19.Dec.2012 -
Vanchinad Express reached Trivandrum Central sharp at 9:50 am. I got out of C1
compartment and quickly went to Arya Nivas across the station. With two
idlis, two vadas and a cup of strong tea I was ready for the day ahead. From
there without waiting a minute, I rushed by auto and reached PSC Office by
10:30.
After taking copies
of all certificates and letters I went to the enquiry section and presented my
request letter. The enquiry officer was helpful and she directed me to the
Section IV, on the fourth floor. Along the corridor with piles of files and
papers I went inside the office – among the bundle of papers were few humans
immersed in their paper works. I met the concerned officer and explained my concern.
Yes, my case was
simple. With my 5 years experience in TCS (Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.) I
was more than eligible for the post I had applied for – as a Programmer cum
Operator in Kerala Beverages Corporation. Moreover I am among the short-listed
candidates who had cleared the PSC exam. My certificate verification was over
and I had presented my experience certificate in the requested format from the
Asst. Labour Officer. However, the PSC found its own way to reject me – first
stating I worked there as Trainee and when I presented my documents to clarify
that, they stated they have no proof to verify if I worked as a programmer in
TCS! To my surprise, the officer said she has not even heard about a company
called TCS! I realized, there is no point arguing as they seemed determined
that I am destined to be rejected.
Yet, with my
valiant pleas they allowed me to meet another officer. Luckily that officer at
least had heard about the company TCS. I calmly and humbly presented my matter
to her. She felt convinced, yet gave no promise. She just signed it and told
they will take a look at it. Again, the file was taken to the first officer.
“Ok. We are taking your request into our file. However, we are not taking
decisions here. There will be a PSC committee who shall go through your request
and if they feel they will select you” – “You will not get any further
notification. If you are selected your name will be in rank list. Else you are
rejected.” - what a brute – as if the attempts here are not to select an
eligible candidate but to reject as many as possible.
Dejected a little,
I came out and went to the enquiry again. This time asking permission to meet
Secretary of PSC. The officer, understanding my case, allowed immediately to
meet the Secretary. I prepared another long handwritten letter stating my
situation. In the long verandah close to the Office of the PSC Secretary I
waited for my turn to meet the Secretary. After almost 45 minutes wait, I
was allowed to meet him and present my request. He has heard about TCS, and he
somehow felt convinced with my facts. He put his notes in my letter but did not
say anything specific - he just asked his assistant to put it in file. The
meeting did not take longer than 3 minutes. I came out of the PSC office by
12:30 pm – not knowing if I have achieved anything.
Other than
presenting the case to the section and the Secretary, there was nothing more I
could do there. I knew, the decision again will go back to the whims and
fancies of the committee! And so is the case of many of my friends who also
were rejected stating odd reasons!
I had no time to
wait and think. I went to the print media Manorama on way taking more copies of
the notes sent by my friend. I explained our situation, which the Manorama felt
legitimate and they noted all the details. They promised to take it to the
editor and will get it in print. Soon I went to Deshabhimani, which also
promised to print it. By then it was past two in the noon and I rushed to
railway station – A kind gentleman saw me running in hurry dropped me at
railway station in his two-wheeler. Thanking him I rushed in.
2:20 pm,
Janashatabdi took off from Trivandrum Central. A long, lonely and at times
costly journey for truth and justice has just begun for me. I stretched in its
chair car again with the Autobiography of Mahatma – I was returning back with a
little spark of hope, a bunch of promises and with a lot of inspiration
emanating from the pages of the book in my hands.
