In the run-up to 2019 UPSC (IAS/IPS/IFS) examination are thehundreds of
aspirants from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Although theselections quantitatively each
year aren’t anywhere near the numbers in other states, yetthe state produced impactful toppers and brilliant officers. From thebreakthrough success of Dr Shah Faesal to the dashing Athar Amir; the belief ofthe Kashmiri youth in their latent abilities has cemented. What ensued was nolooking back, a series of success stories from the towns, villages. and citiesalike, until the last year’s abysmal figures from the region.
Though there have been lesser jubilations in between, butthe current fall is jaw-dropping, particularly and has thrown many heads aroundthe tables into discussions and debates about the possible reasons and likelyoutcomes. What impact would it have on pursuit of cracking the examination thatstands out as one of the toughest examinations in the world, is to be seen.Pertinently, what led to the debacle last year can’t be attributed to a singlefactor, rather a series of mishaps snowballing into a despairing outcome.
The impression that getting into civil services is one ofthe ways to solve problems of the landlocked state, is in no mood to leave theperceptions of the good chunk of populace. What makes this an apparent realityis the mayhem of maladministration prevailing in all the regions of the state.The political sentiments too find a refuge in the fact that the record of theadministrators serving in the state since its accession with the union doesn’tproduce expected results when put to test. The state stands next to only Bihar(2005 Survey by Centre for Media Studies, CMS) in rising corruption rank. Thishas just improved a little to put it at the 5th most corrupt state afterMaharashtra (CMS Survey 2017).
What adds to frustration is the fact that KashmirAdministrative Services examinations, particularly the 2016 examinations, havebecome more of an impediment than an upward ladder. Stretching it for threeyears now without an end in sight, has had a greater role played in dwindlingthese numbers. But the tale ends not here!
The untimely resignation of the trend-setter Faesal weighsheavy when looking vis-a-vis the state of affairs in the valley. Coming outwith the statements like, “I felt being in a prison in all these ten years ofservice”, may further dampen the spirits. Would Faesal find better arguments tosuffice now for a person who left the services in such a manner becoming aguiding light for others?
Lacking the means and methods in providing a peacefulambience and breeding atmosphere to the youth in general, and student communityin particular, the state
doesn’t let its flowers bloom for the larger good of thesociety. Channeling the anger on the streets into a useful resource forrebuilding the state is a daunting task ahead for both the mainstream as wellas the Hurriyat leadership alike. Moreover, promoting the qualifiers, if any,as youth icons is all too important.
There is a dire need of putting a streak of passion in thedirection of reclaiming the space in this esteemed examination. Perseverance,persistence and patience – along with hope, and a lasting belief in both thesystem and in oneself is the prerequisite. For a Kashmiri aspirant, a must havetraits to survive the odds prevailing at the place. Come what may, theopportunities to serve are there and would be grabbed by one or other if not byus. There is no point losing the hope because of the last setback suffered inthe numbers.
It is not just any other gatecrashing entrance to secure ajob with the central government, but a life changing experience, complementedwith the dynamic leadership skill and holistic development of a person. Itendows more than it consumes from oneself while journeying through itsdifferent phases. Even if one loses its mantle, the gains come around inanother form. The chronic gloom has to end today, tomorrow or some other day.To put it in a simplest poetic liner aisi bi koi shaam hai jiski sehr na ho.
Good Luck to all the aspirants from the state, and beyond!
Ahmad Masood is an IAS Aspirant.