Awareness of weaknesses and capabilities vital to setting life goals, say UPSC achievers

May 24, 2024 10 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 24

While determination counts, being aware one’s weakness and strength is just as essential to setting and achieving life goals, according to Tolino Chishi (AIR 431) and Imsurenla Longkumer (AIR 774). Chishi and Longkumer were two among four from Nagaland, who cleared the UPSC 2023 exams, the results of which were declared in April.

They made the comment at a programme organised by the Central Nagaland Women’s Association (CNWA) and Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CNSA), honouring their success, in Dimapur on May 23.

“If there’s one thing that I wish for our Naga youth, it is that we take the one precious life that we are given seriously… That we consciously strive to be more aware of ourselves, of our capabilities, our talents and our weaknesses, and set goals and life plans,” said Chishi. Acknowledging the support and commendation that has come her way since the results were declared, she expressed optimism that it would further serve as motivation for other Naga youths to strive harder.

She described her journey to UPSC success as filled with instances when it felt “like a very long walk through a dark tunnel with no definite exit in sight” but not one that is not insurmountable.

According to her, she has come out of it “a more disciplined, a more resilient and a more emotionally balanced person.” She said that the journey offers the aspirant the opportunity to acquire knowledge, one that is empowering and humbling at the same time.

Imsurenla Longkumer admitted to initially not aspiring to be a civil servant. She initially worked in a multinational corporation aiming to climb the corporate ladder. She switched lane, seeking greater professional fulfillment through the civil service. She described the UPSC test as a grueling experience, one that demands great sacrifice to the extent that “it can also get quite lonely.”

The sacrifice notwithstanding, she maintained that aspiring to clear the UPSC should not be the be-all and end-all. “Having a safety net or a backup plan can go a long way in easing the pressure,” she said, adding that staying in touch with one’s hobbies and interests is also important.

According to her, it requires cultivating the aptitude to carving out a strategy based on strength and weaknesses. More importantly, she added that the aspirant should have clarity with respect to their goals and intentions in joining public service.

“Where I am today is just a stepping stone, and the beginning of another journey, where I can hope to serve the people as a person of principle, integrity and compassion,” she said.

MLA and Advisor, Food and Civil Supplies, KT Sukhalu, who was the special guest, acknowledged their achievements, “It’s all up to you how you commit yourself to something. There’s nothing impossible. If you have the determination and if you are committed, there’s nothing that will stop you from achieving success,” he said. He also placed emphasis on integrity in government service.

Referring to the unemployment problem in Nagaland juxtaposed with a government job sector that has more employees than actually required, Sukhalu said that the state government is now serious about streamlining the system.

NSDZ potential
He made mention of the contentious Nagaland Special Development Zone as one that has potential to address the unemployment problem to some extent. “The (state) government had proposed to have an economic zone where big multinationals can come and establish their companies, where our boys and girls can be engaged. But unfortunately our people could not visualize the future,” he rued.