The IRS Story

During the summer of 2014, I was posted in Haldwani, near Nainital as Assistant Commandant of ITBP. For the uninitiated, you can know the whole story here CLICK ME. Actually the place and the nearest railway station was called "Lal Kuan" but i guess only a few from the region would know about that. When I first came to know about the place, I thought it was some dingy place along the Red corridor where they just throw traitors into a well or something. Jokes and apprehensions apart, it was a beautiful little place just on the foothills of the Shivalik. The last stretch of the Gangetic plains.

So I was just out in the field doing a market survey for some procurement that I got a call from my friend Akshay telling me that I had made it to the list. Rank 337 in CSE 2013. And while everyone around me went berserk at the mere mention of it, my head was pondering over the harsh necessity to give another attempt. And also, the possibilities of staying in the service which I would be soon joining. The Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise).

So, the thing with civil service aspirants is that they don't know much about the other services except the elite ones. And they only start to explore the horizons of these other services when it becomes abundantly clear that they are going to get it. I have to confess that although I knew about both the IRS variants but that was only a superficial and microscopic view. And ergo, I started to dig deep. From those who were already a part of the service, I came to know about the diversity of the job, various challenging opportunities and the advantage of mostly urban postings. I have to say I was elated and looking forward to join the professional course post mains 2014.

And here I was en route NACEN (National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics) Faridabad on 30th Dec, 14 after some hiccups in the medical examination process. I was late by a week and when I reached the classroom part of the training had already started. That day, along with me there were few more Officer Trainees (OTs) who reached the academic building for joining. We were straightaway sent to the auditorium where apparently some guest faculty had already started the lecture. This sense of urgency was symbolic of the seriousness of the training but the only question being how long would it survive?

As the batch was too big, almost half of it was residing in another nearby academy and soon one half was to be sent to MCR HRD Hyderabad and the other half was to stay back here. This was unfortunate as the camaraderie of the batch was compromised as we would hardly get a chance to interact with the other half. But constraints were such that this had to be done. Half of the batch went to Hyderabad and about 117 of us stayed back including the five wonderful officers from Bhutan.

For the next 6 odd months, this was going to be our home. And it was indeed, like our home,  courtesy the wonderful people around, the fabulous quality of the Officer's mess and the eternal bonds of friendships which developed. The rooms were allocated randomly but I got lucky to have a great roommate in Hrishikesh Utpat who hails from Pune. Serendipity being the Marathi connection. We had lots in common be it the love for reading, talking on abstract things or simply Game of Thrones. I would like to believe that he also became a Manchester United fan during those days as that was all i talked about. We also shared the love for posters and literally turned the room into Leopold Cafe. He also got this artistic lamp for the room which made it the best hostel room ever. And do not get me started on our balcony which opened to this serene view of a lawn and greenish cover. Pure bliss!

The other great thing that happened at the outset was that I ran into this Arsenal fan, Anudeep. We instantly clicked and decided to just dribble the football around in the lawns as there was no dedicated ground. That rolled the ball i guess as we got more and more players. There was this lawn which was of a decent size for seven a side football games but there were lampposts and trees all over. We tried to plead with the admin to get these obstructions removed but all in vain meanwhile still wondering who the admin was. But that didn't stop us. And eventually we took them all down, one free kick at a time. Thanks to the powerful volleys of Wangchuk that we didn't even spare the concrete posts.  Playing there with all my mates, was the best thing in Faridabad.

Now coming to the training part, Customs training offers you a wide variety as you go on to study various acts governing the Customs, Excise, Service Tax and Narcotics domains. It possibly has the largest number of attachments to ports, airports and other govt bodies. It is a great learning experience. In our attachment to the Mumbai airport, working under Mr. Kiran Karlapu, we caught hold of about 10 kgs of gold being smuggled by the crew of a reputed airline. The intelligence behind, the investigation that followed and the thrill of the whole process was truly amazing. Apart from that, the surveillance runs in the Power boats and small ships across the Mumbai bay was beautifully educative. We also had a tour to the Land Customs Stations at Petrapol at the Bangladesh border. Along all these attachments, we met numerous brilliant people working as Customs and Excise Officers who are doing a great job in the service of the nation. Their work is as important as that of some of the so called elite services. No doubts about that. Having seen the practical component, I can surely say with confidence that this is a great service playing a pivotal role in the collection of revenues for the government. There are certain issues but which service is without one. It service is what you make of it. And i am confident that in the coming times, this service would reach even greater heights.

For the last two months in IRS, I was at MCR Hyderabad for the Excise and Service Tax component of the training. This was different from Faridabad in the sense that this was not our own academy. There were various other Central and State service personnel who were being trained apart from us. It was a different setup altogether. But the good part was that we got to meet so many other people from so many other services and it turned out to be a great learning experience. The best part was the Turfside Football field which was just around the corner. And the entire staff of NACEN Hyderabad was very cooperative and accommodating.

At the very last I would like mention some of my friends in IRS who greatly inspired me. Utpat, it was great sharing the room with you. You are extremely well read with balanced views on almost everything and a great orator too. Anudeep, you are first Arsenal fan I liked and it was great playing football with you and not to mention all the shit we talked about be it AI or the Fermi paradox. Kaushik, I just wonder if all OTs were like you. You have done so much for the batch that writing about it would result in a book. Glad to meet you buddy. Keep the spirit going! Prianceu Pandey, it was great to meet such a pure soul like you who also shared my interests in running and Gym. Your desire for Police services in unparalleled and I am glad that you succeeded in it. Best of luck with that and I am sure you would also be around in NE. Unde, you are the darling of the batch. You have always kept the dinner table discussions interesting with different flavours of nationalism. A big big thanks for the constant supply of Bakhar wadi and Pomegranate. Your inclinations to help everyone is what we need to see in all public servants. Goutham, my United Mate, the matches we saw together be it the Underdoggs Sports bar or our very own rooms, you company has been truly amazing. I realized wish you were here with me today as I watch United beat Liverpool today. And my jersey is now with the right guy. The Mess Committee at Faridabad, you guys rock. The standards set cannot and cannot be broken. Epic stuff!

And the list goes on and on. Ergo, I would like to collectively thank all of my friends from the 66th batch of IRS (C&CE) who have made this short journey together such a wonderful affair. I wish you all the best for your ventures and let's look out for one another.

P.N. Rao Sir and Chander Shekhar Sir, you both have inspired all of us and I would like to thank you both for caring for the entire batch at each and every juncture. Hope we can replicate the standards set by you in our careers.

Cheers!

My First Half Marathon!

I was not always into running. Rather for most of my childhood I was into running away from running. I mean yes like every other child I did participate in the cliched 100 m race and perhaps I won it couple of times. But that did not inculcate in me a runner. In fact I liked the Jalebi race more or the Slow cycling race for that matter. Moreover those days I was into cricket and that meant not much running. In college days, I did start my Football career but that was more like a cameo and ended before it even began. Double muscle tear in both legs kept me out of the football field. Perhaps my legs were not ready for such a dose in that short a time.

That was followed by a bench sitting corporate job for couple of years and a year long UPSC preparation that kept my legs on a honeymoon. But then something significant happened the details of which you can read in The ITBP Story. So when I was forced to run like mad on the roads of Mussoorie overseeing the beautiful city of Dehradun that I fell in love with the idea of running. The initial days were difficult with the dearth of oxygen in the air and the bleeding noses but in that pain was hidden such a joy which cannot be expressed here unfortunately.

Science might tell you that upon exercising your body releases Endorphin and that results into this feel good factor but for me the joy of running cannot be equated with other forms of exercise. Some find calmness in meditation, some in isolation, many find it in music but for me, its the act of running. Uncanny yes but true to the core. And at the end of every run, I feel this great sense of accomplishment. It's not about the quantum of distances, the time targets or the breaking of records. Just and just the act of running.

So, ITBP pushed my limits. And then I wanted more and more. When I moved to IRS I knew that it is going to be difficult keeping the culture of running as this service did not demand that kind of physical stamina but with god's grace I continued the momentum that was built up. And then one day on my laptop screen flashed an ad for the upcoming marathon which was to be organized in Hyderabad after a couple of months. I checked our training schedule and fortunately we were suppose to be in Hyderabad only. And that was it. A decision was taken. I am also thankful to Prianceau Pandey and Geeta for agreeing to take part along with me.

And finally the day was here. We had to start pretty early as the start time was 6 am and the place was far off from the academy. We have to say that the Gods really wanted us to run the Marathon that day. When we were on way in our cab suddenly we heard loud horns coming from a vehicle approaching us from behind at an unbelievable pace. It passed us in a fraction of a second and then swirled at that mighty pace eventually hitting the divider on that road. It came to a sudden halt with all the windows shattering into pieces. The driver of that vehicle was perhaps unconscious and one other was thrown outside by the impact. Luckily there were many marathon volunteers who rushed to their rescue. Our driver stopped our vehicle as clearly he was in deep shock. What the hell just happened. We too looked at one another in disbelief. Couple of inches here and there and that was it. I thanked the Gods for that escape. We all did perhaps. Those guys in that vehicle were probably all dead drunk. It's a shame how irresponsible people put in danger the lives of strangers. Don't drink and drive. How difficult it is to understand?

Anyway, in sometime we reached the Starting point still a little shaken but soon the euphoria started to creep into us. People from all directions were pouring into the holding arena. We reached just in time for the start of the Full Marathon. We ran towards the dividers to cheer the runners. I was amazed to see so many elderly people taking part in the full marathon. And here I was scared of the Half marathon. That was such a confidence booster. After they had gone, participants of the half marathon assembled in the grounds and the group warm up sessions started as some veterans volunteered to help others out. It was great warming up with so many people alongside the Hussain Sagar lake, the texture of which was slowly getting brighter as the light started to break the horizon. Oh, so beautiful!

 And it was about time. People started to move towards the holding area again. My heart pounced. I suddenly felt this weird pain through my shin bone. It was that feeling all over again. That feeling which had ended my football career once. I hate that feeling. But it can't be. I have taken enough rest and warmed up well. Why was it there then? But now surely no going back, i told myself. We moved to the starting point. I have to say I was pretty nervous. Not able to run now would be heartbreaking. The whistle went off, the crowd cheered and shouted in euphoria. I did too but not without a little anxiety. I started my music player and ironically the first song that came up was "अरे रुक जा रे बन्दे, अरे थम जा रे बन्दे"!

For the initial few kilometers the road was completely jammed by participants. Hardly any place to overtake others and move forward swiftly. We jogged for the most part of this early run but then I guess it was good for my legs to get just the right kind of warm up. As we moved forward the pain began to sub-cede and the confidence shot up like a rocket. I was roaring to go. But then this marathon for me was not about getting the perfect timing. It was only about completing it and making sure that my team also completes it. Pandey had been training with me since Faridabad and had become a pro by now and ergo I asked him that he should make it in within two hours. On the other hand, Geeta had just started training few weeks back. Though she is a great athlete but running half marathon can be a little taxing without proper practice. So in essence my mission was to ensure that Geeta finishes the run within time. And full credit to her persistence and for tolerating my nagging acts of motivation throughout the run.

So we were somewhere in the middle of the run and one of these volunteers was holding a plate full of a white powder. Now for a marathon rookie like me, is it wrong to assume that the white substance is nothing but glucose. I grabbed a handful of that and placed it right it my mouth before realizing that it was salt for crying out loud. For a second, it felt like I had a stroke or something. I spited it all out but carried the taste for some other kilometers to come. And I just couldn't stop laughing at myself for some more kilometers. Shit happens, I should take it with a pinch of salt, I told myself. Errr...what!

Throughout the whole marathon, there were people standing and cheering up for the runners. There were cute little children standing outside their houses holding hand made placards encouraging participants to run. They were jumping up and down in joy and clapping for us. That was very very touching. Then there were bands playing alongside the roads pumping up the runners to go ahead and finish what they started. The beats surely helped us to keep our rhythm alive. Then there were elderly people shouting at top of their voices and inspiring us with their zeal. It gives you immense strength when you see people backing you up without any personal gain at sight. You could literally feel the bond of love with those kind strangers. And lastly I want to mention this specially able person who had no legs, was sitting on his wheel chair and cheering for the marathon runners. I clapped my hands looking at him. He reciprocated. My eyes reacted. Tears of joy.

I have to admit, there were quite a few occasions when I felt like abandoning Geeta and running at my own pace especially when she denied even to brisk walk. But then I figured, giving up is so freaking easy. I pursued with renewed zeal adopting new techniques to motivate her. One of which proved very helpful. Pushing her aggressively. Sorry Geeta, but that worked. Didn't it? Finally we were there. We could see the finish line. And that suddenly took away all the pain. We were pouncing like a crouching tiger. Ferociously. We made it. In time. We had just completed a half marathon. That feeling, pure bliss, I tell you.

Thank you almighty, for this wonderful experience.