Self Respect Vs Government Job

Let's make it two in a month this time. The situation was so important that I could not resist myself to make it a lifelong memory. Plus the weather is inspiring me to put on my writing shoes. 14th of July, it was a Saturday so I could relax a bit from the hectic office schedule. Monsoon is already in. Sitting in balcony, enjoying cool breeze, my mind is forcing me to write about the incident.

"Chief Sahab is coming 14th and 15th July for important meeting with CM, so you need to arrange for his stay and make him at ease during his stay", were the words when my XEN invited me to his cabin on the previous morning (obviously in Punjabi version). I said "ok" and left the room. Though it was an order from XEN but still I was not prepared for the same as I thought it would be disgraceful on my part to act as a hotel manager. I did not want to be a "Ginnie" who completes every demand of his "Aakka".

Next day, keeping beside self esteem, I went to the place where he was going to stay and checked if everything is fine. After checking, I left the place leaving behind my subordinated to look after him since he was already on his way to reach the location with my XEN. I called my XEN to tell him about the rooms and made a lame excuse about my absence. He was annoyed and hanged up the phone warning me indirectly.

Perspective no. 1 :

Though JEs made it sure that he was made feel good about the arrangements yet my absence was not tolerable.

Perspective no. 2 :

Who cares about who has served until everything has been served perfectly (ironically, in government sector).

Perspective no. 3:

I could have stayed for his welcome and then would have left.

This blog is more about raising a question and finding an answer to the same. Though the situation is related to my own life but you guys must have experienced the same or at least could give an answer surely.

Regards

Parul Goyal

How I Met "The Ganga"

I was still in depression due to the bad experience I had on my birthday last month. In the mean time, I got a refreshing call from one of my close friends who was planning a trip to Rishikesh for rafting. Though I really needed a break from the hectic and busy schedule I had been coping with yet I nodded to join in halfheartedly. Because these days I am never sure of making up to any commitment until the last moment due to the nature of work I am into.

It was 15th June when I came to know that already six people were in to reach Rishikesh on 16th. Two of them were going to board a bus from Chandigarh on 16th early morning. Finally, on 15th evening, I also somehow managed to leave for Chandigarh to accompany them. Though it took me five and half hour to reach Chandigarh but the expedition was not that great to be narrated here. The other group, which was coming from Delhi by their own taxi, called us around 5.30 am on 16th after reaching at Har Ki Pauri. That was the time when we realized that we were abnormally late as we were still in our beds back in Chandigarh.

"Chandigarh to Haridwar" journey by a Chandigarh Transport Bus which was supposed to take around 4 hours, actually took us 6 hours due to traffic jams. In the mean time, we directed the other group to move to Rishikesh and search for the best suited Rafting and Camping package. We managed to reach Haridwar around 1pm. The Sun, heat, humidity and crowd; all were on their full swing and so were we. We had our lunch at Haridwar only and hired an auto to Rishikesh. It was 3.30pm when we met them in a hotel room which they had hired after we had made them wait endlessly.

After getting refreshed, all seven of us left for the real adventure. The sun was about to set so we opted for camping for the night and then rafting on next morning. As soon as I reached the location, I was enthralled to see the view; At some footsteps, The Ganga was flowing with mountains on the other side of river. Besides our group, plenty of other people were also there; some were just chit chatting outside their tents, some were playing with water and others were enjoying hot "Pakoras" with a cup of tea. From getting wet in waters to making sand castles on beach, from playing Antakhshari to talking on serious issues , from having dinner in a cliff tent to having mangoes on beaches of The Ganga, I enjoyed it all during my stay.

Next Morning, after having breakfast we headed towards our rafting starting point. Out of 7, only 2 of us had experienced it before and rest 5 were new to the adventure. As soon as our raft plunged into water, we all started shouting, screaming with joy. Within no time, we reached our first rapid and without any difficulty we crossed it successfully. Likewise we crossed all 5 rapids in the route and finally reached the cliff jumping point. The moment, I jumped into water from a height of about 25 ft, I was blank and remained so until I came back on the surface. In 3 hours or so, our raft dropped us under Ram Jhula after covering 24kms. The experience was truly awesome.

Our journey could not be completed until we pay our worships at Har Ki Pauri and seek blessings of The Ganga. As the Delhi group had their own taxi, reached earlier & took the holy bath and left for their destination. After doing our bit, we, also, boarded a train going towards Ambala. Thanks to smart mobile phones which helped us to search for various train options and we got the one. The journey was way more comfortable than the earlier one. The train reached Ambala by 8pm. They both took a bus to Chandigarh and I waited for a train to Bathinda which was scheduled to leave at 11.45pm. Next day, I managed to reach Bathinda by 3.30am and bunked office on Monday.

Regads

Parul Goyal

An unusual day with usual routine

23rd May,2012; I turned 25. I had completed silver jubilee of my life. But the feeling was not that great as another year of my life had passed. I could have done some amazing things in that year which I did not. But I am determined to live the forthcoming one to its fullest (self motivation has always been my biggest support).

In everyone's life, his or her birth anniversary has a special place. This is the one day when they expect their beloved ones to greet them in lieu of which they don't even sleep on the previous night expecting and attending the birthday wishing calls. In my case, neither I waited nor somebody called. In fact, 22nd may was very hectic day from official work point of view so I had a very sound sleep on the preceding night.

The day started with an usual routine. First of all, I received a call from my family followed by some friends wishes. Then my mobile was blinking with incoming call named XEN. I was shocked and picked up the phone expecting a wish named "Happy Birthday SDO saab". But that did not happen. He asked to attend a meeting with Commissioner on 9 am sharp at his office and he hung up. How could I be so foolish to expect a birthday wish from XEN? But that call surely ruined my plan of wearing some casual stuff ('coz I wanted to give a hint to everyone in the office) and I ended up with a formal attire. Hard luck!!!

After attending meeting, I reached my office. Everything was normal; Some letters were to be marked, some meetings were in the schedule etc. All of a sudden, my clerk wished me. I was pleasantly surprised. She remembered it as we had talked about it some days ago while I was filling up police verification form. I instructed her not to tell anybody ( but what I really meant was exactly opposite) and she did not as she took my instructions too seriously. Hard Luck!!! There was again a meeting scheduled at DC office at 11 am which I had to attend on behalf of the XEN as he had left for head office that morning only.

In the mean time, I started getting some messages and calls from other friends too but I could not attend because I was sitting right in front of DC discussing progress of various water supply related issues in the city. Hard Luck!!! Whole day I was craving for the wishes but I was not feeling lucky enough to get them. Then I went onto some site visits in the city where local people were waiting for me so that they could share their water related woes (Or should I say so that they could burst out their anger and held me responsible for all the problems in their respective homes).

It was six 'o clock when I left for my room. I had spent my birthday in a way that nobody would ever want to (But it made me write about it). Still I logged onto my Facebook account hoping for some positive results. My wall was full of sweet wishes. It really made my happy and the whole day frustration turned into a big smile. Facebook is a place where everybody logs into, once in a day for sure and in those few minutes spent on it, they get updated about the world and for me, it proved blissful. That's how an unusual day was spent with an usual routine and ended on a happy note.

Regards

Parul Goyal

Just like a Sunday in NCR....

It's been the first weekend In the last four months that I have enjoyed spending In Bathinda. On Saturday only, I thought of spending It the way I want 'coz I was totally frustrated with the kind of job I was Into and the kind of pressure I was put under. So I thought to take a day off from the busy schedule that I usually followed even on Sundays.

The day started with a one liter bottle full of water as always (for obvious reasons!!!). Then I looked over the newspaper (a Punjabi one) to look out for some pictures and stories about bollywood. From there I got to know about the latest release "the Vicky Donor". I planned to watch out the movie all alone. I moved out of home In my casuals after having my three "Alloo Pranthas" . As soon as reached the mall, got to know that the first show was at 11am (about one hour later). I thought to spend the one hour on the net so I headed towards a cyber cafe.

The moment I was about to enter the cafe, I got a call from my XEN Informing me about the meeting which Commissioner had planned suddenly at 11 am. He was always Interested In having meetings with our department on holidays/Weekends as he did not want waste his precious time during working days on a boring & complicated subject such as water supply for the whole city (that's what I think). "F**k him, I wanted to spend this Sunday the way I wanted" were the words I could think of at that moment. I rushed towards my room back to change my attire to a formal one. The meeting was about the water crisis In the city, measures to take care of It and to prepare a contingency plan for handling the problem.

At around 1 pm, as soon as the meeting ended, I reached mall and Inquired about the next show which was scheduled on 1.45 pm. I had around 30 minutes with me. strolling In the mall, I came across my favorite food joint "subway". I had not even had one for many months and after passing by It, I could not resist myself from having one "Sub" with lots of mayonnaise. In Punjab they charged vat extra while It was Included In 70 only In NCR. I took my time to have that one In my stomach tasting every bit of It.

The picture started with a bang. Within few minutes I was fully into it leaving behind all my worries. I was completely In a different zone. I enjoyed the movie till the last scene. After it ended, I felt light and delightful. "Paani da Rang" song just blew my mind away. I reached home by 5pm. I cooked myself a "Maggi" (my favorite snack).While I was just relaxing In my room, all of a sudden It started raining. Oh man! first rain of summer 2012. It had to be celebrated. I ran up to roof Instantly. Though I kept myself away from rain except feeling few drops yet I welcomed it with open arms. The weather was awesome, mood was good, everything seemed so relaxed and enchanting at the same time.

I needed this change desperately from the hectic schedule of my life. It was such a relief. Though I was alone yet I did not feel lonely during the whole day. It refreshed memories of Noida like watching movies on almost every weekend, no office on Sundays, enjoying the weather, cooking in the kitchen etc. Hoping for some more Sundays like it.

Regards

Parul Goyal

Summers-I 'm Hating it

It's 6 am in the morning of mid April 2012. Sun is yet to remove the darkness fully. Yawning and amidst the chirpings of birds, I am trying to concentrate on my past month happenings and feelings related to it. This blog is special in itself as it is the first blog which is being scripted on my own laptop. Early mornings have never been my cup of tea rather I have always wished to work till late nights. This time I am ready to explore this side of a day also. Freshness in the air is hard to resist. Traffic sounds are also minimum. Whether all these factors will help in bringing out the best out of me or not, we will figure out soon.

Since the summer season is already on, the first requirement for everybody is water. One day without it, would result anger and dissatisfaction in public. This is where my role comes into picture. I cannot even dare to think about not supplying water to the city even if the circumstances demand so. Either I need to ensure the proper supply or I need to keep myself ready for listening to public comments and outcries. In all, I could not even think of doing a mistake even unconsciously and if I had done it then I could not get away with it without bearing its consequences. on the lighter side, I had my first party in the government job. The occasion was SE's retirement and the venue was a five star hotel. A female singer was invited to set the mood with some gazals. She tried her best but everybody wanted to pump up the beats. In the end, the troop put the punjabi music on and we can't resist ourselves to matchup the beats on the dance floor. It was the first time in last 4 months that I had danced and enjoyed myself. Though I was missing my friends and bollywood music still it was a good fun.

But I could not keep the happiness for long due to obvious reasons as explained above. Sirhind canal, the only source of water for main water works in Bathinda, got closed for 25 days and to worsen the situation, the storage in the tanks was already less so it resulted in major crisis of water in Bathinda city that too in hot & humid summers. I had dealt with major structural problems in my professional life but this kind of problem I had never come across. Supply was decreased substantially, water tankers were arranged to smoothen the situation but all in vain and once again I failed to establish myself as a responsible officer.

Regards

Parul Goyal

A Government Officer in the making

Another month passed; now it's been more than 3 months being an SDO. March 2012, the month started with a movement called "Water crisis in Bathinda". After getting instructions from my XEN, I got a work started of a pipe repair. It is a main pipe starting from main water works in Bathinda which controls the water supply in the city. To get it repaired, I needed to cut off the supply. For the pipe repairing, it took our men almost 4 days and for those 4 days, water crisis in the city was spreading like an endemic disease.

For a while I thought, whether I might had taken a wrong decision to get it repaired? To increase the woes, annoyed and frustrated common people started visiting the site with their empty buckets to make me realize the gravity of situation. Moreover, I was bombarded with indefinite number of calls from city residents, political leaders etc. Even the press people interviewed me searching for some hotshots. After the movement, as the situation settled & after many sleepless nights, I realized the sense of responsibility as an SDO towards the public.

It was one of the incidents which made me understood the meaning of a gazetted government post and the responsibilities related to it. Generally people have very different opinion about the government job and with same frame of mind I joined but now I find it absolutely opposite.


Regards
PARUL GOYAL

An Irresponsible Officer

Do you guys believe in the saying that some special kind of jobs are meant for special kind of persons? I am trying to find the answer these days. Whether it is a myth or a reality? As far as I am concerned, as a next edition to my last blog, my answer to this question has also got changed. Now I believe that it is a reality. Earlier it was other way around. I took almost two months to understand the expectations of an officer at a higher rank in government service. No matter how much work you do, no matter how responsibly you handle your staff, seniors are there always to degrade you. It’s just that you need to be an irresponsible officer all the time.


Though I have moulded myself accordingly but I would definitely like to emphasize on the fact that private and government sector are two completely different world. You can not work in a government sector keeping in mind your private sector values & ethics, if any. The moment you are ready to hear insulting comments from your seniors without your mistake and ready not to expect any kind of appreciation, you are perfect for government services. On the other hand, if we talk about the juniors. You will always have to be dissatisfied with their work.


So the chain gets continued till it ends.