Convocation Speech/7th Batch Forest Range Officers/TNFA, Coimbatore

(Before starting with the speech, I mentioned how we didn’t expect to be informed for the                     feedback session. I also mentioned how one of my friends accidently sneaked into the programme sheet and told me to prepare in advance. And yes, as expected, Sathya and I were informed to give feedback 10 minutes before the programme had started. Sathya had to prepare her speech in the auditorium. She still did awesome though. This speech had created a little bit of a ruckus. The type of vague commotion only people in the line will understand. Sorry for that.)

This one's for memory's sake

May 2022

Zara’s Convocation speech – 

 

We never got the opportunity to share our feelings, or to give suggestions, or to give feedback in this whole 18-month training course. So, the feelings, the sentiments, and the experiences of 18 months…I don’t know where to start from, and where to stop. 

  But today might be my last day to stand up here. If emotions had the better of me, kindly bear with me. I’m standing here to scold some people – 

1.     Dr. Manoharan Sir

2.     Manjunatha Sir

3.     All of the faculties from CASFOS

4.     Anbu Sir 

5.     Our Director Ma’am

 

I think I have 3 options here: - 

1.     To say things in a manner an officer should say – pleasing everyone, but revealing nothing.

2.     Be 100% honest about everything – but that will only increase our disparity that is already too much. 

3.     Perhaps I should try and stick with the 3^rd option – To share a very few portions of what we really feel, and also something in general. 

 

I know a friend from here who was admitted to a hospital due to excessive drinking few days prior to our training. 

I also know a friend from here who tried to commit suicide due to relationship problem, but was saved just in a nick of time. 

  So, now imagine…if we were to give the same advice to these two persons, would it have the same effect? The answer is NO. 

  There are 47 trainees, well, 45…2 were expelled. I hope we had become so much more disciplined because we were told that they were expelled to make the rest of us fall in line. OK. There are 45 different individuals here. My question is…

-       Why are we getting trained only in one particular pattern? Should a monkey and a fish be trained to climb a tree, or to swim the same water?

-       Why were we never asked what we cared about, what we felt, or what we expected, or what we wanted to learn?

 

There are other things my friends are expecting me to share. But this may not be the best moment. I shouldn’t spoil everybody’s day.

There is nothing much to share, but only Thank You. Thank you to all the faculties for trying their level best in shaping us into becoming better officer. We’ve learned that we can’t ask for more than what people are capable of giving.

Oh! Yes, let me scold them now.

 

1.     Dr. Manoharan Sir: He was the first faculty who welcomed us in the academy. 5 trainees from Mizoram reached first.  He came to our hostel with his colleagues. He was so cheerful, friendly and welcoming. Now I’m scolding you for giving us such a great hope. We met him again in our final class of this training course. He’s still the same – cheerful, open-minded, friendly and supportive.

 

2.     Manjunatha Sir: 3 trainees from our batch were assigned to talk in his farewell programme. The other trainees did not get the chance. I had so many things to tell him. 

-       He has the best oratorical skills I have ever seen. Every time he spoke, he made it seem like he was reading it. His speeches were always so organized. The tone and the pace – always perfect. 

-       We celebrated 2 programmes that are very important to us: - 

o   World Wildlife Day – That’s the only time we enjoyed participating in debate. He didn’t criticize anyone. He gave professional feedback. He also mentioned that the speech I gave that day would be included in the magazine. 

o   Freshers’ party for 8^th batch – I think I’m not wrong when I say – He brightened the programme. He sang Hindi song. He also allowed one ACF to dance (not from this academy)

I’m scolding Manjunatha Sir for not spending more time with us. Had the discussion between the authorities and the trainees been more direct between him and us, things would have gone more smoothly.

3.     All of the faculties from CASFOS: We look at them and say, “This is why they’re the IFS officers.” The quality of their teachings, the interactions, the way they’re holding themselves up. Why did you come so late in our training, and why didn’t you stay longer? We still have so much to learn from you. 

 

4.     Anbu Sir: His class is the only class where everybody wanted to share; where everybody wanted to speak. If we were to give the ‘best faculty award’, you would probably get it. So, didn’t you have any power to fight for your stay as DD in TNFA?

 

5.     Director Ma’am: “Yes, finally! A female Director. She’s going to bring so many changes…” That’s what we said when she first joined here. The first interaction she had with us was phenomenal. She talked a little bit about all the states. I know we’ve disappointed you with our farewell programme. But, Ma’am, there are so many other things happening which you’re not aware of. I’d like to request you to spend more time with 8^th Batch and the upcoming trainees. We’re not only simple trainees. We seek for your help, suggestions and guidance, as well.

 

Okay. I’ve said too much already. You might think that I have only negative feelings about the academy. Not true at all. I still love TNFA from the bottom of my heart. The bad experiences we have here will not be spoken of outside this hall. 

Let me conclude by saying, this academy has been run only by a few bunches of people. The majority of the trainees are also from Tamil Nadu. Because of this low strength of faculties, and also 50% of the total trainees being occupied by Tamil Nadu friends, things have gone awkwardly biased in many cases. Maybe being quarantined in the campus for 12 months have narrowed our mindset.

You may think we’re just another trainee. We don’t blame you. But this is our only Alma Mater. We care for it. We care about it. Thank you.