LBSNAA through a Bhutanese lens

Sanga Chojay,  Yeshi Wangchuk, Kinley Wangmo

 I am from Bhutan and many of you may not have expected me. A tiny nation just above yours but a good neighbour you have considered for years. I took my first flight to New Delhi and was a dream come true I got a chance to fly in an aeroplane. Dream, I would be sharing with competitive and most capable of millions of Indian friends. A dream for millions and a reality for few, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration is a premier institution in India, I would be going I knew just after my interview.

 Rich in culture, tradition and spices I heard India is. Having visited the bordering states of India and, learned and lived some experiences I have dreams of exploring more of India. Foundational Course has brought all services of Indian Civil services, but has brought closer people from different corners, with them their traditions, languages, dresses and giving better experience of India at one go.

The best I have learnt was the respect for each other the Officer Trainees and faculties have. Despite the variety of culture and traditions, learning and respect, understand and experiencing through friendship and camaraderie was significant aspects of learning and training I understood here. The laughter and patience while learning to try on Indian dresses from various region was a whole new experience. I may not even get another opportunity to live this Indian life, both as a lay men living life in village of Gujarat, learning their way of life, religion, their needs and expectations, and as an Officer Trainee of the this top tier Academy receiving knowledge and experiences various great people of India. Modules, activities, and classes were more enriching that had a practical applicability in field, laws and procedures explained more detailed, economics and IT skills more precise as per the need. More learnings came from experience sharing from friends, faculties and other visiting guest and lot of field trips we took. This will have greater impact in me as a citizen and as a civil servant after returning to Bhutan.

 I have befriended Officer Trainees from all corners of India. All of them have interesting bond and friendship I could cherish all my life. Though they had different experiences to share, different views and understanding to discuss and learn, different ways of living to exchange, and of all different energy. Every Officer Trainees I met are humble and kind, and understood lots of hardships and challenges as a family in society, struggling in education and more challenges on the way to clearing UPSC. They all have lived a life of fear and criticism on this journey, and now, I saw themselves living a life they can proudly live amongst millions. They have become blessing for their family and a proud citizen and civil servant of this great nation.

The opportunity to have got to the Academy has given me broad ways of understanding things and situations in life. I have lived and experienced different ways of living through various field trips and interactions with special guest to the Academy. I may differ little because of where I have lived and come from, but I have LBSNAA and Indian friends living in my blood and thoughts. I am grateful for all the experiences, the Academy and friends and faculties I met here.