GUWAHATI, May 18 � They made the State proud by their success, which they achieved through a planned approach, determination, and self-confidence. In the days ahead, they are expected to play lead roles in varied areas, in keeping with the tenets of the Indian Civil Services.
Dr Mannan Akhtar, and Priyanka Dhar, two successful candidates in this year�s Indian Civil Services (Main) Examination 2010 share their thoughts with the readers of The Assam Tribune.
Dr Mannan chose the IAS for he thought of it as an extension of something he liked, a service to people in need. �As a medico I was being limited to just a very few people, and it was more reactive than being proactive. Thus I shifted my focus to ICS so that I can make an impact at a larger level in people�s life�, he said.
He had done his schooling spread over Haflong, Bongaigaon and Tezpur. He studied in GMCH from 2003-09, including a one-year internship. At the end he was the overall topper in his batch .
In the IAS examination, his subjects were Medical Science and Geography. He selected Medical Science as he was always good in it and took geography as it would help him in general studies and also because it was a subject he had always found interesting.
His preparation consisted of reading newspapers, needed both for current affairs and traditional subjects for GS in both prelims and mains. Then for GS, he gave stress on the traditional subjects like modern Indian history, polity and economics. Preparation for Math�s, Aptitude and Statistics (for mains) required around a month�s time.
�I studied my optional subject topic wise finishing one topic at a time. I mixed the subjects and GS studies for prelims but for mains I studied one subject at a time as I had time for revising each before each subject�s examination.
He made special efforts in Economics, as it required hard work to understand the basics, and �I found geographical thought the toughest topic so I referred to a lot of books for its answers�.
On the issue of being coached in New Delhi-based institutions, he said. �I think it�s not necessary but you need motivation, study material and environment for studies. More then the coaching, it was the environment which I think affected me positively.�
Dr Mannan�s advice to aspirants is clear, �Always give your best shot with full dedication and hard work. It�s not the result but your satisfaction that this is the best I could have done.
Another successful candidate, Priyanka Dhar, a B Tech in Electronics and Communication and an MBA, decided on entering the Civil Services.
For the exam she opted for Geography and Public Administration. Geography helped her in understanding national and international issues, besides acquiring knowledge about the people, natural resources and spatial dimensions. She chose Public Administration as the major portion of its syllabus matches with the MBA syllabus of her Master�s Degree course.
Dhar revealed that she made extra efforts in general studies papers as it contained diverse areas ranging from History to mathematical abilities and the Current Affairs, Economics, Geography, and Science and Technology.
On being coached in New Delhi she mentioned, since the syllabus is very exhaustive, therefore, it does require systematic approach and proper guidance about the line of action as regards selection of books, methodology, critical analysis of subjects and stress management. �New Delhi is hub of civil services coaching where the aspirants from all over India assemble and there is a competitive atmosphere which is very much required for the preparation of this examination�, she noted.
Thanking her parents and her teachers for contributing to her success, she said a positive approach helped her. �Optimistic approach, hard work and dedicated efforts� are the basic mantras for the success in this exam�, she remarked.
