STRAIGHT TALKS

A LONELY CRY!  For decades, lead forced life puppet like. Afraid to disagree and was terrorised to agree. At home, Appa was a mix of Communism and EVR chauvinism. Never let me speak as he alone owned facts and opinions. It was no different at work with Government. Forbidden by law to speak in public and discouraged to express independent opinion in private. Never could  speak out convictions or react to issues. All angers, frustrations, insults were swallowed and digested for survival. And when I had temerity to express on rare occasions, was called arrogant, stupid , egoistic and misinformed. For decades could never claim that I was a devout Hindu and that I was proud of my ancestors . When informed that I desired to visit temples, many raised eyebrows. Some even remarked : ”We had thought of you as intelligent. Aren’t you Secular?”. I was tied. Was being Hindu, anti everything? Muslim Saibaba and Mother Mary were close to me. But my Hindu beliefs were derogated as superstit

TNPSC was always known as a Corrupt body since the days of Congress rule. Kids of Politicians and influential always got through the process. Though many able officers had walked out through its portal, there was no transparency ever in the process. Had seen brokers in Government estate where it’s office was located for decades , approach applicants in 1980s and 1990s offering them jobs on a deal. My office was then located next to it. Ability of some selected officers was termed as the success of TNPSC. Information dept too has no standards in recruitment yet there were many officers, some of them mere school pass outs who have shown great mettle and rose to be senior officers against constitutional mandate. Presence of Talent can never be a pretext for encouraging short cuts in recruitment. The system needs to treat all equal and that’s called Equality and Social Justice. Cesar’s Wife should always be above suspicion. Supreme Court too had come down earlier on the Group #1 selecti