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.
I admire you so much Anudeep Sir. Not because you are an IAS officer, but because even after being AIR 1 in such a prestigious examination, you are so humble. It is your personality that makes you stand out. Your journey of hard work and perseverance is something I always remember whenever UPSC cycle brings me down. Keep inspiring Sir. Wish you happiness and success.
Thank you, Fangirl. Nice name! 😀
really nice sir. share your experience .i am exited your writing sir.
Could you please give guidance for working professionals to prepare for CSE? It will be a great help.
Anna Jai Telangana, Ippudu ekkada post ayyavo cheppanna vachi kalustha
kothagudem khammam
I can use that quote somewhere…:-D
Hi Sir,
Thank you for such an inspirational, helpful and interesting blog. Like everyone, I do wanna praise you for your writing skills ,simple yet effective. And the way you make me feel like I should pay a visit to your blog every now and then. I wanted to quote this here for you, “Inspiration is one thing and you can’t control it, but hard work is what keeps the ship moving. Good luck means, work hard. Keep up the good work – Kevin Eubanks” . We wish to hear more from you.
Thank for reading it, Alka. Hope to keep writing.
Dear sir,
Happy birthday to you.may God bless you with endless sucess and wishful life.?????????????
Regards ,
Vaishnavi
Dear sir,
Once again many more happy returns of the day anudeep sir.
Regards,
Vaishnavi
Dear sir ,
Good morning happy birthday to you sir.
Regards
Vaishnavi
I’m feeling very happy nd pround like u person posting to my home town. I inspired by u alot sir.Bhadradri dist people treats u like there family members. All the best Sir.
Hello sir, I feel your blog should be the first site that any fresher should visit. Your experience makes you unique among all the toppers. A billion thanks for putting your experience into this fabulous site to help us. I have few queries
1. Do you recommend magazines CSR, PRATIYOGITA DARPAN and sites like STUDYIQ. Please comment “why” we don’t need these, if any.
2. You recommend non-fiction books but do books like “Dan browns -Angels and demons” which belongs to fiction help us. I feel books such as these are thought provoking and please suggest more books if you feel yes and also “why”if we don’t need such books.
I am asking these to know your opinion kindly comment…..
1. Use them specifically. By this I mean you should buy only to read any specific topic covered in detail in a particular issue. For example, if any month’s edition of CSR summarises Economic Survey very well, then buy only that issue, read that specific topic and file it for future revision. I didn’t find any need to buy every month’s issue.
2. Fiction is for leisure, like watching a movie. Clearly it isn’t relevant from exam’s perspective.
Belated happy birthday sir. Keep shining
Thank you for the wishes.
Sir I am also preparing for upsc and going to appear exam in 2021. But my feedback is not good as many other aspirants. I not an iitian nor topper. I always work hard but I don’t know what’s wrong with my dedication or my luck. I never got what I want in spite of working hard.
And now the situation is that no one trust me that I can clear upsc.
Can only gold medalist or toppers clear this exam?
Plzz guide me sir
I am ur dieheart fan. You aremy mentor.
And I am just waiting for day when I’ll see u live just once?
I didn’t study in the IIT, nor have I been my college topper. But I think I did well in UPSC, don’t you think? Your rank depends on how well you perform in the exam. Rest is irrelevant.
Really great sir…!!
Ur in such a prestigious job…don’t even have time to see all these replies….but surprisingly ur giving replies to each and everyone….?
Ur blog is extremely helpful and how can we meet you personally….is it possible or not sir…?
Sir how can i improve my decision making
Your writings are really great Anudeep Garu !! I actually wait for your new posts. When i read it, i feel like am on the ground there with you. Keep writing for us sir. And on this new beginning, you are on your way to do some great things indeed. Congratulations and my best wishes for your new role as a civil servant !! Keep going Anudeep garu !!
Thank you so much, Harish.
Hi sir, Good Day
Many of civil servant who are secured good rank, they guided up to some period of time only then they may busy with their work, but still you are guiding many new aspirant and surely i want to say one think that you are responding every comments that is great attitude ..
you are bench mark in this field, god bless you bro..
Writing and teaching are my passion. As long as I love doing them, this blog will remain alive and kicking!
Dear Anudeep,
You have a a great attitude and very humble behavior.
Belated happy birth day wishes.My birthday too is on the same day.
Always keep your smile.
Hello Anudeep sir,
No need to mention that whenever I read your blogs. I get something from it, that makes me keep thinking and learn a lesson from it.
“Difficulty is not a sign that you aren’t learning, but ease is a sign that you aren’t learning”
So true, we mostly seek and take shelter of ease and thought that we get better learning in this shelter. “Ease is a greater threat to progress than Hardship”
“A blank Slate and learn with Child-like curiosity”
This statement makes me smile and give me a lesson. To be always blank slate and be in the child mode. “As a child has the zeal to learn everything from his surrounding” “Curiosity”.
pardon me to forget your birthday sir,
Belated Happy birthday,
I wish to meet you.
Take care, sir.
I feel happy when someone finds my writings of some value. Very kind of you, Hemant.
And thank you for the birthday wishes.
Anudeep!
We have been running a Private school called Navabharathi High School at Neredmet recognised by Govt of Telangana from 20 years. Most of the children are very 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.
Ambati Roja Rani
madam,
i pay tribute to the work you are doing .its very elated profession.
Regards,
Vaishnavi
Roja garu, I am currently not in Hyderabad. Will let you know when I am back.
Thank you very much Anudeep!
I hope you visit surely.
Roja Rani Ambati
Congrats. And great opportunity to service our home state
“Having been brought up in this state, I feel I should have been better informed.”
So, I hope measures will be taken to avoid this statement coming from any other individual, as country’s best ranker have already encountered it.
Love and blessings to this great man ……u r going to be a game changer…….would change life of millions ………..thanx
Anjani Roushan
Hi brother…I am a resident of kothagudem and I am preparing for upsc….Can I meet you?
Sir, your style of writing has some qualities of uniqueness and very adorable. Looking farther for a non-fiction book from you based on your adventures. It’s quite pleasing to read you.
You are Amazing and very inspiring… i saw you interviews, you have very good understanding about so many things at very young age.. please keep writing and inspiring!
आज मैनें आपकी पोस्ट को फिर से पढ़ा और पढ़ते ही ऐसा लगा कि ‘मानो सारी थकान दूर हो गयी हो।’कुछ ऐसा एहसास कि सबकुछ नया सा है, जीवन खूबसूरत है बहुत खूबसूरत ……………..जब भी मैं बहुत थका हुआ सा या हारा हुआ सा महसूस करती हूँ तो आपकी पोस्ट पढ़ती हूँ या आपकी विडियो देखती हूँ ।विजन आई.ए.एस. द्वारा अपलोड की गई आपकी विडियो को मैनें कई बार देखा है और हर बार एसा लगता है, मानो पहली बार देख रही हूँ ।आप मेरे प्रेरणा स्रोत हैं,आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद ……………………………….?????
आज मैनें आपकी पोस्ट को फिर से पढ़ा और पढ़ते ही ऐसा लगा कि ‘मानो सारी थकान दूर हो गयी हो।’कुछ ऐसा एहसास कि सबकुछ नया सा है, जीवन खूबसूरत है बहुत खूबसूरत ……………..जब भी मैं बहुत थका हुआ सा या हारा हुआ सा महसूस करती हूँ तो आपकी पोस्ट पढ़ती हूँ या आपकी विडियो देखती हूँ ।विजन आई.ए.एस. द्वारा अपलोड की गई आपकी विडियो को मैनें कई बार देखा है और हर बार ऐसा लगता है, मानो पहली बार देख रही हूँ ।आप मेरे प्रेरणा स्रोत हैं,आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद ……………………………….?????
Sir, It is very inspiring to read your write-ups. Please provide us some tips on preparation for Telangana Group I services also as it will be very useful for people who are preparing it. Also if possible , please make some you tube channel specifically for TS group I aspirants who are unable to afford classroom coaching services due to financial issues.
Hi sir. Myself Tony an ias aspirant from chandrugonda mandal of Bhadradri kothagudem district. I am so glad to hear that you are being posted in my district and I would like to meet to soon sir.
Your words always boost me up…(◍•ᴗ•◍)✨