Dr. Neilenthang Telien was born on May 26, 1985 and is the only son amongst four siblings of Dr. TR Kom and Dr. Alfina Ngakjanei Serto (Late) of Lower Kom Keirap Village, Churachandpur, Manipur. He secured 193rd rank in Civil Services Exam in 2012. He cleared Class X in 83% from St. Joseph's School Imphal in 2001 and class XII (Sc) in 80% from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Imphal in 2003. He has completed MBBS in 67% from Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal in 2010. He was awarded Gold Medal in Gynaeology.
Soon after graduation he worked in a mission hospital in Assam. There he was immensely touched by the plight of the people who were struggling for their two-square meals and ridden with poverty .This completely changed his aim in life, that is, to do something good for the poor people. This young doctor, within few years, became an IAS by securing the 2nd highest rank amongst the ST candidates and the topper of the entire Northeast states in the Civil Services Exam,2012.
Here is an exclusive interview of Dr. Neilenthang Telien with Mr. Bruce K. Thangkhal, Joint Editor of the CCpur based daily ZOGAM TODAY, at Delhi.
*ZOGAM TODAY=ZT and Neilenthang Telien= NLT
ZT: Its really nice to hear your success . Congratulations!
NLT: Thank You!
ZT: To whom and what do you credit your success?
NLT: First of all I give the credit to God. Next I would like to thank my family and friends.
ZT: How do you react when you hear the news?
NLT: My first reaction was- Thank God I don't have to give this exam again!
ZT: In how many attempt have you achieved this success?
NLT: This is my first attempt.
ZT: Were you confident enough to come out successfully in Civil Services Exam?
NLT: I was quite confident but I was also ready to give another shot.
ZT: Is IAS your ultimate career choice and aim in life?
NLT: No, it was not.
ZT: What is your position in the result? Which cadre have you opted?
NLT: My position is 193rd. I have opted for the Manipur cadre.
ZT: What is the secret of your success?
NLT: There is no secret just hard work and dedication.
ZT: Why do you choose civil services as a career?
NLT: During my work in a mission hospital in Assam I was exposed to poverty and sufferings of which I had no idea about. Just treating the people medically was not giving me any satisfaction and I wanted to do more. Hence my shift to the civil services.
ZT: In your opinion, is the profession of a doctor is less important than a civil servant?
NLT: I believe that no profession is less important than the other.Both of them are equally important.
ZT: What preference in services have you opted for and any particular reason for that priority?
NLT: I have opted for the IAS. I have opted for this because I believe that I will be able to work the best as an administrator.
ZT: Were you preparing for other career opportunities as well while preparing for the CS?
NLT: No I was not preparing for other career opportunities.
ZT: When did you start the preparation for CSE? When should one begin to prepare for this exam?
NLT: I started preparing for this exam from July,2011. There is no perfect time to start preparing for this exam. One should have a mature thinking and be prepared for the hardships that is to be faced while preparing for this exam.
ZT: What were your optional? On what basis one should select optional? Should one opt for the subjects studied at college or go for new ones?
NLT: My optional were Medical Science and Public Administration. One should select optional based on interest and aptitude. Whether one goes for subjects studied before or not is entirely upto the candidate.
ZT: It is said that CS is one of the toughest nuts to crack. It requires constant and sustained hardwork .How did you keep yourself continuously motivated? What was your source of inspiration?
NLT: I took a practical approach to study. I studied and analyzed issues from the perspective of an administrator which made my studies interesting. I also depended a lot on group discussions. My source of inspiration was from the poor people I served in Assam whose lives made me take this exam.
ZT: Tell us something about how do you prepared fro Prelims and Mains?
NLT: I did integrated study for all the three stages of the exam. I approached issues analytically and with a critical attitude. This a must now.
ZT: How much important is writing skills in Civil Services Exam?
NLT: It is very important but the thinking skills are more important than writing skills.
ZT: How many hours have you devoted for your preparation in a day?
I devoted around 4-5 hours of dedicated study everyday.
ZT: How do you tackle Negative Markings in Prelims?
NLT: I tackled this problem by not attempting too much. First I attempted those questions which I was 100% sure. Next I went for those questions which I was 50% sure.
ZT: Do candidates with science or technical background have an advantage over general students?
NLT: No, they don't.
ZT: Where did you prepare for the examination? Does the place of preparation matters?
NLT: I prepared for my exam in Delhi. It matters in the sense you need to buy good materials and find people to discuss with.
ZT: In the course of preparation, one is faced with many problems, queries and diffulties; where should one go for help or advice, especially the students staying in remote areas?
NLT: A PERSON WHO HAS GIVEN THIS EXAM SERIOUSLY IS THE BEST GUIDE. There is no other option even for those people staying in remote areas.
ZT: Did you join any coaching institutes? Is it necessary for CS aspirants?
NLT: Coaching is good when one does not have anyone to ask for guidance.
ZT: Which is the most difficult part of CSE and why? How do you prepare to tackle this?
NLT: All parts of the CSE were equally tough. I gave equal weightage to all.
ZT: Did you ever prepare notes? Can you tell us how helpful it is?
NLT: I did but not all the time. I made newspaper clippings and made side notes. I made notes only for those topics that needed thorough analysis. Note making is good and I would highly recommend it even though it's time consuming.
ZT: How can one score well in Essay, GS and Interview?
NLT: Clarity of ideas, ability to present things in simple ways and in a concise manner as well as the ability to interlink various subjects will go a long way in this.
ZT: Can you please share us some of the magazines, newspapers, Books etc. which you read for General Studies.
NLT: I read 2 newspapers The Hindu and the The Indian Express. For magazines I depended on Yojana, Kurukshetra, Frontline and EPW.
ZT: Is UPSC really unpredictable?
NLT: Yes ,it is.
ZT: How would you rate luck as far as success in Civil Services is concern?
NLT: 1%(One percent)
ZT: How did you prepare for the interview?
NLT: I attended some mock interviews. But I depended more on discussions with friends.
ZT: Which types of questions were asked in interviews? Did you answer all?
NLT: Questions were asked from different topics. I basically answered all. I have posted my interview on facebook and so everyone can have a look if interested.
ZT: What was your experience of the interview?
NLT: Very interesting. The board was cordial and nice. The interview then went on more like a conversation.
ZT: What is the most important thing, one should keep in mind, while facing the interview board?
NLT: Humility, honesty and showing respect are the most important things to remember.
ZT: During the interview, did the board members ask you any tricky question?
NLT: The chairman asked me one when he asked me to explain the statement- an ordinary life is an extraordinary life with which answer the chairman was very satisfied.
ZT: Was there any specific area they emphasized upon?
NLT: No. Nothing such.
ZT: Are you satisfied with the current pattern of exam? If not, what are your suggestions?
NLT: Iam very satisfied with the current pattern of exam.
ZT: Do you think Civil Services exam is true test of a candidate?
NLT: It is one way of checking and not the true test.
ZT: Does the educational and background of the family of an aspirant have any impact on the CS preparation?
NLT: Yes, it does have some extent but I have known people getting through with bad educational and family background.
ZT: What are your hobbies?
NLT: They include football, basketball and playing the guitar along with singing.
ZT: Who is your favourite person?
NLT: I don't have any particular person in my mind.
ZT: When and why did you come to Delhi?
NLT: I came to Delhi in July, 2011. It was for the purpose of preparing for the CS Exam.
ZT: Have you ever face any sort of discrimination in Delhi?
NLT: Nothing such.
ZT: Why do sometimes people from the North East face discrimination in Delhi? What is the main possible reason according to you?
NLT: Frankly it's because we look different and not all the people of this country know that there is a place called Manipur.
ZT: What role would you like to play for the development of the North East regions in general and Manipur in particular?
NLT: There are a lot of things I want to do. But I would like to concentrate on roads, education and tourism.
ZT: How can corruption be eradicated from our society as well as government institutions?
NLT: Corruption can't be eradicated by one man army. Everyone should do their bit in eradicating this problem. Even though it might take some time I believe that this evil will be removed.
ZT: What step would you suggest Manipur government should take up for those Civil Services aspirants, who are economically weak?
NLT: The government is currently giving incentives and I believe that it is a very important step.
ZT: What is your view on education system in Manipur?
NLT: It is good, but improvements can always be made. May be a shift from routine learning to creative learning and practical based learning will help in improving the education system.
ZT: How do you foresee your future as an administrator?
NLT: I see myself as a bringer of development wherever I am posted and I see myself as working mainly for the poor and the weak so that no one is left out.
ZT: What would you suggest to the aspiring candidates?
NLT: Learn to be creative and always be curious about new things. Enjoy preparing for the UPSC and don't let it be a burden.
ZT: Thank you very much for sparing your time and wishing you all the best in your future endeavours!
NLT: Thank You!
Courtesy: Zogam Today
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