Success Through Original Answers: A Loksewa Experience
I was born in Ward No. 3 of Bandipur Rural Municipality, Tanahun. My schooling began at Notre Dame Higher Secondary School in LKG and concluded at Pavitra Secondary School in Dumre. Throughout my school years from LKG to Class 10, I never placed third, which ensured I never felt inferior or weak. I believe this self-confidence has been the source of my strength throughout my life.
In school, I frequently won prizes in quiz competitions, essay writing, and other creative and innovative contests. Driven by a passion for writing and creative activities, I pursued formal studies in mass communication and journalism after SLC, despite my family’s disapproval. Even before my mustache grew, I continued to nurture my hunger for writing while practicing journalism alongside my studies. However, since 2070 BS (2013 CE), I left journalism and joined the civil service.
Attraction to Loksewa
Before entering journalism, I idolized certain personalities, but my experiences in the profession led to disillusionment. I began searching for an alternative career that offered stability, a clear career path, and a respectable life within the country. I often envisioned connecting my ideas with government policies and plans, but the lack of alignment caused frustration. I realized that to implement my vision, I needed to be in a position of influence, and the only fair and credible path to that was through the Public Service Commission (Loksewa).
Memorizing Definitions is a Waste of Time
Before preparing for the Loksewa exam, I observed many who repeatedly failed despite relentless study. Their struggles sometimes left me frustrated. I saw people studying day and night, disconnecting from social life, and attending countless tuition classes, which made me wonder if I was falling behind. Initially, I joined the crowd and attended tuition for a week, but soon grew tired of it. I began my own method—collecting handouts from friends, buying books available in the market, browsing the internet late into the night, and skimming through resources like Sopan International Forum. However, I came to a profound realization: without original preparation, all efforts would be futile, like a copied answer that only leads to failure.
I believe understanding the conceptual development of a subject is the most critical aspect before diving into it. Once the concept is clear, one can write answers independently. Memorizing lengthy definitions is a waste of time. Studying by connecting concepts to Nepal’s context can be highly effective. It’s also essential to remember relevant national and international policies, statistics, and concise, practical examples. Starting and concluding answers with relevant quotes can make them more engaging. The goal is to craft responses that capture the examiner’s attention.
A Job in a Transitional Period
Over the past five years of my professional life, I have gained experience at the local, provincial, and federal levels. I had the opportunity to transition from working under a unitary system to contributing to the establishment of a federal structure. Being part of this historic responsibility makes me feel like I belong to a fortunate generation. The challenges and successes of establishing local governance are now cherished memories. In remote villages, the responsibilities that fell upon just two employees—an accountant and an executive officer—were fulfilled to the best of our integrity and capabilities.
My experience extends beyond local governance to direct involvement in establishing provincial governments. This taught me that age, experience, or position alone does not determine success. While provincial governments were set up under the leadership of secretaries and joint secretaries, local governments, often led by newly recruited section officers, proved more effective. Despite the lack of budget, training, and clear directives, the youthful energy and determination of these “vanguard” civil servants paved the way for local governance, making them worthy of respect.
