Patkai alumni, Ajungla speaks exclusively to The Morung Express
A feat that will now go down into the record books, Miss T. Ajungla Jamir has now been officially selected to the prestigious Indian Foreign Service based on her recent performance at the Civil Service Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the results of which was declared recently. By her feat, Ajungla will become the first ever girl from Nagaland to join the elite Foreign Service through direct recruitment, which is indeed a historic achievement to be taken note of. The Morung Express presents an exclusive interview with Ajungla.
Q: Congratulations once again. What were your expectations before the final results and with this great success, what are your reactions and feelings?
A: Thank You. Like many of the other candidates, I was feeling apprehensive about the final result. But I was hoping and praying for the best. I feel very happy and would really like to thank God for this wonderful blessing, and would also like to thank my family and well-wishers.
Q: You are allotted the Indian Foreign Service. It would also be a first for a Naga lady from Nagaland to get direct entry into that service…
A: I feel very privileged and honoured by this opportunity.
Q: We hear that you also plan to complete your PhD from JNU.
A: I was writing my chapters on the topic, “Europe, the United States and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in the post-Cold War Era”, but now that I have to report for the training, I have deregistered from my PhD.
Q: Before going any further tell us something about you, your family, childhood, schooling, college and academics. What are your hobbies?
A: I have two younger brothers. One is doing his LL.B and the other has finished his B.Com. My father is a Superintendent in the Excise department, and my mother is a wonderful housewife. I did my schooling in St. Paul’s School, finished my graduation from Patkai Christian College...after which I did my PG and M.Phil from JNU. I was pursuing my PhD in JNU too. My hobbies are reading, and watching good English movies and soccer.
Q: How important is education to you, not only from the examination point of view but also as a requirement for our society?
A: Education is a very important requisite for a society to progress well in all areas of life. If we look at the world around us today, all the societies that are doing well are those with a very high literacy rate, like in terms of GDP, HDI, etc.
Q: Coming back to the civil services I am sure the readers would like to know the secrets to your success. Can you share your experience especially for the young aspirants? How many hours did you put in a day? What were the books, magazines or newspapers that helped you prepare for the examinations? How important is the selection of subjects and what should be the criteria for choosing one’s subject for the examinations?
A: Since I do not have the habit of studying for long durations, I used to be much focused even when I study for an hour or two. I read the Chronicle, Wizard, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and Kurukshetra. Since the selection of subjects is very important, one should go for a subject one is comfortable with. Taking up a subject that one has taken in Graduation would make things easier.
Q: What are the qualities one should possess before deciding to try for the Civil Services?
A: One should be hard-working, focused and disciplined. Many brilliant candidates sit for the exam, but if one do not have the above qualities, it does not help much.
Q: How important is career counseling? Do you feel our young people do not get enough professional counseling? What is the way out?
A: Career counseling is very important, as it will decide whether one is satisfied and happy in life in the future. In this context, the best way out is to Trust in God and ask for His guidance so as not to make the wrong choice in life.
Q: What is your source of inspiration and motivation?
A: My family and my well-wishers. And also the constant thought that God has a good purpose for me in this world.
Q: The exam is extremely competitive and challenging. How did you manage to get through the difficult phase and how important is spirituality?
A: UPSC being the mother of all exams in the country is very difficult to crack for all the lakhs of candidates. For me, it was always the thought that God will help me with this exam that helped me, for an individual cannot do it alone. Proverbs 16:3 was a constant source of motivation for me in this regard.
Q: As a future administrator, what are the issues you feel will be important especially for our Naga society? Do you have any cause that is dear to you and in which you would like you make a contribution?
A: The most important issue for our society is to get rid of all the evils that have inflicted our society today. I would really like to see the young people of our society being happy and satisfied in life in the future, and not to get disillusioned with the present evils of our society.
Q: What is your message to the Naga women today?
A: Naga women are doing so well in all areas of life, which shows that women are becoming more independent today. It is indeed a good sign, and I would hence advise them to pursue one’s dreams in life positively.
Q: Can you tell our readers about the coming training etc.?
A: I will go for the three month Foundation Course in Mussoorie. After that, it will be two years of Foreign Service training in Delhi. Then, I will go to whichever country the Government sends me.
Q: The recent controversy surrounding the NPSC must strike you. How do you assess the entire issue? Can you suggest anything to help cleanse the recruiting system?
A: It is indeed unfortunate that the NPSC has to be dragged into such a big scandal. But it will be good if the suggestions of the general public are taken into consideration, for once.
Q: Whether you are aware or not the new format/system for the NPSC civil service exam has gone through some major changes. They have done away with the optional subjects in the mains and opted for objective type with English and General Studies? Be free to give your opinion and suggestions.
A: Since I have never taken the exam, I am not very aware of how the system worked or works. But I think, it will be good if the Mains are taken in the form of Written as in the UPSC, so as to have less chances of corruption and thus be fair to all.
Q: Do you believe that you have achieved all you have to, or are things just starting?
A: To me, life is a challenge waiting to be experienced. So, wherever God wills me to go I am willing to go.
Q: Where do you go from here? Anything you would like to do after a career in the Civil Services?
A: I will now be a Diplomat representing India till the day I retire. Life after that depends on God.
Q: Do you have any last message, especially for our youth?
A: I would like to tell our young people that everyone makes mistakes and faces failures in life. But, if one have Faith in God and follows His wishes, one will be happy in life always.
