me, after medical I spent like hell.

            The thing that no one misses is the breathtaking air hostess in their impeccable dress. From far, all looks like Barbie dolls. However on closer look, I felt the excess make to be a testosterone retarder. Sometimes the lipstick looks out of place. And if you remove the whole makeup, you could feed a district full of poor people with all natural extracts used in it. And if it’s not natural, I might just use it to repaint the whole Howrah Bridge.

The indigo had blue uniform and the spice jet had the red one. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful sight. But after two or three hours of waiting alone, even the beautiful air hostess becomes eye sore. Any way to pass time, I decided to check out the bathroom. Taps auto detecting the hand motion to discharge water and automatic hand dryer failed to impress me. The loud noise of hand dryer was too much for me and no means I will use it again.

            I pestered around the spice jet counter to give me boarding pass. Around 1:30 pm they agreed. I went to one of the guy and gave my online ticket. He asked for an id and after that gave me red color boarding pass. I went through the security gate where again CISF jawans were stationed. After checking was over, I signed relief. I went to secure airport area. The sight there was splendid. It was akin to the time when Alice entered the wonderland. The mighty aeroplanes moving with all human engineering defying the humongous weight that tries to bring it down, to fly higher than the clouds. These gigantic machinery made my day. Finally the boarding time came. We were asked to be in a queue. They checked our tickets and let us in.

            The on board air hostess welcomed us. I was jubilant to get in aeroplane. I went in sat at the window seat allotted to me. Air hostess showed all the safety measures and like an obedient student, I watched it carefully. Even before the start of the flight, I was thinking about what will happen if plane crashes into sea. I was fantasizing about taking all the drowning people (most importantly the beautiful ones) and saving the day. In reality, I had just learned swimming .I don’t even have stamina to swim 200 m, let alone taking someone else to safety. But none the less, I am a dreamer dreaming pathetic one like these.

            Even before the climax of my dreams, the plane started moving. I was excited like an 8 year boy. I watched carefully as the aeroplane moved towards the runway. Finally it reached the runway. It stopped for some time. The engines were in full throttle. The sound was audible even inside the plane. And then it just cut loose off all the bounds and started its run. After few seconds, it lost touch of the ground. I could still feel the jittery feeling in my feet. And in no time it just soared so high that Kolkata airport was no more than a jigsaw puzzle. From above nothing really matters anymore. All land, golf course water bodies were likes pieces of puzzle fitted together by a huge hand. And in a minute, we were above the clouds. Above the cloud was something like scene from the old Mahabharata movie. In childhood I always remembered the potion when Brahma with his three heads sat on his palace. The palace was all smoky. Now I knew where the idea of smoky palace came from. Those directors had traveled in aeroplanes in those days and were amazed when they too got above clouds.  They might have thought that nothing was more majestic and heavenly than the view from above clouds. This was my theory regarding why old mythical serials have Devas and Devi in the smoky palace. After two and half hours, we finally arrived at the destination. Chennai here I come. The landing was much more interesting than the takeoff. When plane landed, I could feel a lump in my throat. Partly it was due to the plane’s deceleration. And mainly it was because this journey has come to an end. I needed more courage to carry on forward. 

(If you still feel like reading after going through this painfully ” long article” and not becoming a myopic, read part II. Else take rest and be sure to come back and read part II, where I will discuss about my medical experience)