Interviewtimes 
Mr. Pradeep Mirase, currently working as DFO, Sundargarh ( Sundargarh Forest Division) is a 2015 batch IFS officer and is native of Yavatmal district in Maharashtra.
Mr. Mirase pursued B Tech in Dairy Technology from College of Dairy Technology, Nagpur University and completed his Post Graduation in M Tech, Dairy Technology from National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Bangalore.
He also cleared the ICAR NET examination and thereafter joined as an Assistant Professor in College of Dairy Technology. He continued for a period of one year post which he left the college to achieve his ultimate aim of qualifying for civil services.
The Interview Times had a great conversation with Mr. Pradeep Mirase through questionnaire. Below are the answers he responded to the questionnaire.
Q1- Tell us something about your journey of becoming an IFS officer?
Answer- Fascination for forest and wildlife was always there for me since childhood, but when my roommate and now senior in the service got selected for IFS, I came to know in details about IFS as an All India Service. UPSC started having a common prelims for CSE and IFS exams in 2013. So, while preparing for the civil services exam, I appeared for the IFS exam in 2014 and cleared it in the first attempt with AIR 49.
The journey was beautiful, though not a smooth sail. I had appeared three times in a row for CSE interview, but could not get ranking in the final list. I thought about appearing for the IFS exam and got through it in 1st attempt.
Having come from a humble and middle class background, it was very difficult to resign from the existing job (Assistant Professor) and prepare full time for the exam. But, I could do it because of the encouragement and support of my mother and my sisters.
One thing I must mention is that to be able to perform at your professional front, a balance in personal life is a must. For this, I am grateful to have my wife, Sonal, in my life for supporting me in all the phases of my life.
Q2- What could be termed as best memories of your training period?
Answer- The whole training period was memorable with lots of sweet memories to cherish for the lifetime. However, the most interesting and exciting part was the study tours. All India tour with visit to different National Parks, Sanctuaries, Institutions and interactions with people and staff will always be itched in the memory. Foreign tour to Spain and Italy as a part of Overseas Exposure to forestry practices was the peak of it.
Q3- What motivated you to go for Indian Forest Service?
Answer-I came to know about IFS as a service through my roommate and now a senior in the service. He only guided me to appear for the service. I was always motivated to join civil services and work to create whatever small difference I can in people’s lives. Fortunately, through IFS as a service, I am now working closely with tribal communities for their upliftment and encouragement. For coming into civil services only, I resigned from the earlier jobs and also did not join other services I got through state PSC, SSC and UPSC.
Q4- How did it feel achieving your aim of becoming an IFS officer?
Answer- Achieving success in life is always satisfying. However, I think it increases your responsibility multifold, as after becoming an IFS officer, the mandate became to speak and stand for the forest and wildlife, to appreciate the intangible benefits we receive freely from nature and the environment, to make aware people about their roles and responsibilities for the conservation of biodiversity and environment as a whole.Q5- What all activities do you prefer to engage in during your leisure time?
Answer- I am a die hard music lover and also like to sing songs as my hobby. I think music helps me relieve stress whether by listening to it or by singing. Though I am an amateur at music, but I feel I could listen to and appreciate the smaller details of song. So, whenever I get time I listen to songs (classic Hindi, Marathi, Kannada and now Odia songs). I am also a big movie buff and I like to watch movies in my leisure time.
Q6- Would you please like to share any message for our readers?
Answer- I would like to request all to be more responsible towards nature and the environment through your actions. Individual efforts, in whatever small way it can be, towards the ecological conservation will lead to a very large effect in the long run. Small efforts like no littering, keeping your area clean, not kindling fire inside forest, saving wildlives, helping the forest staff in their protection efforts, etc will lead to a big difference in conservation efforts and a secure, sustainable future for all.
As per my experience, the conservation efforts can be effectively implemented with the full involvement of local people only. With this, we will not only be helping nature to stabilise itself but also will save ourselves from the Ill-effects of Global warming and climate change.
Q7- What would be some tips from you for IFS aspiring people?
Answer- I would like to request IFS aspirants or for that matter aspirants for any service to keep an aim in mind and work tirelessly to achieve that. Keep aim high and strive to reach that height. With hard work and consistent efforts, this can be achieved surely. I would also like to tell them that please enjoy the journey of this preparation, as you will at least come out an informed, balanced and responsible citizen out of this process, with lots of experience, knowledge and memories.
Specifically for IFS aspirants, I would like to tell them that they should prepare for this service to serve for the mute yet highly significant Forest & wildlife. You may not get any recognition or accolades, but at the end of the day, you will surely get satisfaction out of your work/job. You can be a silent warrior, but with a goal of a sustainable future in your mind. Besides, this is the only service which pays you to be with nature and enjoy some of the best natural locations while doing your job.
Photo credit – Mr. Pradeep Mirase
