Sikkim’s third through the UPSC challenge this year

iNSPIRED

Last week, NOW! published a parallel interview with two of the three Sikkim students who have cleared the UPSC exams this year. Tenzing Loden Lepcha completes the successful trio and although the plan was to publish the interviews of all three together, he could not be contacted in time for various reasons. Here we complete the conversation:

TSHERING EDEN

NOW: How does it feel to have cracked the UPSC exams?

TENZING: Thankful, thankful to God that I could make it through to the final list and then it’s a feeling of relief that the hard work that I have put in has brought dividends and then finally its sheer happiness.

How did you prepare for it? Coaching classes, number of study hours, the choice of subjects and so on...

Well, since I was working I could not attend any coaching classes; also, I had limited time at my disposal so my strategy was to ensure that I study at least 4 hours on weekdays and 7-8 hours on weekends. This was my work plan for the 1.5 years that I took to clear this exam.

Apart from the usual 4 hrs I ensured that whenever I had time at hand in office I would look at online materials for current affairs from websites like Wikipedia, www.thecalibre.in, government websites etc. This helped me with my general studies content which is an important part of this exam.

From the optional subject point of view I took Public Administration and Psychology primarily because the subjects interested me and at the same time the materials for these subjects are easily available and this makes things simpler while chalking out the study plan.

What were the most difficult times for you during the preparation and the exam? How did you deal with them?

Preparing for civil services is one of the most interesting yet arduous processes that one can go through, the sheer length of the exam process and the uncertainty of the outcome at the end of it is taxing on your faculties both mentally and emotionally. Some days the preparations are really good and on other days self doubt creeps into your mind and you feel emotionally exhausted.

What is important is to constantly speak with your near and dear ones so that there is an avenue to release the negative emotions and get recharged to continue the preparations with motivation.

As for me I would constantly talk with my parents and my fiancée who has been an immense source of motivation and encouragement through this journey. They have been the cornerstone of my emotional strength and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Considering not many from Sikkim opt or clear the UPSC exams. Was that discouraging or a challenge for you?

Well the thought never occurred to me when I started off as by then Agya Karma Bonpo ( IAS Sikkim Cadre 2010 ) had already got through the exams , but when I was thick into preparations the enormity and the difficulty level of this exams dawned upon me. So, yes the start was not much of a problem but what became challenging was the process of keeping myself motivated for this exam. Eventually by Gods grace, a bit of effort and my support system from my family, fiancée and friends I could make it through.

As a continuation of the earlier question, what made you take on UPSC exams considering it is almost seen as ‘impossible’ by most here in Sikkim? So, what was your motivation?

Well the reasons for starting the preparations was very personal, but as things progressed and I started to understand the importance of these services the feeling of being able to be a part of a system that brings about change and development was a huge motivating factor in itself. The prestige that comes with the job is also an added benefit. Lastly, getting through this exam would mean that I might get a chance to serve the people of Sikkim in a capacity that would be very satisfying and enriching.

What was the reaction of friends, family, even acquaintances when they first came to know that you plan to sit for these exams?

ENCOURAGEMENT, that’s the one word that would best describe the reaction of my family and friends when I decided to sit for this exam. After that it was all-out support in whatever way they could do like providing pep talk when I doubted myself, regular visits to Enchey Monastery on my behalf, getting certain documents attested so on and so forth.

Having been through it all, what advice or suggestions do you have for those in Sikkim who aspire or are preparing for the civil services?

All I can say is Believe in yourself, don’t think that there are 4 lakh candidates sitting for the exam, instead think that you are amongst that few thousand who are serious about this exam and as such you have the best chance of getting through. With this belief and attitude dive straight into preparations and keep communication with your support systems of family and friends. If you take this approach success will surely be yours.

Finally, what is life like post the dreaded exams?

Well, it’s not changed much; just that I am waiting for my Service allocation so that things get clearer and in the meanwhile I am serving my notice period in my current job which ends next month. Apart from that I am a bit relaxed , been catching up on some movies and the usual stuff and the icing on the cake is that as I am assured a service with the Government of India which makes these few months blissful! 

Special! 3/4,50,000 Special!

iNSPIRED

NITIN NEGI AND TSETEN NORDON CARGYAL, TWO OF THREE FROM SIKKIM WHO  CRACKED THE UPSC EXAM THIS YEAR, ON THEIR SUCCESS

Nitin Negi

Three young Sikkimese cracked the Union Public Service Commission exams this year. Nitin Negi, Tseten Nordon Cargyal and Tenzing Loden Lepcha have made it past the all India selection process which had around 4.5 lakh applicants this year. The three Sikkimese have found place in the 910 who were finally selected and are now waiting for their service and cadre allocation, which will take place in July.

Tseten Nordon Cargyal

Over the years, the state has seen many successfully clear the UPSC exams but three in a year makes for quite a success story. With its beginnings set during the British Raj, the historical significance and import adds to the glory of being part of the civil services. The plethora of opportunities that free economy has opened up is yet to diminish the number of aspirants or the prestige associated with the civil services. A job with the UPSC offers respect, security, a comfortable pay-check, the opportunity to serve the public and more importantly the power to bring about real change.

There are three stages in the examination, starting with the Prelims or Preliminary Examination. Candidates who make it through the Prelims then sit for the Main Examination (Written) who are then further shortlisted for the Personality Test or Interview which is the final test of the candidate’s mettle. After successfully clearing the examination the candidates are then allotted cadres based on their ranking in the merit list. The high rankers are allotted the Indian Administrative Service [IAS], Indian Foreign Service [IFS] or the Indian Police Service [IPS]. Others get into Group A or Group B services which include the Indian Revenue Service [IRS], Indian Audit and Accounts Service, and so on, based on their rankings.

A chosen candidate is sent for training. After training he or she is sent as a probationary officer serving under the district magistrate or in government schools, secretariats, and other postings which involve on the field experience. The positional hierarchy is as follows: Under Secretary; Director; Joint Secretary; Additional Secretary; Secretary; Cabinet Secretary.

In the districts the highest position belongs to the district magistrate and the deputy commissioner is in charge at the divisional stratum. Based on seniority, an officer may be chosen to represent the country at international bodies like the WHO, UNHCR, etc.

As the three from Sikkim who got through the all India civil services exams this year await allocation of their respective cadres, NOW!, got in touch with two of them to know what the whole experience has been like and to get some words of encouragement and advice for others from the state interested in a career in civil services. 

How does it feel to have cracked the UPSC exams?

NITIN: Cracking the UPSC civil services exams feels really good! Last year I had reached the interview stage but could not make it to the final list and it did feel bad when I missed out then. It took quite a lot of effort, patience and luck to achieve it. Though my ranking is not so good to get into an All-India Service, I would like to try on improving my rank by reappearing.

TSETEN: It is a gamut of emotions...happy, relieved, vindicated but above all BLESSED!

How did you prepare for it? Coaching classes, number of study hours, the choice of subjects and so on...

NITIN: I took coaching for optionals i.e. Public Administration and Geography in Delhi. General Studies I prepared on my own.  The subjects I chose were basically because of my interest in those subjects. A few months ahead of the examinations I would put in at least 6-8 hours of studies which increased gradually with exams nearing.

TSETEN: I attended coaching for my optional subject, Psychology, as it is quite a technical subject and I had no background in it.  Public administration is a very general subject which can be mastered by going through standard books and being aware of what is going on in the country in terms of administration.

I did not have any fixed number of study hours but I would just like to dispel the notion that this exam needs 15 hours of study everyday!! That’s impossible and a highly exaggerated figure... more than quantity its the quality that matters.

I worked with weekly targets rather than the number of study hours.

What were the most difficult times for you during the preparation and the exam? How did you deal with them?

NITIN: At times it was really hard to keep the motivation going, to put in the effort and hours for the exam. However, family, friends and well-wishers were always around encouraging. Also the civil services exam demands lots of patience and perseverance which I developed over the years with my trials with earlier attempts.

TSETEN: The nature of the exam is such that it takes a whole year... starting from prelims in May, mains in October and the interview in April next year. Firstly, it was a constant struggle to keep ourselves motivated and not get distracted. It IS a general tendency to slack after one stage and begin studies seriously for the next stage. 

Secondly, the doubt of making it or not? Having a close knit circle of friends preparing for the same exam and supportive family members helped me stay on track.

What made you take on UPSC exams considering it is almost seen as ‘impossible’ by most here in Sikkim? What was your motivation?

NITIN: Over the past couple of years we have consistently had people from Sikkim cracking the exams which has been a very encouraging sign. While, not having many from Sikkim should be a challenge not only for me but for every aspirant from Sikkim to prove that it is possible to compete and excel at this level for people from Sikkim too and be a part of the civil services, however the disadvantage of it is we have none or very few to seek for guidance when we are starting with the preparations.

My strongest influence and inspiration has been my father, who recently retired from the Indian Police Service. And my late mother was always a source of constant motivation, she was in the state government service. Their struggles and achievements have always been inspiring. At the same time, civil services provides one of the best platforms to serve the people and the country.

We in Sikkim have also been really fortunate to have had some such civil servants serving and leading with example, their contribution and dedication in serving the people and the state have been inspiring.

TSETEN: I was influenced by my father, who is in the Indian Information Service, an allied service under the civil services. The nature of the job wherein life changing policies are made, the social prestige and the challenges the service provides in changing lives of many people, particularly the poor and downtrodden....motivated me. I was optimistic that it was not impossible to crack the exam, given the determination and hard work.

What was the reaction of friends, family, even acquaintances when they first came to know that you plan to sit for these exams?

NITIN: I have always had encouraging and positive reactions from family and friends. In fact my parents were greatly determined to see me achieve my goal of joining the civil services. It is really necessary to have positive vibes around you when you are appearing for such an examination which demands a lot of effort and patience.

TSETEN: My family and friends were supportive and encouraging.

Having been through it all, what advice or suggestions do you have for those in Sikkim who aspire or are preparing for the civil services?

NITIN: My advice to aspirants from Sikkim would be to be very sincere with their efforts, remain focussed and to be patient. I would also like to suggest future aspirants that having a back up plan as far as jobs or studies are concerned when they plan to sit for the UPSC Civil Services examination is desirable, though I myself had no such back-up plan when I began with my preparations. However for the past one year I had been working on other options too along with the civil services exams, with me getting through some banking exams like the IBPS exam and State Bank of Patiala PO and also having secured a seat for MBA in Rural Management in the Institute for Rural Management Anand (IRMA). So I had a few other options in case I would not have got through this year.

TSETEN: My advice to the aspirants would be....believe in yourself, don’t give up because when you give up you never know how close you were to success. If you are determined then nothing is impossible!

Finally, what is life like post the exams?

NITIN: Having my name on the final list of selected candidates was a dream come true! It is a really happy, proud and satisfying feeling. As I have already mentioned my rank is not good enough to get me into an All-India Service so I would like to try getting into it by reappearing and improving my rankings however as of now I am looking forward to joining the service which I would be allotted. I would like to thank all my family, friends, teachers and well-wishers for their support, encouragement and 'positive vibes'. I would like to specially thank Mr. AK Chand (IPS) Sir for his guidance in my preparation during the past one year.

TSETEN: I had always imagined this moment to be grand and out of the world but frankly, not much has changed. Other than the fact that I now have a very good job... life is still the same!

Tseten suggests...

GENERAL STUDIES

1. Magazines like Chronicle, Yojna, Science Reporter

2. History NCERT books, class 11 and 12

3. WIZARD geography 

4. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity 

5. Wikipedia

6. Newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

1. New Horizons by Mohit Bhattacharya

2. Public Administration by Fadia and Fadia

3. Indian Administration by Fadia and Fadia

4. 2^nd ARC Reports of Veerappa Moily Committee

5. M.M. Punchi Commission Reports on Centre State Relations

6. IIPA journals

PSYCHOLOGY

1. Robert Baron’s Book on Psychology

2. NCERT Class 11 and 12

3. Any reliable coaching notes

3. Wikipedia 

A Special Educator

iNSPIRED: A new section in NOW! to peek into options beyond the routine

TSHERING EDEN
“At the end of the day, when I see a special child I have worked with being able to walk normally even if it is just a few metres, make sense when he or she talks, or just be able to go through one day like everyone else, it makes it all worthwhile,” shares SWETA RAI, a special educator working at a reputed inclusive school in Bangalore. Sweta, who hails from Sikkim, has been working in the education sector for the past five years or so.
Following her graduation from St Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, she went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Loyola College of Education at Namchi. She then moved to Bangalore where she first worked in the mainstream education sector as a teacher for ‘regular’ children. It was during this time that she came across special children since the school she was teaching at was an inclusive school. An inclusive school is one that allows children with special needs an opportunity to interact with a community of teachers and able-bodied students in a normal school environment. It is different from a “mainstream” education because there is no differentiation between general education and special education.
A lot of people might recall Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” where the child protagonist suffered from dyslexia, a disorder which occurs when there is a problem in areas of the brain that help interpret language. However, there are numerous other disorders like Autism, ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder], Dyspraxia, Asperger’s Syndrome, Learning Disability [LD] and others that children suffer from but are often ignored or mistaken for a behavioural issue. Such children need special attention and education strategies also need to be accordingly wired to suit these children. This is where special educators figure in. Educators or teachers trained to handle and teach special children. Although the concept has caught on in urban India, most schools that provide special education or even inclusive education are concentrated in the urban centres and there is still a huge lacunae in the rural areas. In this context, Sikkim lags far behind.
The dearth of special educators is nation-wide and not many venture into this field. Teaching as a profession ranks quite high in popularity in Sikkim and unlike the metros, is still seen by many here as a viable career. However, there are very few like Sweta who have made special education a serious career choice. If making a difference in the individual lives of children with special needs where everyday offers a gratifying experience and a challenge to overcome seems to be your calling then ponder over and make that choice as Sweta tells us all...

NOW: How did you get into this line of work?
Sweta: Well, I was teaching at this inclusive school here which had some special children as well. There were these Tibetan twins with ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] in my class who were uncontrollable. They were hyperactive and would get violent with other children in the class. It was very difficult to handle them. There was a special educator in the school and I got to know of this course that the Spastics Society of Karnataka offered. During the one-year course at the Society where I was trained and volunteered as well I got hands-on experience of working with children with special needs, some of whom suffered extreme disorders. After completing the course I then joined the school that I am currently working with as a Special Educator.

What is the work all about? A typical day on the job.
A special educator’s job is not just about academic teaching but about enabling a child with valuable life skills. There are some kids who cannot even tie their shoe laces so we have to find a way to teach such skills, that may seem ordinary to normal people, but can be mind boggling for such children. I don’t take regular classes but for particular children who need help I take 45 mins to 2 hour classes in the afternoon session, depending upon the intensity of the child’s disorder. Say when a new child joins the school, I first observe the child’s behaviour and make an informal assessment of the child. Then we talk to the parents and if there is a need ask them to go for a formal assessment which means taking the child to a psychologist. Depending upon the result of this formal assessment I discuss it with the parents and other staff of the school to chalk out a plan. If the child is in class 2 but his/her learning and other skills are that of a class 1 child then my job is to get this child on track and bring him/her upto the required level. I also advise parents on how to handle their child at home. We also make IEPs or Individualised Education Plan for such children and chart out the requirements of each individual child.
Like, there was this 4 and a half year old child with Down’s Syndrome who could not walk on his own and could not talk properly but by the end of the year he could walk on his own and I also taught him sign language so he could communicate. At the moment I am working with this child with cerebral palsy whose one half of the body is affected which means he cannot walk, talk or write normally. Including him in activities with other normal children is important so in the football team he has been kept as the goalkeeper which does not require him to run around.

Job satisfaction?
Oh it is extremely satisfying! I enjoy my work and look forward to going to school everyday. When you see the progress in a child it makes all the hardwork worthwhile so, I would say it is a very satisfying job.

What are the challenges of working in this line?
It takes time to adjust in the beginning, as it also takes time for the child to get used to you and develop that trust. Convincing the parents of a child with disorders is another challenge. Very often it is difficult to convince parents that their child is suffering from a disorder. Working with special children can also be unpredictable at times because sometimes you might see rapid progress in a child and the next moment the child would have gone back to behaving like he/she used to so you have to be patient and take it up as a challenge.

What are the best and worst parts of the job?
This job keeps me on my toes most of the time, not just physically but also mentally. You have to be creative in handling these kids and devise new and different methods of dealing with different disorders and children. There is no fear of stagnancy as you have to keep coming up with new ideas, which also means you have to keep yourself updated and undertake research on the different disorders. Also as you have to physically handle these kids fitness is important, so it keeps me fit as well!
On the not-so-positive side, I would say is that you have to be ready to take work home as well. Your patience is tested to the limits as well in this line. There was this kid that I was working with who had an attention span of 3 seconds! You have to be really patient and focussed in dealing with such cases.

What is the pay package like?
For starters one can expect maybe somewhere around Rs 15,000 but it all depends on your experience and the kind of school. In a reputed school you could get Rs 20-25 thousand plus.

Do you have plans of coming back and working in Sikkim? 
Yes, I do hope to come home after some years and start something there...maybe collaborate with someone who is also interested, let’s see. Right now I feel I need to gain more experience here.

Your views on special education in Sikkim.
Awareness on special education is one important thing that Sikkim needs I think. My mother is also a teacher working in Sikkim and she calls me up at times to ask for advice on how to handle such kids. I think teachers there also need awareness. The schooling there is all auditory based that is the teacher talks and the children listen and no other learning skills are taken into consideration. If a child has problems interpreting what he hears then the teaching fails. There are various other modes of teaching and learning. Howard Gardner has this theory of multiple intelligence. If a child who takes more time to master simple multiplication may best learn to multiply through a different approach, may excel in a field outside of mathematics, or may even be looking at and understanding the multiplication process at a fundamentally deeper level, or perhaps as an entirely different process.

Your honest advice to those who want to work in this line?
Lots and lots and lots of patience!

OPTIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

Aspirants can pursue any of the various specialised courses that are available at all three levels - bachelors, masters as well as diploma. Before enrolling for any of the courses a candidate must ensure that the institute where he/ she is pursuing the course is approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Professionals who have been trained at institutes not approved by the RCI are not eligible for employment or practice.  

BEd/ MEd/ Diploma in Education (Special Education) - Visual Impairment/ Hearing Impairment/ Mental Retardation

Diploma in Education - Special Education (Deaf/blind)

BSc (Special Education and Rehabilitation)

PG Diploma in Early Intervention

Master/ bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics

Diploma in Prosthetic and Orthotics

BEd (Special Education) - Locomotor and Neurological Disorder

PG Diploma in Developmental Therapy (Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Disabilities)

Where to study

• National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad
• Shishu Sarothi, Centre for Rehabilitation and Training for Multiple Disability, Guwahati
• Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (AADI), Formerly The Spastics Society of Northern India, New Delhi
• Training College for Teachers of the Deaf and Blind, Ahmedabad
• All India Institute for Speech and Hearing, Mysore
• All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai
• National Association for the Blind, Mumbai

What is special education?

Special Education is that component of education which employs special instructional methodology (Remedial Instruction), instructional materials, learning-teaching aids and equipment to meet educational needs of children with specific learning disabilities. Remedial instruction or Remediation aims at improving a skill or ability in a student. Techniques for remedial instruction may include providing more practice or more explanation, repeating information, and devoting more time to working on the skill. For example, a student having a low reading level could be given remediation via one-on-one reading instruction, phonic instruction, or practice in reading aloud.

Qualification

Anyone with a Bachelors degree education who has an aptitude for teaching can join a course on Special Education. There are institutes which offer Bachelors and Masters Program in Special Education. There are many organizations which offer short term programs (2 weeks to 1 month) in Special Education. It is always advisable to join courses of atleast 1 year duration. There are very few institutions offering a 1 year program.

When does a child need special education?

Special education teachers work with children and youths who have a variety of disabilities. A small number of special education teachers work with students with mental retardation or autism, primarily teaching them life skills and basic literacy. However, the majority of special education teachers work with children with mild to moderate disabilities, using the general education curriculum, or modifying it, to meet the child's individual needs. Most special education teachers instruct students at the elementary, middle, and secondary school level, although some teachers work with infants and toddlers. Special educators provide programs for specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities, hearing impairments, visual impairments, autism, combined deafness and blindness, traumatic brain injury, and other health impairments. Students are classified under one of the categories, and special education teachers are prepared to work with specific groups. Early identification of a child with special needs is an important part of a special education teacher's job. Early intervention is essential in educating children with disabilities.

[www.childsupport.in]

A soul full of music...

iNSPIRED: A new section in NOW! to peek into options beyond the routine

Ipsita Roy
[Pic courtesy Mahima Bhatia]

TSHERING EDEN
Music feeds the soul, but many, especially in this part of the Himalaya, would retort with a ‘but it does not feed the stomach!’ A career in music is a difficult choice to make but there are people like 25-year-old IPSITA ROY of Delhi who have found a way to keep the soul alive.
By day, Ipsita works at Sufi Kathak Foundation, a Delhi-based NGO, and come night she transforms into a soul diva belting out originals and covers with her band Big Bang Blues. The Sufi Kathak Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Manjari Chaturvedi to create awareness on Sufi Kathak and other related performing arts traditions. The Foundation works towards providing scholarships to students pursuing classical music and dance, and also pension and medical insurance to artists in need.
The main objective of the Foundation is to create centres for spiritual dance and music, folk & classical dance and organise training classes, workshops and musical concerts to promote Sufi Kathak and classical music in India as well as across the world. The society’s mission is also to provide financial and technical assistance to retired artists as well as to needy students who are committed towards Sufi music and dance.
Although it is clear that Ipsita’s heart lies in her band, her work at the NGO has also widened her knowledge on other forms of music. For someone whose passion is music, it seems like a dream come true to be working for and making music at the same time. However, Ipsita is also honest about what puts her off regarding her work at the NGO. With a Master’s degree in Sociology from Jamia MIllia Islamia, New Delhi, working for an NGO came as the natural choice but she also demystifies that ‘social work’ is not just about staging dharnas or finding your way into remote villages. Her work at the Sufi Kathak Foundation entails a lot of not-so-exciting administrative work which she would be more than happy to trade for a jam session with her bandmates.
While the Foundation pays most of her bills, her band Big Bang Blues also manages to roll in some pocket money. But it’s not money that BBB is about, its just pure love for music. BBB happened, in the band’s own words -“When Blues and Good Ole' Rock 'n' Roll had a baby!” Formed in 2009, Big Bang Blues takes its spirit from the times when Blues was born. Fathered by voices that sang of angst and misery... backed by rusty stringed guitars and harps - is how the band describes itself on its Facebook page.

Ipsita performs with her band - Big Bang Blues [pic courtesy Jay Handa]

BBB draws inspiration from the likes of Muddy Waters, BB King, Clapton, Janis Joplin, amongst others. Blues, Rock n Roll, RnB and Jazz is what they play and the band has been slowly climbing the popularity charts across Delhi. With three originals – Moonless nights, Lovestruck blues and Wild about that thing up on www.reverbnation.com BBB ranks 4th on its Delhi Blues charts. The band regularly plays in and around Delhi and has also toured other parts of the country.
The band has Shivam Khare- Keyboards, Kapil Chetri - Harp/Guitar/Slide, Sushant Thakur - Guitars/Slide, Devang Baheti - Bass/Backing Vocals
Rahul Sengupta – Drums, Ex- members Mark Mowry - Harp/Guitar/Vocal and of course Ipsita as the front-woman.
NOW! got her talking. Excerpts:
NOW: How did you get into this line of work?
IPSITA: I never thought I would get into this kind of work. I didn’t expect to make a life out of music. Back in the college years, I knew it was something that I really wanted to do, but never expected too much out of it. We have heard everyone talking and saying things like arts is an unpredictable field. So, I knew I had to treat my music like a vocation, something to do on a part-time basis. So I landed up finishing my Bachelors and Masters in Sociology, getting a job in an NGO n all. But then music has always been my passion so today even the NGO that I am involved with (Sufi Kathak Foundation) is into preserving Sufi and Qawwali Music.
However, now the more I am getting involved with my music, the more I am inspired to get into full time music. Starting this month, I leaving my full time job (actually taking the same thing as part-time so support me in terms of finances, as “music is an unpredictable field”), and concentrating more on my music. So basically, I am trying to handle and balance out two jobs (Lead vocalist of my band “Big Bang Blues” which I am also extremely passionate about) and Research Associate for Sufi Kathak Foundation.

What is the work all about? A typical day on the job...
I am currently employed here as a Research Associate. But being a small organization, I am the only fulltime employee here apart from my boss and therefore my role becomes much more than what the term “Research Associate” denotes. So, I am involved with admin work (writing letters and taking calls, cataloguing books, music etc.), fund raising work (handling donations, making grant proposals for national and international organizations, drafting sponsorship letters), event management work (events and concerts organized by the Foundation in Delhi and other cities), and of course research work (research on Indian Classical Music, Sufi Music, field based interviews and recordings of music and musicians and other related stuff.)
My other job as the singer of the band starts in the evenings: Performances, shows, practices and Jam sessions.

How many hours do you put in each day?
The usual 8 hours, 10 am – 6 pm. But now days I spend more time in the Delhi libraries going through books for some research work as a part of Sufi Kathak Foundation. With the band, we usually practice or perform from 8pm - 1 am types. Performances are for about 2 hours, but then there is sound check n all.

Most importantly, for some and maybe not for others, how much does it pay?
20,000 a month for Sufi Kathak Foundation and with the band there in nothing fixed. So per member we may get about anything between 1000- 3000 per show with an average of 3-4 shows a month.

Job satisfaction [if such a thing exists!]?
Haha, I think job satisfaction is a utopian concept! But nevertheless, initially with the NGO it was a little unsatisfactory with the admin work n all. But now with a more research oriented role, it’s comparatively more satisfactory. One gets to learn so much and knowledge is always good.
With the band, it has always been satisfactory, because its something that I love doing. I am not just a singer who’s playing to make money or a living. My day job supports that. I am chasing my passion and my love for music. Even if it doesn’t make me enough money today, I am happy because I am getting to do what I love.

Your honest advice to those who want to work in this line.
It’s all worth a shot and be patient.

Best and worst part about the job?
Sufi Kathak Foundation- (absolutely hate the admin work!)
Band- Nothing! I love every part of it.

You would leave this job for?
Music:D (but then I am doing music also and I wouldn’t leave that for anything)

Describe your job in two words [or one if you want to].
Sufi Kathak Foundation- paying bills
Band- Passion