To all who want the exam to happen when cases soar to 1Lakh+/day,
There are a couple of questions which are bothering me for a while, please help me find the answers.
- Should a husband whose wife will be 5-9 months pregnant on the day of the exam travel 100-150KM and give the exam?
- What about a woman who is pregnant?
Note: Considering that this would be their last attempt.
(Edit)
I hope these questions cross the minds of UPSC or Government or whoever decides the exam dates.
Earlier I was worried if I would infect my kin after giving the exam travelling 150Km. Now it's a different game.
My wife is infected along with her whole family, out of 7 members (two houses - ours and my wife's parents) I am the only one who is not infected yet. I just think I am a bit late for the party. There is a high chance that I will be infected in the next few days, I just hope I don't show up weak on the exam day. I am not complaining about the last ten days especially about the pressure or the number of visits to the hospitals or to get tested (3 times till now) when my temperature is more than normal but I couldn't stop thinking about how 2 or 3-step exams like this are being conducted.
I just wanted to say that this is not right, this is not how pandemics are dealt with. I sincerely hope that the selected candidates from this thread/year be more empathetic, sensible, and revolutionary. I lost respect to the previously selected candidates who didn't utter a single word about the prevailing situation or represent the problems of the aspirants. I am not proud of this exam anymore.
Funny thing is I would be 32+ next year and this would be my last attempt.
This is just a humble post requesting everyone to resist themadness.
Before I get to the actual point, I agree that the exam shattered the hopes of many honest UPSC aspirants. I think we deserved it since we all are responsible for making it a mindless game. Regarding the question paper, I don't have anything to say, since there is no definite syllabus it will always be unpredictable. But I am concerned about how/what we have become in the process.
Unfortunately, including myself, I found the average aspirant wasn't peaceful in the forums/channels for the last couple of months (or more?).
I think it's time we should realize how we are part of this spectacular comedy by
- Glorifying the preparation and spending years of our time.
You might be tempted to say that with years of preparation, we become more sane, intellectual, or rational. Maybe that's true but what about the anxiety, fear, and the funny speculations. I don't think these raw emotions ever subside. Pride is pointless to even if it about gaining knowledge. Many of us have to get out of this limbo.
- Complicating the process by relying on compilations, every topper's gyaan, and too many mocks.
- Leaving the job.
Remember that you are bound to be tensed and make mistakes when the livelihood/future depends only on one thing i.e., an exam with an unpredictable process which involves prelims demanding smart elimination, mains with manual correction, and interviews which can't be 100% unbiased.
Can we make this journey sweet and breezy? Probably yes, by
- Not leaving the jobs.
- Preparing for 2-4hours only but consistently for a year.
- Not glorifying the preparation process.
- Realizing that it is just an exam that recruits only 1000 members/year. Attempting other recruiting exams as well if interested.
- Not forgetting that the final exam also wants you to be cool as a cucumber.
Obviously, the above won't apply if you are an extra-ordinary mind and can stay peaceful even during an apocalypse. This is for average aspirants like me.
Finally, keep it simple silly.
PS: This would be my final post/ranting in the forum. Thanks to all the beautiful souls who have been helping others to be cheerful/peaceful or sharing notes/important-topics/analysis, I sincerely bow to all of them for making this world a better place.
