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Writer's pictureCivil Services Forum

"Think About It" - Ilma Afroz(IPS)

Ilma Afroz completed her graduation in Philosophy from St.Stephen's College. Today she serves as an IPS officer. /Image Courtesy: The Better India/

On the first day of the College I read “SatyamevVijayateNanratm” written in bold letters in the College Hall. Taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, it means “truth alone triumphs”. This was the beginning of what became the three of the most beautiful years of my life so far, studying Philosophy at St. Stephen’s. Attending The College was the best decision I ever made.

The College was never about hurried notes taken in the classroom and later spilling mugged up sentences over exam scripts with ballpoint pens - just to fill copious amount of pages and extract marks for ‘writing more’. The total life of The College –enriched us in classrooms, and in smaller tutorial rooms. Numerous societies and clubs aimed to instill ‘the love of wisdom’ gained by synthesizing knowledge with the experience gained by constantly absorbing, participating and challenging oneself.

Dr. K .P. Shankaran imparted instruction in ‘Indian Philosophy’, ‘Ethics’ and ‘Philosophy of Language’. He urged junior members to “think about it!”


Mahatma Gandhi gave us a Talisman. When in doubt recall the face of the Antodaya (most needy person in the darkest village) and ask yourself, whether your action is going to make any difference in the life of the Antodaya? Attending tutorials made us read extensively, discuss and debate Gandhiji and weigh what impact would a particular decision have in making a change in the life of the last person (antodaya) in the darkest village. Thus studying Philosophy made us empathetic, enabling us to understand, appreciate and learn from others. Above all, have a healing touch- wiping every tear from every eye.

The Philosophical Society (Philosoc. in college parlance) meetings held on Friday afternoons were really enriching. We learnt to crystallize an argument, write convincingly and listen patiently.


The six schools of Indian Philosophy taught us to appreciate diversity of thought and value systems. The Jaina philosophical concepts of Anekantavada(many sided nature of reality) and Syadvada(all judgments are conditional) came handy in the debating chamber of the Oxford Union.


***

As I looked outside from the large glass window of my downtown Manhattan room, I saw the glittering Empire State Building. My hands wrapped across the coffee mug, I thought about it. I chose to come back home.The Kena Upanishad sums it up brilliantly, “Knowledge is like Uma Himavati- bahushobhaniyam; the most illuminating of all.” This is what I carried with me throughout my journeys across cities and nations and brought back priceless currency of memories.

(Views expressed are purely personal)

An Article by,

Ilma Afroz (IPS)

AIR-217, UPSC CSE 2017


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