Thoughts & After-thoughts !

Life is a journey rich with daily lessons, new experiences, and evolving relationships. It isn’t meant to be static; rather, it’s a blend of stability and fluidity, shaped by each moment's joys and challenges. Just as stagnant water turns stale and breeds decay, a life that resists change can lose its vitality, becoming a source of stress and dissatisfaction. There’s a subtle yet powerful difference between being stable and being static. Stability brings inner strength and resilience, allowing us to navigate the changing currents of life with a steady hand. Staticness, on the other hand, can trap us in routines and limitations, making us immune to growth and evolution. Life, in essence, is about maintaining balance—grounded yet adaptable to the winds of change.   While stability in our purpose is essential, we should remain open to the flow of change. The scriptures emphasize that life is a play of opposites, and one must neither cling to joys nor despair over sorrows. Stability is...

 As I write this piece today on Mother's Day 2024, I am drenched deep into the everlasting memories inscribed on my heart and mind. The memories of my late mother whom I lost in her physical form in this fateful month of May, the 21st Day, in the year 2016- Budhha Purnima.  If you have read my recent blogs, you would be familiar with certain incidents I have mentioned about her during her last days on earth. But, today I feel like giving some details. (Caution: These are sheer emotions, and you might feel emotionally overpowered reading some portions) Born to a father who was a Govt. Teacher and a house-maker mother, Late Smt. Rampyari Sharma (my mother) was the eldest among her 5 siblings (4 Sisters & 1 Brother). The parents had migrated from the now PoK of then undivided India when they had not even entered their teens. My maternal grandfather ( Nanu ji ) had to leave literally everything (even his parents) while escaping from his then hometown in PoK in the aftermath of...

The Indian middle-class family is a vibrant tapestry woven with strong bonds, unwavering values, and a burning ambition to rise. In these households, respect for elders and extended family is paramount. Social gatherings and festivals are a time for joyous celebration, strengthening the connections that define them. Remember those massive Diwali celebrations, overflowing with sweets and enough relatives to fill a Bollywood movie? Remember those Holi celebrations where you had the fun of your life with your siblings, friends and relatives, your faces and clothes donned in a mix hue of vibrant colors, of-course at the cost of scoldings and even beatings from your mother for spoiling the household with water and colors spilled everywhere? Remember those summer vacations, and those days off after the term-end exams? - inarguably the most awaited time of the year! Or for that matter, remember, those moments of a tragedy in your family or relations, where the entire society comes together t...

 Humans are interesting creatures, for they have social relations, dreams and aspirations. These are the traits which arguably distinguish us from the rest of the creatures. And our lives are a constant flux and trade-off between our dreams, aspirations and the imminent reality. There is a trade-off between the short term hustle and the long term tranquility, between self -interest and the bigger picture we tend to ignore in pursuit of the self -interest. There is often a trade-off between social relations, responsibilities/duties and our personal goals. More often than not we tend to ignore the former for the latter. Think of the instances in your life where you have done that. But, above all, it is the realisation of it that strikes you at some point in your life.  From my own experience, I have realised that not every cost for the so called glory is worth the price. This doesn't mean that I am promoting mediocrity. It's just the cost for the success that I want you to facto...

The results of JKPSC CCE (JKAS) Mains have been declared yesterday. Have been receiving quite a few queries regarding how to prepare for Personality Test (PT) for JKAS. So, sharing this piece: ( My Perspective)    First of all, congratulations to all those who have qualified for the PT stage. You are one step closer to your goal. But, for those who unfortunately couldn't qualify, Don't lose heart. Its natural to feel bad/low or dejected at this stage. But you must also realise that its just another competitive exam. If you are planning to appear again, then relax for sometime, take a short break to rejuvenate yourself, then continue with preparations. But, in case you don't have chances left or don't want to continue with this exam, then its equally fine. Look for other opportunities. You will find many (which are even better than this).  First Thing First: My PT Score: 1. 173 in UPSC CSE 2019;  2. 183.75 in JKPSC CCE 2020. As mostly said, Interview (PT) is not the t...

(Disclaimer: The following content is based mostly on my own perception, observations and limited experience whatever I have gathered so far as a rookie Civil Servant: still too young to make these sweeping observations though).  I had been seriously pursuing Civil Services as a career option right from Senior Secondary (School) days. The zeal and urge for becoming an IAS went on increasing thereafter so much so that I still remember, during our first (official) introduction at College, I straightaway introduced myself as an aspirant whose dream is to become a Civil Servant (read IAS). I hope, now you can relate to what must have been going through my mind when I said those words! Anyways, I kept on pursuing this dream of mine from college days and joined a Coaching in Delhi straightaway after graduation (B.Tech.) in 2016, though I had a placement offer of TCS in my kitty then. Fast forward to 5 attempts at UPSC so far (2 Mains, 1 Interview) and 2 attempts at state (now UT) PCS, wh...