Interviewtimes 
The 50th rank holder of Odisha Civil Services 2019 Mr. Sudhansu Swain, recently had an detailed conversation with The Interview Times through questionnaire. Below is how the interview went :-
Q1- Whom you want to dedicate your success to and why ?
Answer: I will dedicate this success to my parents. My father had continuously motivated me towards being a civil servant as this will provide me the opportunity to serve the people in long term basis . He will put example of my grand parents; how they dedicated themselves for serving the people. Being a civil servant I can do that better; he knew. My mother would console me during my failures. She will remind me “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Q2- Would you please like you elaborate your journey of becoming an OAS?
Answer: I failed my last OPSC attempt(2018)by a few marks. It left me heart broken but not derailed. I focused upon the glorious goal that I have had set for me. This time I could overcome the lacunae in my preparation. Its exam of 1.5 years long. We need more than normal patience in life to be successful, often days will be become hectic. Getting tired at the end of the day was almost natural for me, still I had to pull in all the energy, motivation together and do the studies. During weekends I would visit Cuttack, where I would go to libraries, bookstores, meet other OPSC candidates, seniors, senior mentors to grasp as much as I can. Day in and out, whatever time or resource that I had, was dedicated for OPSC preparations.
Q3- What were the hurdles you faced and how did you got victory over them?
Answer: I had limited time. So I could focus and concentrate fully on my studies during this time. I had to sacrifice the weekend outings, events etc., for the purpose. 3-4 aspirants made a small WhatsApp group where we would discuss the study related doubts, strategies and information related to exams. I quit using any social media, didn’t talk to friends for years, as isolation keeps me focused. As I was staying in a remote area; I had a limited number of study materials. This was a boon in disguise. I could revise the materials multiple times; than going for 100s of materials available on-line or in bookstores. Whenever I felt tired or demotivated I would remind myself “ it’s a goal set by me for the betterment of people in need.” My family also paid a pivotal role. I often forget to call parents or my siblings. As they were well aware of my hardship and the goal; they will call me at least once a day to make me feel good. During the mains exam my younger brother made sure that I am least disturbed. He will arrange almost everything like my snacks, my clothes, how to reach the exam hall without stress; so that I can solely focus upon my studies in those crucial hours.
Q4- What is your ‘Success Mantra’
Answer: There is no particular , generalized success mantra. It may be there, but we need not bother about that. We have our own set of parameter , opportunities and challenges. We should know our own weakness and strength. We should know how and what to improve. A sense of service should compel us to work hard.
Q5- What do you like to do in your free time?
Answer: Usually I don’t get enough free time, but once in Blue moon, I watch Sci-friction and military documentaries as it showcases different strategies.
Q6- What advice would you like to give to our readers who aspires to become like you?
Answer: Why target me? There are so many people ahead of me. I have achieved success lately. One message to everyone who is reading this “we have to realize that our tine is limited, and hard work pays off sooner or later.”
Q7- Daily how many hours you were dedicating for preparation?
Answer: Ideally 8pm to 2am, sometimes 3am was my schedule. Plus study in patches during the day.
Q8- Any message do you want to share?
Answer: The journey is tough. We need to be tougher than the journey to stay in the race. There is no better feeling/happiness than spreading smile on faces of people. It may be your colleagues, friends, parents or spouse, or the people we are going to serve. Janata is Janardhan.
Image Courtesy : Mr. Sudhansu Swain
