A Journey for Justice

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.