The last 30 days have been eventful. I have been posted as the Assistant Collector of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district (Telangana) on 24.05.2019, a day after India elected its new union government. As I completed one month in the district, I reflected on my stay here and asked myself: What has been my learning in the past one month?
After giving it enough thought, I had a short answer— I learned to begin again.
Life in the district cannot be more different than the one at LBSNAA. Academy is similar to a college: much of the learning happens in the classroom, there are clear rules as to what you are supposed to do, and your superiors are always around to help you out with any task. In contrast, district training reminds me of life after college. You are now suddenly thrown into the real world where you are left on your own. You start a new career and tend to learn more from your peers and superiors than books or PPTs. The academy was about friendships, camaraderie and crisp weather. The district, on the other hand, is about dust, sweat and sweltering heat.
Out here, because of the proximity to the public and their problems, the learning is imprinted in the memory. Sometimes, I am sent on a field enquiry and asked to submit a report on a land dispute, or at times I am directed to visit a Gram Sabha, and encourage people to build toilets. As these tasks are new to me, sometimes they leave me confused as to how I should proceed. But I believe that difficulty is the essence of any learning. I recently came across a great quote that reads: “Difficulty is not a sign that you aren’t learning, but ease is a sign that you aren’t learning.”
“There are always detours, but never shortcuts”
The first thing that caught my eye in this district is how unique it is from the rest of the state. The district took birth when the govt undertook a sweeping reorganisation of the state in 2016. The erstwhile districts were sliced into smaller districts, aiming to bring administration closer to the people. The result— 10 districts have given way to 33. As part of this reorganisation, the government delineated tribal dominated northern part of the erstwhile Khammam district and rechristened it as Bhadradri, bearing 24 mandals and 2 revenue divisions. For a supposedly rich state like Telangana, this district is one of the most backward, with many human development indicators such as nutrition, literacy, and sanitation much below the national average.
I spent one week each with the collectorate, police and the district treasury. In each section, I tried to discern the hierarchy and their individual responsibilities. Having worked in the government previously, I could get an idea on office procedure and file movement. The staff here has been courteous with me, patiently answering my questions and explaining the nuts and bolts of governance. But my biggest learning has been outside of the four walls of the office, during my field visits with the Collector.
As and when my Collector toured the district, he’d ask me to hop on his vehicle. The more I visited the villages and mandals of this district, the more I found this place to be a paradox. This district is home to Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, a coal mining PSU that recorded almost Rs. 1200 crore profit in 2017-18. Yet, just 50 km from the company headquarters, inside deep jungles of Bhadradri, vulnerable tribal groups often struggle for existence. Their worry is not over power or profits, but over basic needs— clean water, good shelter, and decent nutrition. Even reaching these forest dwellers has been a major challenge for the government. However, things have changed in recent years and the administration has been working assiduously in the areas of recognition of land rights and ensuring that public services are effectively delivered even to the most remote segments.
The paradox in the district manifested in other forms too. On one hand, the district is known for its glorious Bhadrachalam temple of Lord Rama, attracting tourists from across the country. On the other hand, this part of the country is also notorious for its Left-Wing Extremist violence. Only last year, ten Maoists and one cop were killed in a police encounter. This contrast between affluence and deprivation, privilege and poverty, peace and violence leaves a deep impression on anyone who observes this place closely.
I have lived and travelled in Telangana for almost 29 years but it now feels as though I don’t know enough about my home state. Last month has been a revelation in two things: a discovery of my homeland and a profound realisation of my ignorance. Having been brought up in this state, I feel I should have been better informed.
Instead of regretting the past, I now want to look ahead. I see district training as a wonderful time to start with a blank slate and learn with child-like curiosity. I want to learn about the state, know its people closely, understand their problems, and work to help them in whatever little way I can. I have a long-distance to cover but I am excited to start this new journey. It’s time to begin again.
Great Post
Great article! Your writings are an inspiration in itself!
Great experience sir….it’s helpful us
I request you to keep it up.its inspire me to join public service…thanks for ur motivated to us
Wow sir u r great?……I’m biggest fan of ur….I want to meet u once in my life, u r my inspiration
Great Blog Sir… I guess you can use your anthropology knowledge here. Here Tribals need an officer like you. Even I’m opting Anthropology as my optional subject. Thanks for inspiring me Sir. Jai Hind
Thank you Sampath.
Best wishes for your job Anudeep. Keep sharing more stories from the ground. It’s a lot different from what we see in books.
Wonderful writeup. Keep doing good work and keep inspiring people!!
Hello sir.
Iam from rajanna siricilla district.
The line that u shared “difficulty is not a sign that u aren’t learning.but ease is a sign that u aren’t learning” was inspired me alot..
I think kothagudem is the ryt district where u learn so many things,nd where u face many challenges,,how it is possible to u sir u take every difficulty as a challenge even in.ur preparation also…when u choose telangana cdr I felt vry hpy…please keep sharing ur journey, experience,nd thoughts,,,,I wish u to keep inspiring us sir…
Thank you….
I m coming Sir to experience the same….love u sir
Aadil (lazy IAS aspirant)
I wish you have a great journey from now as a Assistant Collector and may Lord Rama give you strength and blessings forever.
Thank you for your wishes.
Anudeep!
We have been running a Private school called Navabharathi High School in Neredmet, Sec’bad recognised by Govt of Telangana for 20 years. Maximum children are poor and come from slum area. Whenever you come to Hyderabad please visit our school to inspire our children.
All the best.
God bless you.
Roja Rani ambati
Hi Sir,
It is always a pleasure reading your article. It inspires me how beautifully you put forward your thoughts in a matter of few words. Good luck sir!
Regards,
Sanjeevani Sinha
Wonderful write up sir..keep inspiring like this.
Thank you
Hai Anudeep garu,
My in-laws live in Kothagudem, near Yellandu cross roads.
I feel some new energy whenever i got to see any of your videos of ur interviews… I started my upsc journey in 2016.. your mains marks sheet is the display picture of my laptop from 2018.. It always motivates me.
a small request, pls upload ur answer sheets whenever you got time..
My answer booklets are available in the GS-Mains post. Please check.
Sir Please Help Me I Am Eagarly Waiting For Your Response….
I Need Your Valuable Suggestion Sir….
Anudeep Sir, You have been a great inspiration for me. Your humility and simplicity have no match. This is another great write up. Please, always keep writing. And please write an article on Meditation and Mindfulness ?
Sure, thank you!
Sir ,please write an article on meditation and mindfulness.
Amazing ?
Chaala baa rasaav anudeep, me post chadhvesaaka kuda aa content influence untundhi mind lo run avthu.
Keep going?
Thank you Sai.
ante only first valakena reply
@Anonymous: maybe thanu busy ga unnaademo bayya…blog kante bayta thanaki oka life untundhi kada manalaane…chusinappudu isthaadu, nashtamenti…?
P.S : no hate intended?
I am waiting for a book written by u, or have u written and am I unaware of it?
Wow! This must be very interesting & exciting too!
Enjoy!! Best wishes.
Tnx for sharing your experience and inspirational article. You are a really great person and a great writer. You are my inspiration . I wish you achieve your goals………..thank you so much….
Thanks for sharing ur experience Sir 🙂
Plz do post the cases that you come across in the district . So that we’ll know the reality , how things work and inspire us to get into services .
Thank you!
Sir you are a great persnality and great person i always read your blog when you put it at here from your blog i always gain a positive motivation to reach my path .i want to become a IAS officer …thanku for sharing your experience Good luck sir…..
Sir you are a great persnality and great person i always read your blog when you put it at here from your blog i always gain a positive motivation to reach my path .i want to become a IAS officer …thanku for sharing your experience Good luck sir…..
again another new article BEGIN AGAIN…yay!!!! thanku anudeep sir for sharing all your thoughts and experiences with us which motivates lot of aspirants out there. there is really something special in ur articles that attracts readers..keep writing sir..with best regards :):)
Thank you!
Its nice post please keep sharing.
There’s a subtleness in your writing, and what you pointed about ‘challenges in learning’ is helpful to me! Write often!?
Thank you, Mrinal.
Dear Anudeep Durishetty,
“If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path.” -Buddha
you are lighting our path by inspiring thoughts so it will brighten your path .thank you really your challenging. Every person can win but preserving their character after winning is great.like you .shared post in twitter.
Give up success to preserve character; Don’t lose character in pursuit of success.” its great i realized it when i read it. sir great quotes you are sharing .
Thanking you,
vaishnavi
Hello anudeep sir your blog is always inspiring…and the way you express you thought in a writing style its awesome and I just love your blogs…and you’re the best combination of simplicity with a pure soul…
Thank you for giving us an inside view of life after UPSC/ LBSSNA. This truly makes me “look ahead” despite everything.
Your humility and profoundness reflects in each piece you write! Thank you for throwing a new perspective on things. Thank you for taking out time for doing this.
P.S.: I eagerly visit your blog every now and then in the hope of reading something new and learning how to write.
Best wishes for your district training! 🙂
Thank you for the wishes and the encouraging words!