An amazing experience with Mr Ravi IPS!

 Mr Ravi IPS is relieving from his service today. It must be a bit heartbreaking for him and many others like me also do feel the same as he feels. Though he is not directly familiar to me, I always have a huge respect for him. Because I have heard people speaking so high about him. And as a civil service aspirant, that too the one aspiring to become a Police officer, I always admired him.

It was during 2017, my last civil services attempt, I cleared UPSC prelims, mains and got selected for the personality test. The government coaching centre for All India Civil Services Exam by the Tamil Nadu government usually conducts mock interviews for the aspirants, who gets selected for the personality test. Though it was my third personality test in UPSC, I never attended any mock interviews before. Since that was my last attempt, my mentor Ms Kumareswari of P.L.Raj IAS academy insisted me on attending a mock interview before moving to Delhi for the UPSC personality test.

Until I stepped in the interview hall, I didn't know that the panel was headed by Mr Ravi IPS. He was at the left end of the four-membered panel. As I entered, the panel was to my left. As per the reflexive action, I started to look around from the left but got struck at the left corner after seeing Ravi Sir. My joy knew no bound at that time. I had goosebumps allover. Then, I realised the situation and came back to normal. I greeted everyone and took the seat.

Even at that moment, I didn't know it is going to be one of the finest days and memories of my life which I can cherish till the end. It was a moderate interview and I was very comfortable with the questions and answered them promptly as much as possible. I was all curious only to listen to the comments of Ravi Sir. But the others started giving their comments before him. They greeted me with a biggest appreciation that I was the only candidate, who gave clear, well-shaped and bold answers out of all the candidates they interviewed till then. My mail id contains the term IPS and I still could remember one person telling Ravi Sir 'Sir, look at her mail id. She is already an IPS officer. But jokes apart, she really performed well and aren't we hopeful that she will get through?'

My heart started beating fast as I turned towards Ravi Sir to know his reply. He looked at me very keenly and threw a smile. I was able to breathe a little. He said 'Of course, she will definitely get through. I am impressed with her performance.' I was at clouds nine! He continued to the office staff, who was waiting for me to leave so that he could offer coffee and snacks to the panel 'Listen, she is a future Police Officer. Offer her coffee and snacks.' And gave a broad smile, looking at me. My heart skipped a beat, literally! 

Though I couldn't keep up his faith, that appreciation and offer will be one of my biggest life treasures. As I came out, a staff, who was familiar to me, came running to me and inquired about the mock. After listening to it, he was overwhelmed and blessed me. Then, he pointed out a vehicle, saying that it belongs to Ravi Sir. I was so excited and requested him to click my picture along with it. He did me the favour. A lifetime picture added to my photo files! What a day! What a moment! Remembering Ravi Sir on his retirement day and wishing him best wishes!