Learnings from Assam

  "There are just too many things we have to think about everyday, too many new things we have to learn. But still, no matter how much time passes, no matter what takes place in the interim, there are some things we can never assign to oblivion, memories we can never rub away. They remain with us forever, like a touchstone.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore 

 A lot of people keep asking me, how life after UPSC is. How things change as you move to new places and witness things which you've only heard of. People do talk about the better parts, the glory and respect associated with the profession, the inherent ability to bring a change to lives, the enormous number of places this job takes you and the plethora of knowledge and intellect you witness on the way. As I keep mentioning to these people, I came from a place where the general aspirations of people lay low, for me this life is beyond my imaginations at times. I often wonder if I deserve the kind of appreciation for my work which this profession brings, but in the end, I only work hard and accept whatever comes with open arms. In the limited time of my service as an IAS officer, I can surely say that no other job has the capability of showing you more than this profession. In my case, my job has brought me to Assam, and with everyday I appreciate it more.

When I moved to Assam, being from North India, the general appreciation to what was being offered didn't come easy. It took me a while to adjust to the food, weather and language of the place, believe me, I am still struggling. At times, I'd be part of a gathering where no one would speak Hindi and the sheer loss of ability to speak my mother tongue was dampening at times. But in the attempt of familiarising myself to the new place, I met with some spectacular stories. While touring across Assam, we discovered how Assam is a culmination of cultures- Rabhas, Tais, Misings, Karbis, Bodos amongst the many communities of Assam. The state is progressing so much as a powerhouse of North East India, there are wide strides being taken to bring the it to the forefront.

The stories of Lachit Borphukan, which remained alien to me, even though I prepared for civil services, is baffling and yet I'd ask all of you to please read it. Another story which stayed with me, was of S.R. Deka, founder of the SRD group, pioneering food processing in my district. The man who sold water to tea stalls, going on to build an empire of industries and bringing so much to such a small town of Mangaldoi is magical. And as I swiftly moved in the factory of Britannia cakes being run by SRD group, I was filled with respect for Shri Deka, and to my job which allows me to witness all this. It boggles my mind how at times a new place has to offer so much to a person, and how in our parochial way of looking at things, we often focus on the bad parts.

I recently read somewhere that 9 out of 10 thoughts in human minds are non-positive, they are fears, anxieties, what-ifs and regrets, gathering and clogging our vision. Even after achieving so much, it is often difficult to back pat yourself or appreciate the life you are being offered. But to do it, after everything that transpires in the world is a bliss worth living for. Every week my life takes me to a new place, and trust me at times I am scared. But when I look back and see what all I could do, a simple girl from a place which had so little, my heart is full. 

So, to sum up, Assam has been an experience I am really enjoying, it challenges me everyday, not just professionally but also with the ways in which adulting is becoming real. It is always tough to move out of your safe place, the one where you are taken care of. But to build a home in yourself is something we must all aspire for. This period of life is so precious and it can't just be wasted. As Gandalf says "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us", I wish all of us find our ways in the testing times.