2nd of June 2005, as I opened my daily Manipur news paper (what else "e-pao" only!!!! Who will deliver the Sanagai Express, the Poknapham etc to me at Delhi???), the following news caught my attention.

MPSC exams
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 01: Subsequent to a Cabinet decision, process has been started for conducting a combined examination through Manipuri Public Service Commission (MPSC) to 217 vacant posts in various Govt Deptt, informed a reliable source.

Out of the 217 posts, 25 are for MCS, 32 for MPS, 40 for SDC, 40 for Finance Service, 4 for MFS, 58 for Doctor and 18 for Engineers, the source said. The State Govt would be issuing a notification very soon in this connection, the source added.

=========================================

Boom!!! For a moment I got carried away... What should I go for-MPS/MCS/Finance service/ engineer!!!! My background of an engineering degree with masters in financial management suited the bill perfectly.

All I needed was revising the fundamentals and a rigorous study of general knowledge of the World in general and Manipur in particular (this I needed very much) and some work on my English too- written part.

I started dreaming- of the midnight oil I have to burn, discussions I need to have with the learned people, the study materials I have to search for etc. I even went to the extent of dreaming that I am through with the written/GD/ interview and I am proceeding for the Officer's training!!!!!!!! (Optimistic, yes I am but for the moment I forgot the saying, "Assumption is the mother of all f***-ups")

"Bulla ki jana mei kaun, bulla ki jana mei kaun......" ring tone on my mobile started playing. My father was on the other end from Imphal (my hometown, my motherland.....how I wish I was at home everyday, every hour, every minute!!!!). I told my dad about the news I read from e-pao, how I can fit in the mentioned post, the labour I have to put in etc.

Dad gave a patient hearing for about 25-30 minutes. Then he asked me if I am over. Yes, I told him.

He then told me just one line, "Do you still remember your cousin's case-he was offered the post (when you had finished your MBA) for the MPSC exam he gave (when you were in your 1st year Engineering!!!!!!!!!!)?"

Boom, boom, boom!!!! Minefield exploded in my grey matter and reality came back. All the issues/ controversy/ mark tampering/ reevaluation/ reexamination etc related to the controversial MPSC exams unfolded in my head.

(Everyone knows about it.....S**T stuff. I don't need to explain....its good that my cousin is at a good place rather then taking up the post offered!!!) The number of years it took for that crap to clean up is amazing- maybe we can suggest to Guinness books.

Even now I don't know whether the case is clean or? To my knowledge, when the FINAL successful candidates (finally!!!) were offered the various posts by MPSC, most of them were settled with family and kids.

"A bird in hand is worth two in the bush." So I decided to stay with my current company. It's a private limited but pays me well and takes care of me. No one gives me order rather they stand by me to solve any problem I am in. No need to go in the race for MCS/MPS and get stuck up....wasting my energy/ time and money.

Well I wonder this time what controversies will crop up? How much money exchange will take place? By now I hope the "Big Guns" must be all geared up to give... and for some to receive....!

It's a sad feeling that after so many years of education I am not able to work and serve my land-Manipur. I want to work for my soil but I am helpless because if I go there searching for job I will end up jobless.

Even if I get one, it will not be fitting for the various degrees I have earned with so much hard work. Deep in my heart I feel I have something due to Manipur and one day, God willing, I shall repay it back.............................!

Note:- I do not welcome any criticism or debates over the controversial MPSC exams which were held years ago and neither shall I respond to it also!!
This is just a write up of my feelings and the things that happened to me for about 3 hours after I saw the news item.