APPENDIX - I
SAMPLE INTERVIEWS
Name: Vineel Krishna
Interview: CS 2004
Date: 11.4.05
Chairman of the Interview panel: Gurubachan Singh Jagat
The following interview proceedings are as far as could be recollected. It should be having 90% accuracy with respect to the questions asked and the answers given. The interview proceeded in a very cordial and smooth manner. The members were relaxed and smiling all the time. The interview was the first in the afternoon session.
Vineel Krishna: May I come in ,sir.
GSJ: Yes, Please come in.
VK: Thank You Sir, and Good Afternoon to you all.
GSJ: Good Afternoon Mr. Vineel
VK: Thank You, Sir.
GSJ: Mr. Vineel, I see that you are from IIT Madras. Did you not get any campus placement?
VK: Sir, I got placement as Systems Engineer in WIPRO Technologies. But, I did not join the job.
GSJ: What is the reason?
VK: Sir, I had already chosen Civil services as my career. I wanted to have a single focus on the exam. If I had joined the job, neither would I have satisfied the job nor the exam. So, I did not join the job, sir.
GSJ: Why do you want to join the Civil Services?
VK: Sir, I want to be part of the developmental activities. I am also attracted by the challenging and diverse nature of the job. The opportunity provided to make a positive impact on the society, is unparalleled by any other job.
GSJ: But don’t you think the scope of bureaucrats has reduced. Your friends must be in good jobs and some must have gone abroad. They must be doing well there. Why do you want to swim against the current?
VK: Sir, I am just listening to my inner voice, which says that this is the area where I must be and doing which I would realize my potential. Regarding the scope of bureaucrats, sir, I agree that there is reduction. But I feel that the govt. is finally concentrating on the core areas.
GSJ: Can you explain it?
VK: Sir, previously, the govt. expanded into unnecessary areas like running hotels, where its presence is not really required. Now, the govt. is focusing on the core areas like social sector – education, health, etc.
GSJ: I see that you played cricket. Are you still involved?
VK: No Sir, I used to play it during school and University days.
GSJ: Why are you not playing it now?
VK: Sir, I don’t have the opportunity now. To play cricket we need a team and presently, I don’t have one.
GSJ: So, you don’t do anything for physical fitness?!
VK: Sir, I go for jogging every day and also I practice yoga and pranayama.
GSJ: Is it Art of Living or…
VK: Yes sir, I practice the Sudarshana Kriya of Art of Living.
GSJ: How much distance do you run every day?
VK: Well sir, I go to the ground and then decide upon the rounds and ensure that I complete it, come what may. Usually it is around 8-9 rounds sir, approx. 3-4 km.
GSJ: Interestingly, you worked as Sub-editor of a magazine. Can you explain this?
VK: Sir, I worked for this Telugu youth magazine. It caters to the educational and career requirements of the rural youth sir. I was contributing for their Science and technology section. Since I was following the current affairs part and since it also helps me in exam preparation, I joined the job.
GSJ: What is its circulation?
VK: It is around 12000, sir.
GSJ: Mr. Vineel, you come from
VK: Yes sir, the previous govt. under Chandrababu Naidu, had special focus on
GSJ: Is there any problem with respect to housing?
VK: Yes sir, there is a problem, especially for the lower income group to find low cost accommodation. There has also been a concern regarding slum growth in recent times.
GSJ: What do you know about “Women Empowerment”?
VK: Sir, Women empowerment is about providing the necessary tools to the women so that they can over come the discrimination against them. So that, they can stand on their own and realize their potential. It involves various dimensions like social empowerment, political empowerment and economic empowerment. There are various measures like providing education and job reservations , as done in our state, then providing legal frame work, say against dowry, sexual harassment etc, then providing inheritance right to property etc.
GSJ: You said discrimination, how?
VK: Sir, woman is subjected to discrimination right from the birth. In many families, there are no celebrations when a girl child is born. Then with respect to provision of nutritious food, the male child is given preference. Also, the education of girl is a lesser priority. Then, after puberty, the sole concern of the parents is to marry her off some how. The further education of girl is highly discouraged and she is not allowed to stand on her feet. She is made dependent forever and therefore, the discrimination continues lifelong.
GSJ: In fact the discrimination starts in the womb itself, you must have heard of
female foeticide…
VK: Yes sir, unfortunately in many places they conduct pre-natal tests and the female foetus is killed.
GSJ: What do you know about women’s reservation?
VK: Sir, there is a bill pending in the Parliament which provides for one-third reservation to the women in the Parliament and the State legislatures. But there is no consensus among the political parties.
GSJ: We have already provided for reservations in the PRIs. But there seems to be some problem…
VK: Yes sir, it has been observed that in many cases her husband or brother or relatives influence the woman member. There is a proxy rule.
1st member: Mr. Vineel, do you have any understanding about rural areas?
VK: Yes sir, I often go to my grand parent’s place.
1m: Where is it situated?
VK: Sir, it is a village near Tenali, near
1m: Which geographical region does it fall under?
VK: Sir, it is in the central part of coastal Andhra.
1m: Can you name the geographical regions in AP and the cropping patterns?
VK: Sir, we have three regions, namely, telengana, coastal andhra and rayalseema. The coastal andhra grows mainly rice. The irrigation facilities are good and therefore, they have 2-3 crops per year. While, the Telengana and the Rayalseema regions are rainfed, depending on the monsoons and are in the rain shadow zone. The irrigation facilities are also less, so mainly there are some dry crops. In rayalseema , they grow groundnuts, and in Telengana, they grow Jowar and cotton.
1m: You said your parents live in Coastal…
VK: Excuse me sir, my father works in BHEL, its actually my grand parents who stay in village.
1m: ok, so coastal area is affected by cyclones. How are they formed?
VK: Sir, the cyclones are weather disturbances formed in tropical seas like the
1m: Which part of the year do they occur?
VK: Sir, during the Oct-Nov and also during May.
1m: Are you sure they occur in May?
VK: Sir, I remember that in 1991 they occurred during the month of May.
1m: What measures would you take for cyclone prevention?
VK: Sir, actually my B. Tech project was in AP cyclone hazard mitigation project (APCHMP). In that we were using the GIS – geographical information system, for cyclone warning and prevention of loss to life. The system is installed at all the coastal district head quarters. The network is integrated with the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD). The IMD gives information about the cyclone, its intensity and possible direction. Then, the district administration can get specific details of the villages that would be affected by storm surges. Immediately, evacuation orders can be given and suitable measures can be taken.
1m: What measures would you take as Head of the district?
VK: Sir, firstly the complete picture should be understood with the available information. The field level officials should be contacted and asked to take steps for evacuation to cyclone shelters. Then, the disciplined forces like police and the army should be alerted. Also, the state road transport buses should be kept ready. The health department should be prepared for any eventuality. In the long term, sir, the constructions along the coast should be regulated and proper standards should be maintained to withstand high wind speeds.
1m: What do you know about the disaster management in
VK: Sir, in
1m: Are you aware of any recent developments?
VK: Sir, in the wake of the recent Tsunami disaster, a need was felt for a comprehensive review as to how we should tackle disasters. So, there has been a decision to set up a National disaster management agency with centres at various strategic locations to tackle both natural and manmade disasters.
2member: Why is transparency in administration being given so much importance?
VK: Sir, there is a quotation that “corruption thrives in secret places”. The power of the corrupt people comes from the information that they possess and not available with the citizen. The transparency is about providing the citizen with the information about the services of the department and the processes involved. There are many tools being advocated like the Right to information, citizen’s charter, e-governance etc. This will help the citizen to be more clear about the quality of services to expect and how to deal in case of a grievance. The pressure will be there on the officials and the effectiveness of the administration will improve.
2m: what is the difference between Freedom and Right to Information?
VK: The NDA govt. is actually accused of diluting the original demand and instead giving a Freedom to Information Act. Now, the NCMP promises to introduce Right to Information Act. The basic difference is that if it is a right then the citizen will have more power and can initiate legal proceedings also. Otherwise, the official will have discretion in case it is a Freedom.
2m: In S&T, which area do you like the most?
VK: Sir, I like the Space technology.
2m:Can you explain the launch vehicle technology of
VK:
2m: Can you explain why the SLV 3 was a failure. What exactly went wrong?
VK: Sorry sir, I don’t know the technical details.
2m: Who led the team of SLV?
VK: Sir, it was led by the Honourable President APJ Abdul Kalam ji.
2m: What is the latest technology used in GSLV?
VK: Sir, the GSLV uses the cryogenic engine in its last stage. Presently, we are using Russian engines, but in near future our cryogenic engines will be ready.
2m: Why do we use cryogenics?
VK: Sir, with present technology only cryogenic engine can be used to place heavy satellites like INSAT in a high geo-stationary orbit. They use low temperatures and the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. It is a complicated technology.
2m: Do you know about
VK: Yes sir, its quite near to my place.
2m: What special things happen there?
VK: Sir, the university is known for its high standards. They have a very good social sciences department, then the management course is also good and the computer science department also has good reputation…
2m: What about the basic sciences?
VK: Yes sir, the basic science is also quite strong in HCU.
2m: What is the difference between Sudarshana Kriya and Kapala Bhati?
VK: Sorry sir, I don’t know.
2m: What technology developments take place in
VK: Sir,
2m: Can name the specific labs of DRDO here?
VK: Sorry sir, I don’t know the names.
2m: Any other area of defence tech, say, don’t you know about electronics and metallurgy…
VK: Yes sir, the metallurgy related developments are done in MIDHANI.
2m:MIDHANI?!
VK: Sir, I am not sure if it is only for production or if there is research lab attached to it.
2m: Can name some CSIR labs in Hyd.?
VK: Sir, we have the CCMB and the IICT, as far as my knowledge goes.
2m: can you name the research that takes place in IICT?
VK: sir, the Chemical related aspects are dealt in this lab. I don’t know the specific technologies, but I am aware that IICT is involved in developing alternatives to ozone
depleting substances like CFCs, so as to comply with the Montreal Protocol.
2m: But that does not involve
VK: Sir, the IICT is involved in the development of the alternative technology…
2m: Can you name the products developed?
VK: Sorry sir, I don’t know the exact technical names.
2m: Mr.Vineel, as a technologist, you must have thought about using creativity and innovation in improving the administration. Can you explain?
VK: Sir, I always believe that the technology can be used to improve administration to be more efficient and citizen friendly. To take a specific example, the biometric systems can be used. They can be applied in ensuring the attendance of the staff. In rural areas, often the staff is absent from there work. The biometric system can be used to ensure compliance. Also, it can be used in identifying the loan beneficiaries. Often, the same group in a village corners all the loans under different schemes. Using biometric systems, this can be avoided. Also…
2m: But these things are already being used. Tell me something more innovative?
VK: (pause for a couple of seconds to think)…
2m: ok ok,
3member: Mr.Vineel, are you proud to be an Indian?
VK: Of course sir, I am proud to be an Indian.
3m: Can you say why, some important factor…
VK: Sir , I particularly like the composite culture of
3m: What about the achievements in S&T, say in space technology?
VK: Yes sir, we are among handful nations who have the complete technology to manufacture and send satellites into space. Our remote sensing data is of high quality that even the
3m: Why do you think
VK: Sir, I think the visionary leadership of Vikram Sarabhai played a major role. He created leaders at various levels, which ensured the continuity of the programme…
3m: Don’t you think Nehru contributed…
VK: Yes sir, Nehru had a great role. He believed that technology can elevate the nation and provided the necessary resources and autonomy to the scientists like Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. The foundation was really quite strong.
3m: How will your technological background help you as an administrator?
VK: Sir, firstly I think the problem solving techniques learnt in engineering can as well be applied in administration. The technological background helps in a structured and logical framework of mind, which is useful in any problem-solving situation. Then, the tech orientation will always be at the back of the mind. So whenever any new technology comes, we tend to think how it can be applied in improving the administration. Also, sir, I have the contacts with my college friends who are now working in various technology areas and management. We keep discussing the developments on our e-groups. This gives me awareness in latest developments and how they can be applied in administration.
4m: Mr.Vineel, you are having a background in Telugu. I will ask you a question – “ Thinte garele thinali, vinte bharatame vinali” (telugu) who said this?
VK: …(pause) .. Sir, I think it is said by character in Gurajada’s play – “Kanyashulkam”.. (actually, a wrong answer)
4m: Who wrote Andhra mahabharatam?
VK: Sir, by Nannaya, Tikkana and Yerrapragada.
4m: Do you know about the Civil society- its characteristics and the status in
VK: Sir, Civil society is a broad term which includes ngos, pressure groups, trade unions etc. In fact, it is not properly defined and therefore can include any organisation, which is not related to govt., working on some area of public interest etc. The civil society organisations have developed well in the recent past in
4m: Can you name some civil society groups?
VK: Sir, we have Sulabh international, Human rights watch, PUCL, CSE, CRY etc.
4m. What do you understand by Third sector?
VK: It is other than the Public and the private sector, sir. In recent times, the Third sector has been given a major role.
4m: Can you specifically tell me the Maoists talks in AP?
VK: Sir, the previous elections had Maoist as the main issue. In fact, there was an assassination of the previous CM…
4m: Assassination or assassination attempt?!…
VK: Sorry sir, I meant assassination attempt. Then the early elections were called out on the issue. The Congress promised in its manifesto that peace talks will be initiated. Therefore after coming to power, the Congress govt initiated the talks and the …
4m: ok ok. Then, can you tell me about the Telengana movement. Not about TRS or recent elections, but specifically about the movement.
VK: Sir, the Telengana was part of the
4m: Ok Ok. Do you think small states will lead to development?
Vk: Sir, we have many small states which are backward, at the same time there are big states like
4m: But even in
VK: Yes sir, there are some relative differences in development. In fact, we cannot have a general rule that only a small state will lead to development. It really depends on the political and administrative skill as to how they use the resources optimally.
GSJ: You have a hobby of reading books. What kind of books do you read?
VK: Sir, I read all types –both fiction and non-fiction, in general. But I like reading
about the life stories of great people.
GSJ: Whose biography did you read recently?
VK: Sir, I was reading about Marie Curie, written by her daughter Eve Curie.
GSJ: Which is your favourite fiction?
VK: Sir, I like reading the novels of R. K. Narayan.
GSJ: Ok Mr.Vineel. Thank You.
VK: Thank You sir.
Finally, 201 marks were awarded for this interview. Rank-28
Name: Mutyalaraju Revu
Interview: CS 2006
Date: 17.4.07
Time:
Chairman of the Interview panel: Shri. Subir Datta (Retd. IAS)
Raju: May I come in Sir?
Chairman: Yes, please.
Raju: Good morning, Sir. Good morning, Madam. Good morning, Sirs.
Chairman: You are Mr...??
Raju: (Still in standing position), Matyalaraju Revu Sir.
(Chairman is writing something. Other members are keenly watching the candidate.)
Member 2: Please take your seat.
Raju: Thank you, sir.
Chairman: Mr. Revu, You did B.Tech from REC
Raju: Sir, After completion of my 10th class, based on my financial background, my father joined me in polytechnic. After completion of polytechnic, we do get jobs. Also, since I will get scholarship, the amount of money spent on me is less.
Chairman: That means you will get job after diploma.
Raju: Yes Sir, I got a private job. Company is Cain energy limited.
Chairman: Then, why did you join B.Tech?
Raju: Sir, After completion of my diploma, I wrote ECET and I got state 1st rank. So I convinced my father that I will join REC which is a premier Engineering institute in our state.
Chairman: Then, you joined ME because your father insisted on that?
Raju: No Sir, It is based on my project guide’s suggestion.
Sir, in fact there are two streams to enter into B.Tech. One through EAMCET after Intermediate and other is through ECET. After ECET...
Chairman: What question I have asked?
Raju: Sorry Sir, you have asked me why I joined ME after B.Tech.
Chairman: OK. Then stick on to the question.
Raju: Sir, I am explaining it.
Chairman: Be specific.
Raju: OK sir, during my final year I got all
Chairman: That means you are preparing for civil services while you are in IISc?
Raju: I beg to differ with you sir. I started my preparation only after completion of M.E.
Chairman: You have written that you joined Railways in September 2004. That is of which exam?
Raju: Sir, This is based on IES-2003.
Chairman: That means you are in IISc.
Raju: Sir, I completed my second semester at that time.
Chairman: That means you have prepared for IES in IISc.
Raju: Sir, I have given IES in my own background i.e., Electrical Engineering. Hence I need not prepare much for this exam. I just gave the exam.
Chairman: For how many years you are in Railways?
Raju: Sir, I joined Railways on September 2004. Then I took leave for 1 year, i.e., leave on loss of pay.
Chairman: What did you do in that year?
Raju: Sir, I have prepared for this exam.
Chairman: How many months you are in Railways?
Raju: Sir, roughly 5 months.
Chairman: That means you are in Railways till February.
Raju: Sir, I am in Railways till the result of civil services exam 2005 was out. I was given leave for interview preparation in March.
Chairman: Then what did you do after the declaration of the result?
Raju: Sir, Once the results were out, I came to know that I would get IPS. So, I convinced my director for leave to appear civil services again. My director gave me leave.
Chairman: When did you join IPS?
Raju: Sir, I joined IPS on
Chairman: Which part of training you missed?
Raju: Sir, I missed foundation training in Mussorie. At SVPNPA, training started on
Chairman: How many days you have taken leave for interview?
Raju: Sir, 4 days.
Member 2: How was your IPS training?
Raju: Sir, training is good and we are enjoying every aspect of training.
member 2: What are you learning in training?
Raju: Sir, our training is divided into two parts. Indoor and outdoor. In indoor, we have subjects like police in modern
Member 2: You are in IPS for 4 months. So I can ask some questions.
Raju: Yes, sir.
Member 2: Do you aware that the confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Why?
Raju: Yes sir. Confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Since there is always a possibility of getting the confession in the way the police like, law doesn’t allow it.
Member 2: What is Res gestae?
Raju: Sir, All the circumstances leading to the same transaction are allowable as evidence.
Member 2: You are on the line. Could you explain more?
Raju: (after 2-3 seconds), If some people wanted to commit dacoity and in the process if they theft a vehicle, even though theft of vehicle is not connected with dacoity but it is admissible as it forms the circumstance leading to dacoity.
Member 2: Could you tell me the section, which deals with Res gestae?
Raju: Sorry sir, I could not remember the exact section.
Member 2: Then how sections you were taught in IE Act?
Raju: Sir, In our academy our sirs are not teaching according to sections. They are teaching the sections which are more useful for the police at first.
Member 2: Do you aware of RTI?
Raju: Yes. Sir. It is Right to Information Act.
Member 2: What are the provisions in RTI?
Raju: Sir, According to provisions of RTI, every government department has to nominate one officer as information commissioner to give information about duties, responsibilities and functions of various officers working in those departments...
Member 2: Then what is the benefit to common man?
Raju: Sir, Common man can know the functions, duties & responsibilities of various officers. They can know the status of their applications. This also increases transparency and accountability of officers. Hence reduces corruption.
Member 2: How can you say that people will get required information?
Raju: Sir, There is a provision in RTI that any one who refuses to give information or delays 30 days for giving information, they are liable for cut in salary.
Member 2: How much salary cut?
Raju: Sir, I think it is 250 Rs./ day.
Member 2: It is not cut from salary. It is separately cut.
Raju: Thank you Sir.
Member 2: Can you tell me what is the maximum limit?
Raju: Sorry sir, I don’t know.
Chairman: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. Don’t you think that all are inward looking?
Raju: Sir, whenever possible I play cricket in addition my hobbies, which is a team game.
Member 2: Tell me which countries will reach final in the present world cup?
Raju: Sir, I think
Member 2: Already two countries reached semifinals i.e.,
Raju: Sir, I beg to differ with you. Actually three countries i.e.,
Member 2: Do you know about fly ash?
Raju: Sir, Thermal power stations produce fly ash while generating electrical power.
Member 2: Which state is using it more? Definitely it is not Haryana, My own state.
Raju: Sorry Sir, I don’t know.
Member 3 : (X-A) (X-B) has highest X power of 2. Do you agree?
Raju: Yes, Sir.
Member 3: (X-A) (X-B) (X-C) has highest X power...
Raju: 3, Sir.
Member 3: Then, tell me. What is the answer for (X-A) (X-B).... (X-Z).
Raju: (after 3-4 seconds), It must be Zero. Sir, because of the presence of the term (XX).
Member 3: Whom do you think a greatest mathematician of all times?
Raju: Sir, Srinivasa Ramanujan, because even though he lived for only 33 years, he contributed more to mathematics in the areas like Numerical methods, Solution of algebraic equations, number theory like prime numbers etc.
Member 3: Can you tell me the formula for prime numbers?
Raju: Sir, exactly I don’t know but recently IIT Kanpur professor along with his students wrote a software program that gives whether a number is prime or not within less time.
Member 3: You are an electrical engineer. Tell me where prime numbers are used?
Raju: Sir, they are used in coding.
Member 3: I am asking a question in your engineering only. Tell me how prime numbers are used in coding?
Raju: Sir, exactly I don’t know. But to the best of my knowledge, if the code length is prime, decoding and encoding are easy.
Member 3: You are on the line, but not exact answer.
Member 1: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. What you do in motivation?
Raju: Madam, many of classmates and Juniors came to me for clearing their doubts in subjects as I am the toper of my class. I usually listen to their problems regarding their understanding of concepts as many have problems either in one or many subjects. I tell them that every subject is easy if knew the concepts clear and we should like the subject what we are studying...
Madam: Do your respond same for all?
Raju: Madam, I usually spend more time with those who are very much lagging. I take classes to clear their doubts.
Madam: Then do you call it motivation or strategic learning?
Raju: Madam, strategic learning may be the correct term.
Madam: What is the difference between these two?
Raju: Madam, motivation is a general term which includes not only academic motivation but also others like psychological, etc., Madam, I don’t know exactly the meaning of strategic learning.
Madam: Which books you read in Indian Mythology?
Raju: Madam, I read Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Madam: Since your hobbies are motivating others and Indian Mythology, tell me how
Raju: Madam, When Arjuna refused to fight with friends, teachers,
Madam: Do you practise it?
Raju: Madam, It is very difficult to practise.
Madam: Why?
Raju: Madam, for example, if we are about to play a cricket match, we will think about the winning of the match, which is actually the result of the playing that match.
Madam: One last question. What kind of training our team got during our last year world cup?
Raju: Madam, exactly I am not able to recollect it. But it is like “we can do it this time”
Madam: Sorry, It is not last year world cup but it is 2003 world cup. The team was given psychological training.
Raju: Yes, Madam
Member 4: You studied your B.Tech. from REC
Raju: Sir, I am proud that I have studied in a great institution like IISc, which according UNESCO survey conducted in 1997 was in 18th place among world universities. Recently a Chinese university conducted a survey in which IISc was placed at around 250th position.
Member 4: Do you think that 250th position is a good position?
Raju: Sir, even though it is not a good position, the position depended on the parameters they have taken into consideration like no. of nobel laureates present, no. of research papers presented, etc.
Member 4: Who are nobel laureate present in IISc?
Raju: Sir, now there is no nobel laureate in IISc. Earlier Sir C.V.Raman worked in IISc. Now, there are two internationally reputed professors working there.
Member 4: Last year government proposed to stop B.Tech entry into IITs. Do you support that?
Raju: Sir, I support it. Sir, due to hectic schedule, the professors of IITs are not able to concentrate much on research. Once the B.Tech entry is stopped, they will get more time for research and quality of research will increase.
Member 4: Don’t you think the quality of B.Tech students will reduce as IITs are known for better professors?
Raju: Sir, those students who are earlier eligible for entry into IITs, they will join NITs. Since they are the core students I don’t think the quality will reduce. But the professors in other institutes should get sufficient training to reach the level of IIT professors.
Member 4: You agree to that proposal. But the government has withdrawn the proposal due to very good argument against it. Can you tell me?
Raju: Sorry sir, I don’t know.
Member 4: What do you think is responsible for reduction in research?
Raju: Sir, IISc is not able to retain those students who completed M.E. and other courses there. One reason is brain drain, Sir. Second one is that research is not attractive in
Member 4: Instead of choosing job or research, why did you choose services as career
option?
Raju: Sir, The incident that took place in my village in November 2000, when I am in 3rd year of B.Tech, has changed my career options. Nearby Engineering college students came to our village for picnic as our village has excellent beach. 7 of them drowned in the
Chairman: You are telling about an incident in your village. In that case who will respond first?
Raju: (3-4 seconds silence)
Chairman: Whether it is Block development officer, Doctor, or Police.
Raju: Sir, It is the police to respond first.
Chairman: Then, you are in IPS. Why did you come?
Raju: Sir, even for police it took 2 hours to reach that place as there is not enough transportation facilities.
Chairman: Thank you.
Raju: Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Sirs.
Finally, 195 marks were awarded for this interview.
Name: Vijay Kumar Mantri
Roll. No: 61511
Interview: CS 2006
Date: 12.4.07
Time:
Chairman of the Interview panel: Shri. Subir Datta (Retd. IAS)
Description: There were 7 panels (1.Shri. Subir Datta, 2.Prof. D.P. Agarwal, 3. Air Marshal (Retd.) Satish Govind Inamdar, 4. Ms. Parveen Talha, 5. Dr. Bhure Lal, 6. Ms. Chokila Iyer, 7. K. Roy Paul). Each panel was interviewing 9 candidates per day (5 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon). After entering UPSC and finishing all the formalities, we were very curious to know whose panel we had got. Then came the news that ours was Subir Datta’s panel. I was the last person to be interviewed. When my turn came at around
After 5 minutes, bell rang and the person told me to go inside. As I entered I could see a lady member, hence I wished her first. Then I went to my chair and wished the chairman and other male members. The member to my left (M3) asked me to sit. I took the chair and thanked him.
C: (Looking at me and the photo – photos of all the candidates of that panel will be collected and sent to the panel) You are Mr. Vijay Kumar Mantri,…..working in BHEL since Aug 2003,….done B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras.
VK: Yes Sir (after each detail)
C: You are from Parkal, Is it a coastal area?
VK: Sir, it is a land locked area. It is in
C: It is a Naxal area…very dangerous place….
VK: Sir, it is not very dangerous for common people.
C: If you become IAS or IPS, then it will be dangerous for you?
VK: Sir, I will take that as an opportunity to eliminate the Naxal problem.
C: What opportunity??@#$?, it is very dangerous…. (he was talking to himself….I just smiled)
C: You are working in BHEL…which area are you working?
VK: Sir, I am working in Heat Exchangers Engineering department at BHEL Hyderabad. My job is to design Heat Exchangers.
C: Heat Exchangers??
VK: Sir, Heat Exchangers are auxiliaries in power plant, like Oil Cooler, Generator Air Coolers and Exciter Air Coolers….
C: How do you design Heat Exchangers?
VK: Sir, this Heat Exchanger is a Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger and the oil will be cooled….
C: (interrupted) Explain to me as if you explain to a layman?
VK: Sir, there will be oil in bearings for cooling and lubricating purpose. This is like grease and …
C: (interrupted) By what is it cooled?
VK: Sir it is cooled using water.
C: Grease cant flow…!!
VK: Yes Sir, grease cant flow. But to make it clear, I have taken the example of grease.
C: But you shouldn’t make wrong statements in order to make it clear..(Actually I didn’t make a wrong statement; I just compared oil with grease. I thought it was a trap and didn’t argue further.)
VK: Yes Sir,…(ready to proceed with explaining, but he asked the next question)
C: OK, you participated in Athletics. What are the events you have participated?
VK: Sir, I participated in 100m running and road race from my hostel in B.Tech.
C: Road Race?
VK: Sir, it is 7.5km marathon race around our campus.
C: But 100m and road race are not compatible!!
VK: Sir, there was no better participation from our hostel. So, I participated.
C: Then you must have lost.
VK: Sir I could finish….
C: (Interrupted) Did you finish in first three places?
VK: No Sir. (…Participation is more important than winning…)
C: I don’t know your philosophy, Mathematics and Mythology…..so, let me ask you in Current Affairs….You must have been reading news paper since you started preparing Civil Services…So, you must have read about inflation in recent news…what is inflation?
VK: Sir, inflation is the increase in rates of commodities comparing to the rates last year same week.
C: what are its indicators?
VK: Sir CPI and WPI.
C: What is the difference between CPI and WPI? Is it the basket or method of measurement?
VK: Sir, it is the basket.
C: What causes inflation?
VK: Sir, there are two causes for inflation, one is on supply side and other is on demand side?
C: What is the demand side reason?
VK: Sir, demand is growing up due to increase in living standards.
C: But, there are still 25 crores of people living below poverty line???
VK: Sir, there is an overall increase in living standards.
C: OK, what is the supply side reason?
VK: Sir, Supply is not meeting to the increase in demand and there are also crop failures.
C: What are the steps that government has taken?
VK: Sir, recently government has increased CRR, but that only can solve the problem on demand side….
C: (interrupted) What is it doing on supply side?
VK: Sir, government is concentrating on agriculture to increase output. It is also curtailing exports of sugar to meet domestic needs…
C: Is it curtailing exports of sugars?
VK: Yes sir, logically it should curtail exports to alleviate inflation…
C: OK, take example of wheat, what is that government doing?
VK: Sir, we are importing wheat to meet domestic shortage. Then, he made eye contact with next member (
M1) to proceed.
M1: There is a relation between philosophy and mathematics….(pause)
VK: Ma’am, Philosophy and Mathematics are both fundamental and widely applicable….
M1: OK, let me finish my question….blah …..blah….what is the relation between mathematics and philosophy that can be implied from ancient literature?
VK: Ma’am, there is a sloka in one of the upanisads (actually from Isavasyopanisad….but I couldn’t recollect there). It says:
purnamadah purnamidam purnat purnmudachchate I
Purnasya purnamadaya purnmevavasisyate II
Ma’am from mathmetical point of view it means: purnam means infinity. So, when infinity is substracted from infinity still infinity remains. From philosophical point of view it means: when infinite Brahman manifests as infinite atman and jagat still Brahman remains infinite. Thus philosophy and mathematics inspired each other and drew inspiration from same source.
M1: blah…blah….(she was further discussing about it.)…What is the relation between mythology and philosophy? What are their sources? Can you explain?
VK: Ma’am, mythology is body of literature, which explains about the lives of divine personalities and divine incarnations. This body of literature consists of 4 vedas, 18 Puranas, Ramayana & Mahabharata. Philosophy mainly derives its source from upanisads and gita which are parts of Vedas and Mahabharata respectively. So, Ma’am, I believe that Indian Mythology and Philosophy drew from same source and always had relationship.
M1: In ancient days, we observe that lot of importance was being given to humanities than the sciences. Now the priorities changed and the atrs subjects are being looked down…..blah….blah…why?
VK: Ma’am, I believe that there is a growth of materialism. Industrilisation has science subjects as its base. Materialism requires science subjects to prosper. Humanities subjects caters to metaphysical aspirations of a person which are losing value (and further explained about it).
M1: This is my last question,…you said you listen to music….what music?
VK: Ma’am, when I was in IIT, I used to listen to lot of english pop songs, but now I listen to Old telugu and Kishore kumar songs.
M1: What do you like in music?
VK: Ma’am, I like melody and …. Lyrics.
M1: OK, you actually listen to the song.
VK: yes Ma’am.
M2: Mr. Mantri! You read mythology….so, you must have read Ramamyana and Mahabharata. Which one you think is more relevant to present society?
VK: Sir, I think Mahabharata is more relevant to present society. Ramayana depicts about dharma. But, Mahabharata depicts about dharma, artha,
M2: Mr. Mantri! Do you think kurukshetra war could have been avoided?
VK: Sir, I think Kurukshetra war couldn’t have been avoided. Because, the very purpose of Krishnavatara was punishing dushta, that is killing of Kauravas and their vicked allies.
M2: Mr. Mantri! What is your opinion about Bhishma?
VK: Sir, I think he is a great personality in Mahabharata.
M2: Do you support him not doing anything to stop Draupathi vastrapaharana.
VK: Sir, not actually. But, he is very strict to vows and he vowed to his father that he would protect and support the king of Hasthinapura. I think that is why he couldn’t do anything to stop Draupathi vastrapahara.
M2:Mr. Mantri! Do you support BCCI’s decision of capping endorsements of players?
VK:Sir, I don’t support BCCI’s decision of capping endorsements of players. These endorsements have been there for long time. Two bad matches threw
M2: You said that you will consider civil servant job as an opportunity to alleviate naxal problem. How do you approach to that problem?
VK: Sir, The philosophy of naxalism is based on Mao philosophy. Mao asks them to do guerilla war by fish swimming. As a fish swims in water, naxal swim through villages and wage guerilla war. If we remove this support, then we can succeed in alleviating in naxal problem.
M2: All the terrorists, militents and naxalites do fish swimming only. But how do you arrest this fish swimming?
VK: Sir, we should get people’s support. There is a fear of police in people’s minds. The Police should try to remove that by more contacts with people through social service.
M3: Mr. Vijay! You seem to be a serious guy with philosophy and mythology so on. Apart from this have you read about western philosophy?
VK: Sir, I read Western Philosophy as part of Civil Service preparation.
M3: So, which philosophers you liked most?
VK: Sir, I like Spinoza’s theory of substance.
M3: Why?
VK: Sir, Spinoza’s philosophy of Substance is very much similar to the Advaita philosophy of Sankaracharya.
M3: Have you read the philosophy of Bertrand Russel, who is a great philosopher and mathematician.
VK: Yes Sir, I read his philosophy ‘Linguististic Analysis’ as part of my Civil Services preparation.
M3: Can you explain his philosophy?
VK: Sir, he says that all the earlier philosophers used such a language which always had ambiguous meaning. He says philosophical language should be a common languge which is used daily by common people and should convey single meaning. By this method he says that many philosophical problems could be solved.
M3: Can you explain Dialectic theory?
VK: Dialectic theory….yes sir…..Dialectic theory says that for every concept there is counter concept, and these two give rise to a new concept, which always has a counter concept and so on goes….
M3: Two great philosophers used it. Can you name them?
VK: Yes sir,…..(not able to recollect)…..
M3: Carl Marx has used it.
VK: Yes sir, Carl Marx has used it for Materialism and called it Dialectic Materialism.
M3: Do you do any other light reading like novels?
VK: No Sir.
M3: What music you listen to?
VK: Sir, I used to listen to english pop music during my IIT days. But now I listen to Old Telugu songs and Kishore Kumar songs.
M3: Why change?
VK: Sir,during my last days in IIT, I picked up this Kishore Kumar songs and Old telugu songs from a nearby room. And I grew interest….(They actually laughed at it…it was a releif for me)
M4: Mr. Vijay! Recently there was a comment on IITs that “IITs are good at conducting Joint Entrance Examination”, there is a negative connotation about it.Can you get it.
VK: …uhhnn…no sir.
M4: think.
VK: ….I think it means that IITs are good only at conducting Exams not at academics..
M4: Is that really so…
VK: Not exactly sir,…for example…Before entering IIT, I new nothing but solving few mathematical problems. But after coming out of IIT, I am a confident man.
M4:….blah…blah…Government is spending so much on IITs…..IITs are main source of intellectuals….Many IITians leave country…..blah…blah…What do you suggest to stop this brain drain?
VK: Sir, I feel that there should be compulsory course on Ethics and Social responsibility. All my friends who had gone abroad have gone with academic zeal…they don’t know that 25 crores of their fellow Indians are below poverty line.
M4: You were saying that infinity minus infinity is equal to infinity. Can you give an example?
VK: …(thought for some time)….Sir, not getting any examples….its so simple to understand that iam not able to get example….(I thought…I shouldn’t have said this)
M4: Ok, I will you a hint…take set of natural numbers.
VK: Yes sir, (I actually jumped at the answer with that hint). Set of Natural numbers minus set of even number is equal to set of odd numbers, which is infinity minus
infinity is equal to infinity.
C: Ok, Vijay Thank You.
VK: (I thanked all and left the room without looking back)
I saw the time…My interview lasted 37 minutes.
Finally, 195 marks were awarded for this interview.
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