The Foundation

When Manveer knocks the door and utters, ‘Chai Sir’, I know its 5AM and I tell myself that the day has begun. I had always thought that getting up at 5AM would be one of the most difficult things to do. Now I believe what I had thought previously is not important but what I have to do certainly is. The physical training with all the exercises really sets the day by bending and tuning all parts of the body, jogging around picturesque Mussoorie is a treat in itself. When we Break-the-fast, we really break it heavy!

The Foundation course which I am attending currently spans for nearly 3 months and brings together IAS, IPS, IRS, and other central civil services. It is a platform to develop rapport among future administrators. This is for me,ia currently a phase of transition, from the congested traffic of Bangalore to tranquility of Mussoorie, from Silicon Valley to Himalayan valley.

Classes start at 9AM and goes on till 4-30PM. We are taught Public Administration, Economics, Law, Management, and other basics of administration by very eminent personalities who come from different parts of the country.
‘Activity’ is the buzzword here. I always wanted to try my hand at different sports. Well, here I have been trying quite a few.. Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Billiards, etc. Movies also form a part of our life with screenings in the auditorium.

I had watched ‘Rock Climbing’ in ESPN. Now it was time to try it out. After climbing nearly 150feet vertically with barely anything to stand and hold upon along the vertical, it really gives tremendous satisfaction and confidence. The River rafting and para-sailing experience is equally fulfilling. Experience of adventure sports is one that I will cherish for long time.
When you conquer FEAR,
Confidence becomes very DEAR.

One of the best parts of the training was our trekking expedition in the Himalayas. We started off with Govindghat-ghangria stretch which is 15km uphill(On foot of course), and then climbed up 6km to Hemkund shrine(At 13,000 feet), which is a pilgrimage site for Sikhs. Then we headed to Mana, which is 4kms away from Badrinath and which is the last civilian village in Indian territory. We had tea at ‘Last Tea stall of Indian border’ and then started 15km uphill trek towards Gastoli. This route contains no human civilization and as we move up the oxygen levels dip, The only companion along is the mighty Himalayan mountains that made us feel that life is more than what we think it is. It was a humbling experience that would make anyone realize that Men many come and Men may go, the great Himalayas go on for ever. (Enough of philosophical lecture, I suppose). After we reached Gastoli at 15,000 feet, amidst cold winds and barren mountains, it was a chilling and thrilling experience. We played cricket match at 15,000feet(world’s highest cricket ground is it?). This will stand ‘very tall’ in my memory. After climbing down we visited Badrinath temple, Auli( which has longest/highest ropeway in Asia and also a skeeing paradise), Tehri dam, etc. The journey in narrow roads besides the Ganga, along RudraPrayag, DevaPrayag, KarnaPrayag, etc. is stupendous. ( I am running out of adjectives, please help me!). If you want me to put everything in one phrase, I would say it was ‘Experiencing life and its limits’ .

After the trek, equally fulfilling experience was a ‘ Village visit’ program, where we visited a remote village of ‘Nainagir’ in Madhya Pradesh( Shivpuri district) for nearly a week. We were shaken by the ignorance of people, amount of backwardness of villagers. We visited every house trying to learn and address their problems of poverty, unemployment, etc.. I also tried understanding the mid-day meal scheme that works in government schools, where every child gets a meal worth Rs.2/- every afternoon. I did realize that, for every toffee I and you buy, we could buy a meal to a child!

There is an India, where entrepreneurship, number of billionaires, CEO’s are growing. Shopping malls, designer clothes, etc. have become the order of the day. There is an India, where umpteen number of poor( more than 25,00,00,000) are looking at the sky praying for the rain gods to save their crops, deprived of primary health care, education, etc. There is an India which is sending satellite to moon, There is an India which is yet to give light to thousands of its villages. My complaint is not about the people who are already in the ‘ship of progress’, but about the size and inclusiveness of that progress ship which should also carry our rural, ignorant countrymen who are currently left out.

During the village visit, I tried my little bit by telling the villagers about their rights, government schemes, etc. After I told a small gathering about RTI act, an elderly person stood up to thank me. At that time, I thanked my ‘job/service’ for providing me an opportunity to be of some help to fellow human beings.

Activity, one after another was the hallmark of our Foundation course. As our Foundation Course is coming to an end, I know its only ‘The beginning’. The beginning of understanding and being a part of governance of this country.

Suhas L Y
( The views written in this article are entirely mine)