The 10th AYIMA Webinar was held on July 18th, 2021 which was on Civil Servants from within our Adivasi community, guiding and motivating the upcoming youth aspirants and sharing their lives’ experiences. The program initially was supposed to have four resource persons as Civil servants namely James Aind, Sekhar Jyoti Roy, Elima Kandulna and Masih Topno. But due to some last-minute duty call, Elima Kandulna could not attend the webinar. The program started with a short welcome speech by Gomke Bimal Lakra This was followed by setting up of the content of the program by Gomke Louis Aind who mentioned this day to be historic as it was most likely the first time when such young and dynamic civil servants from our beloved community were there present, ready to motivate us all. After this, the virtual stage was handed over to the resource persons, who shared their short introduction for about 10 mins. It was then followed by the question and answer period moderated by AYIMA panelist Gomke Pores Aind and it continued for the next 1 hour of the webinar with active participation. Finally, the webinar concluded by a quick sum up and vote of thanks by Gomke T. Jude Xalxo. There was quite a bit of excitement for this particular webinar and the day saw 92 participants in the Zoom meeting and about 84 in the Facebook page’s telecast.

Resource persons start with their introduction one by one and the first one to begin was Mr. James Aind, followed by Masih Topno and Sekher Jyoti Roy.

  • James Aind, Additional Deputy Commisioner, Karimganj, Barak Valley- Sir Aind hails from Kahatanpani Tea Estate, Bhengri in Tinsukia district of Assam. He passed his matriculation with 1st division in Philobaari and then moved to Doomdooma Don Bosco Junior College, where he passed in the Arts stream for his higher secondary under the able guidance of our very own Gomke Bimal Lakra. He then moved to Dibrugarh and graduated in Economics. He started his ACS journey in 2008 when he moved to Guwahati to pursue Civil services’ coaching. He sat for the Prelims and in December 2011 passed it, followed by passing the Mains examination in May of the following year. He sat for the Interview round in February of 2013 and cleared it successfully too. He joined as Asst. Commissioner in 2013 in Hailakandi and then as a Circle officer. He is deployed as ADC in Karimganj for the last 7 months. He mentioned the names of Gomke Louis Aind, Gomke Bimal Lakra and Rev. Bishop Joseph Aind as his biggest motivators who always believed in his capabilities. During his days of ACS preparation, he prepared a very inspirational song named, “Jeevan mein ek sapna ahe, unche stan mein pohuchek lai”, which he sang for us all and really made us all believe in the power of self belief.
  • Masih Topno, ACS, Asst. Commissioner and Executive Magistrate, Dhakuakhana -  Sir Topno hails from Jorhat district of Assam and shared with us that he completed his Xth from Rajabari, Borghola and his XIIth from Duliajaan. He completed his graduation in Jorhat itself but then moved to Guwahati for his post graduation from Cotton College, Guwahati University. He also sat for NET and cleared it in 2018. He did his coaching from Administrative Staff College and appeared his Prelims in 2016 which he passed and followed it with a successful attempt in Mains as well. But unfortunately could not clear the Interview round. He was always encouraged by Louis Aind to not give up and to provide for himself, he joined Borthakur IAS Academy as a faculty member where he learnt a lot. Sat for the exams for a second time and finally passed it this time under ACS category. He is currently stationed in Dhakuakhana sub division in Lakhimpur district.
  • Sekher Jyoti Roy – He traces his roots from Behali in Biswanath Chariali district. Passed his Xth in 2001 in Golaghat and XIIth from Swadeshi Academy in Guwahati in the year 2003. He graduated in Geography from Guwahati University and pursued MBA next from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology in 2008. He had a short stint after that in the private sector where he worked in an MNC and then also in the banking sector. He sat for the APSC exams for the first time in 2013 but could not clear the Interview round. Did not clear the same round even in the second attempt but did not loose heart and finally cleared it in 2016.

The stage was opened for everyone to put in their questions for the resource persons which went on for the next 1 hour –

1. Truth about back door influences or internal connections needed to get through APSC – A major concern from many Adivasi families and youth.

  • James Aind answered – With dedication we can definitely achieve our goal. He had economic challenges coming from a humble background but because of his unfailing determination, aim and motivation always, he could succeed.
  • Sekher Roy shared his parable behind how he had acquired his last name, being adopted by his family since the time of his forefathers. 

2. Is is possible to prepare for UPSC/APSC exams while doing full time job?

  • Masih Topno answered -Where there is a will, there is a way. Busy schedule should not come in anyone’s way. He highlighted the importance of “qualitative study over quantitative study”. What we study and how we study is important rather than how much we study.
  • Sekher Roy cited an example of his training batchmate who even with their very hectic schedule, still took time to prepare for UPSC and cleared it too!

3. Hurdles during APSC -  All the three resource persons equivocally answered that circumstances change people. But with determination, we can overcome every obstacle. Inner motivation is the key to success. Obstacles are not always tangible and hence we need to pay attention to mental stability and overall heath too.

4. Importance of joining a coaching centre to clear civil services exam – Every one said that it is not necessary that an aspirant need to always join a coaching centre however it is very important to have a right and able mentor in their lives who can always guide them t remain focussed and motivated. 

5. How to avoid some of the common distractions of the youth – They mentioned that it is not recommended that one is only studying and not socialising at all. However, everything needs to be done only in moderation. Importance of having the right friends around who would only motivate you by their positive vibes was highlighted here. 

The session went on to have many such questions put up by interested viewers and by the end of an hour or so, the program headed towards it conclusion with the vote of thanks presented by Gomke T, Jude Xalxo.

Posted by
Rose Merlyn Nag