Thoughts & After-thoughts !

 On a chilly morning, while traveling to Leh from Kargil, I noticed a few labourers of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) at the heights of Photu la and Namik la. The temperature was -16 degree Celsius and those workers were on to their daily duties of road maintenance. Among those, I observed one lady (perhaps from the Central India) who was busy with her routine duties. Carrying a broom in her hand she was cleaning the road, of the debris that falls on the road as shooting stones and slides. Apart from the broom, she was also carrying a bundle of firewood tied to her back, perhaps to light a fire by the roadside for keeping herself and her companions warm amidst the chilly weather. I was awestruck and a sense of gratitude took over me ! What conditions would have compelled her and her fellow workers to travel thousands of miles to the harsh conditions of Ladakh to make a living, I thought. Certainly, it wouldn't be a choice she made out of her sheer will ! Our lives are similar...

Whilst the outside temperature is chilling -10 degree Celsius, Satinder Sartaj playlist is playing in the cozy warmth of my room at Leh. As the song Ikko Mikke played, the following lyrics struck to my mind: Sab mitt gaye ne atak adike Dasso ji hunn ki likhiye haaye Hoye main te sajjan ikko mikke Dasso ji hunn ki likhiye... Intrigued about the meaning of the lyrics, I discussed them with my friend and colleague Mohit: all the obstacles on my way have vanished, tell me what do i write now; I and my lover have become one, tell me what do I write now, he explained. What a beautiful song I exclaimed; the philosophy of life is summarized melodiously !  What would our life be, if its not eventful, full of twists and turns, I thought ! What would one have with to write or tell  others about his/ her journey if the life is monotonous, isn't eventful ? Thank God, we have eventful lives, full of happiness, sorrows, anxious moments, heartbreaks, failure, success, accomplishments et...

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...

About me: Hometown : Sunderbani, Distt. Rajouri, J&K. Education : B.Tech. ECE. Hobbies/Interests : Playing Cricket, Experimental Cooking, Attending Panel Discussuions. Optional : Public Administration. Board: Dr. TCA Anant (All male panel). Total 5 members. From entering the gates of UPSC (Dholpur Bhawan) till the verification of documents, I had this natural anxiety and nervousness. But, while interacting with fellow candidates, and waiting for my turn my anxiety gradually went away. At the time of being lead towards the Board room, I was somehow getting positive vibes about my Interview. While waiting outside the room for my turn, I had around 10 minutes to get myself prepared for the “final encounter” with the board members. I quickly scanned the surroundings around me, reading the room nos. in the corridors, name of office bearers etc. (perhaps preparing myself for those “unexpected questions” about situational awareness). I took a few deep breaths t...

Hello Everyone! Today, I intend to share my own experience of returning home amid Lockdown restrictions during COVID-19 pandemic. Since I am Civil Service aspirant, therefore this post will be an experience sharing cum critical appraisal  of the administrative setup, through the prism of my own expectation from the administration. As the title suggests, I returned from Delhi to my hometown Sunderbani, District Rajouri, J&K. I was stuck at Delhi where I had appeared for my Personality Test ( Interview ) on March 17 for this year's UPSC Civil Services Examination. I planned to return home somewhere around 22/23 March, 2020 after I received the report of my Medical Examination. But, as with several others, my plan could not be realised because of the nationwide Lockdown announced on March 23. So, after a wait of about 2 months I planned to return home by Train on May 18th. But, on 17th Morning one of my friends sent me a video on WhatsApp where people who had arrived by train...