Govind Jaiswal seen here with his father
From the son of a Rickshaw puller to the top rank of IAS
Keren R. Rose
Morung Express Feature
Kohima | September 12
Five years back his story made headlines, the son of a rickshaw puller in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, had made it to the 48th rank (2006), he was only 23 years old and it was his first attempt. He was a man who just had no other option but to succeed, infact the situation was so desperate- failure was not even an alternative.
Today posted as Joint Secretary, Home Department, Govind Jaiswal has been in Nagaland now for five good years. ‘’I don’t really want to think about those days, it is not exactly pleasant”, he says.
For those who came in late, Govind Jaiswal’s story is one that will continue to inspire and encourage generations to come. The son of a Rickshaw puller, this is one man who fought the odds stacked against him, a man who refused to reason with grim circumstances and eventually convinced destiny herself to give it to him.
The IAS dream began early, boosted early with the knowledge that unlike other jobs, the civil services was clean of corruption; Jaiswal began to dream of making it through one of the toughest exams in the country. Straight after graduation from Banaras University, he landed in Delhi- the place where people either join the Indian Alcohol Service or the prestigious Indian Administrative Service!
With Rs.40,000/- in hand (his father sold off the last plot of land) and a year to survive in a concrete jungle, Govind started giving tuitions to supplement his meager pocket money. There were days when he divided his tiffin into two parts, one part for lunch and the other for dinner. An ailing father back in Varanasi added to the tension and the pressure to succeed. Unlike other toppers, Govind just had one shot in life, just one.
‘’The pressure was so much, forget eating, I even forgot to have water in the days leading to the interview, so much so that I developed an extreme anxiety condition which took two years of medication to heal’’, says Jaiswal.
When the Civil services results were declared, his father spent an entire hour crying outside a temple in Varanasi. It was one of those moments in life where speech is completely unnecessary.
Here in a tete-a-tete, exclusively for the Morung Express, Govind Jaiswal talks about the road travelled so far:
MeX: Sir, Your inspiring success story has made headlines all over the country. That was five years back, how has the journey been so far?
GJ: After five years, I realize that the journey is not over yet. Earlier my aim was to uplift my condition and the status of my family. Now I am fighting for something entirely different.
The system that we live in is very tough and sometimes it is very difficult to maintain your stand. However I am very aggressive in thoughts, I am a fighter by nature so this fight will go on. When I was preparing for civil service, a majority of people were against me. But we do have some very good officers who are fighting in their own way to bring positive changes.
MeX: You are quite familiar with Nagaland now. I mean you were posted in Phek, Zunheboto and now in the capital. What was your perception about Nagaland before coming here and how has it changed?
GJ: When I was informed that I would be heading to Nagaland. I was shocked because everybody told me that it is a dangerous place!
Infact people started conveying their sympathy to me as though something wrong had happened to me. Some seniors in Delhi even suggested that that I leave the services saying what you will do in Nagaland. Then after I landed here and discovered that no one was interested in training of IAS probationers as is done in other states. I will always be very grateful to H.K. Khulu sir and Ponraj sir, both of them were very helpful to me.
Now I have come to the realization that the situation is not like the impression people have. Of course there are problems in comparison to other states who inherit a well settled administrative set up. This is something we have to establish and a lot of political and bureaucratic support is needed. In general, I do find Nagas very friendly and helpful.
MeX: Sir, the recent issue of North East people fleeing the mainland has made major news. What is your take on this issue? Do you think the discrimination faced by people from the north east is an issue to be addressed?
GJ: This question in itself is shame for everyone. It is a shame that a citizen of a country feels insecure in his/her own country. We should be very careful that such issues do not crop up again in the future. Someone asked me if main land people discriminate north east people because of their looks, I replied that those who do that are fools and are actually jealous! I have realized that north east people especially Mizos and Nagas have much sharper and better features than main land people. I would request north east people not to be defensive, you have the same right to go anywhere, study anywhere in your own country. Don’t ask any one for what is your birthright.
MeX: I understand you have a great interest in philosophy. It was one of your optionals in the UPSC also. Would you like to share anything on this topic with my readers?
GJ: Actually, I am very interested in religious books from my teenage days. I opted for philosophy in UPSC because it is one subject that makes you able to see maximum aspect of any issue. Infact people get confused about my religion because I tend to quote from all religious books and I have never found any contradiction among religious books. Every religion have the same teaching in different ways. I am very influenced by Jesus Christ because in human history one cannot find such extraordinary sacrifice. Even when he was being crucified he was praying to his father. I respect all prophets but Jesus Christ is the incomparable example of love for humanity, he is the only one whose teaching prohibited not only physical but also mental violence.
MeX: Sir, you are also a member of the popular site- The Naga Blog. I am sure you are now very familiar with youth power. In your opinion, what is needed to bring change in the Naga society? Is satisfaction or dis satisfaction a key component of change?
GJ: Very interesting question, but I am very clear in this aspect, you see an unsatisfied younger generation is a sure sign that we will have a better society compared to the present. But here one should remember that there is a line which should not be crossed- crossing would mean losing your legitimacy. I want to tell my young friends that it is very easy to cross the line but again very difficult to express dis satisfaction with a controlled emotion. A real hero controls his/her emotion, emotion is something very difficult to control and yet very easy to express.
MeX: A last message for Nagas appearing for the UPSC exams please.
GJ:UPSC is a matter of highest dedication. So my friends just forget everything and concentrate on your studies. It requires commitment, regular study, proper strategy and belief in yourself and God. I am waiting for the day when one Naga boy/girl will top the UPSC. I would then feel very proud belonging to Nagaland myself!
