Reflections

Entering inside the ‘not so secured’ gates of FSI, in the dead of night, no wonder, we were greeted by dogs. There was an eerie silence around, much in contrast to the life and verve of LBSNAA. We, ingenuously blamed it on time, took our keys and got into what, by LBSNAA standards, was a palatial apartment. That old sinking feeling of getting into the elite Indian Foreign Service, which was bashed blue and black by many in LBSNAA, for a moment got resurrected. But, the very next moment, concrete, open air badminton courts, two fitted in the space of one and studded with shredded nets, mocked at our eagerness to arrive at conclusions. Over the next day or two, we saw many colours of what would be our abode for another year and half. There were many pleasant things and few painful. We, in a fit of enthusiasm, sat down in the mess, whose roof seemed as fragile as our hopes, to discuss our immediate concerns. We came up with an elaborate wish list, which contained issues as innocuous as keeping the dogs out to as ambitious as getting everything completely refurbished. Next morning, we were given a patient hearing by our course coordinator, who intricately examined all our extravagant demands. The session was enjoyable, sprinkled with an extra dose of humour. We came out of the class laughing and strangely content. Our wish list was literally and metaphorically laughed off, without us, even realizing it. Welcome to the world of diplomacy.

After the agony of never ending lectures in FSI, we finally got a chance to break free. The visit to EFLU in Hyderabad was a nostalgic sojourn to the bylanes of literary aesthetics. It sent me back to those school days, when my father would read me the poems by Keats and Shelley.

Army attachment at Srinagar provided a sneak peek into the functioning of the most prestigious and the most revered of our organisations. The bewitching beauty of Kashmir valley, the heroic valour of our soldiers and warm hospitality of the army officers made for such an eclectic mix, that made a deep and lasting impression.

Finally, the much hyped and much anticipated Mission attachment came. We had heard a lot about it from the seniors. But, what we saw and experienced, far exceeded our expectations. Swanky cars, lavish hotels and most importantly, interactions with the political bigwigs right at the beginning of our careers, short visit to the mission gave us the real picture of the proverbial Ambassador’s club.

There were several other visits like the one to Mumbai, where we had the privilege of getting into nuclear reactors, submarines and warships. Also,the one to Ludhiana, where our hearts beat to the thundering music of the roaring Sukhois, taking to skies. These most proud moments of my life were also the most humbling ones in many ways.

All between this toil and rumble of life, there always used to be that dreaded abbreviation “TBC” in the timetable. It was sort of a cryptogram for all the presentations, Book reviews and other demanding jobs of a probationer’s life. Lecture Hall 6 would go down in the history as a venue where subtle lessons in diplomacy were imparted with great wit and humour and we imbibed them all mostly with laughter, but sometimes with agony.

Its almost an year, since we came to FSI. There have been moments of ecstasy and agony. The future looks challenging as well as exciting. Still, there is this constant and often futile comparison of services which takes much of our time and energy. The simple fact is, if you come to terms with the profile of your job, that you’ll have to spend lots of time away from your home  and there won’t ever be that much craved for “Lal Batti”, you’ll remain happy.

Our life is all about meeting new people, exploring new cultures, seeing and understanding the political functioning at the highest level. What we are assured of, is a decent standard of living and immense opportunities for intellectual growth. I am yet to find one IFS officer, who after spending few years in service, is still not able to impress me with his sophistication, knowledge, articulation or atleast gab.

As we embark on what promises to be a wonderful journey, am reminded of a beautiful urdu couplet,

“ Meri raah me naa hon manzilein, ki main khush nahin hun qayaam se,

Jo kabhi tamaam naa ho sake, mujhe uss safar ki talaash hai”

( Let there be no destinations on my way as I detest the idea of an end, I crave for a journey that promises to be eternal)

[Written on completion of training at Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi]