M Rafi Ahmed
Develop confidence in yourself no matter how competitive the exam is because no one can do what you do. This was what the senior journalist M Rafi Ahmed from Trinity Mirror newspaper told the first- and second-year students of MA public administration at Sri Krishna Arts and Science College, Kuniyamuthur in the city during an interactive session on the topic ‘
Thanks to principal Dr R Jagajeevan and Dean V A Rinesy Antony. HoD, social work Dr A Alagarsamy and event coordinator Assistant Professor Saurabhi Prashanthika H besides other faculty members were present at the event. Giving a brief about various competitive exams right from UPSC, TNPSC and SSC, the scribe dwelt at length about the preliminary and mains exams besides interview in UPSC while shedding light on the happenings across the globe including hot topics on political and economy scenario confronting the nations.
Stressing the importance of current affairs, Rafi urged the students to be keen on knowing the day-today affairs which he said will be useful for their preparation for the civil services exams and major chunk of them showed interest in cracking civil services. At least browse through the headlines of the newspapers, he told them as it is vital for public administration students. He called upon them to start preparing even while pursuing their PG.
In his two-and-a-half-hour session, the veteran journalist motivated the students by narrating some success stories specifically mentioning a few sub-collectors, who romped home to victory in the first attempt and are serving in various districts. Do smart work rather than hard work, he told the students to develop their observation power and inquisitiveness to know day today affairs.
The speaker shot some logical questions from UPSC question papers to the students which were answered in a smart way. The zeal to excel not only in their academics but also in competitive exams was visible at the interactive session. There were umpteen questions from the students more particularly on a sensitive topic which is impracticable in this political situation.
Earlier, Dr Alagarsamy shared his experiences with the students on the current scenario. Nothing is impossible if one has the will to turn failures into success. This scribe is reminded of what his English Professor Panchanathan had said–Love what you to, definitely you will win. Be it academics or competitive exams. The students were overwhelmed in getting some inputs and exposure about cracking competitive exams. No doubt, the interactive session turned out to be a very interesting event.
