To begin with,I experienced the taste of SSB interview from 3/5/14 to 7/5/14 under 11th SSB Board Allahabad. My batch was ATGC. So thats for introduction.
I was a normal post graduate from the normal village side, who was little bookish and not much into physical activicties. I had completed my masters in Clinical psychology and was working as psychologist at various places. Thats when i saw the ad, and it was told full expense of trip in 2nd AC will be paid, and I decided,lemme give it a try.
I had literally forgotten about sending the application, and was pleasantly shocked when I got the call letter for interview, which was within a week. So thanks for that, I couldnt make use of that free 2nd AC offer as all the AC tickets were sold out by then. From Itarsi (Madhya Pradesh),I didnt get a seat even and I spend whole night sitting in a general compartment filled enough to create second wagon tragedy. Not to mention rhe pan smell from everyone. The train was supposed to reach by 3am,and I thought I would get clean 3 hours to get myself ready for the big day as reporting time was 6;00 am. But train reached around 5:15, and I came running towards the MCO to see a sea of young men all dressed up in formals. I quickly moved into one of the restrooms and next nightmare- no water!!! I managed to brush and bath in one bottle mineral water (god knows how!!!) and quickly slipped inside the formals.
By then we 5 people were total left behinds. And by time we reached dressed in MCO, the group has already left. We somehow traced back to the paltoon moving and reached the place. And guess what, we missed the breakfast
. Anyways the formalities were done, and we were assigned chest numbers. My number was 8. And after intial suggestions, instructions and certificate verification, we moved on to the buissiness end. First I believe was an intelligence test, the CSAT model, just that there were toomant pattern recognition questions. The questions were already marked with answers by people who used it before. And few wrong answers in it was really distracting. It was over in a flash.
Then another person took over, and we were shown a picture, which looked like a girl reading violin for me. We were asked to write story on the picture, on basis of few criterias and it was where I used my superior story making skills properly.
After that we were divided into groups of 10, and were send to different rooms under different instructors. Here we were to dicuss among ourselves what the picture shown was all about, and reach a common story. First we had to tell our story individually. God knows what and all they saw in it, and i felt really funny when guys even dared saying pre learned stories. Hit came to me and I started narrating my story and from expressions of others, I was sure I had nailed it. I was the only guy in the group who wasnt asked to stop before it was over. This earned we a respect in the group, which becomes vital in the second leg of the discussion. So new guys, make sure you say a sensible story and earn respect beforehand. Then came the funniest activicty of the day. The group discussion. The moment the instructor said start, everyone except me in the room starting yelling something, probably the story, which I couldnt decipher.The guys wanted to start first, and in the process, all started yelling together and lounder. This reminded me a scene of MIB, where every guy in room except Will Smith yells- “Best of the best of the best, Sir”. I thought it will end, but these guys were not even stopping to take breath. After say 20 seconds, I yelled- “Guys we are here to reach a conclusion, so guys lets stop this and start discussing”. This had an immediate efect and all mellowed down, maybe due to the respect I earned with my story. A pause came, And one guy started speaking, and just like before, everyone started yelling again. I was seriously pissed. Who told these guys that those who yell more get selected?? I just sat back. In between our GTO had scolded a guy who sat in relaxed manner, saying is this the way you sit?? Anyways around 40 seconds, I realised, its getting late for me to make a mark. I raised my voice and shouted to make my self audible- “guys we have to reach conclusion, try to understand the game. For talk we need to listen” Again everyone was silent, and I continued pointing a guy- “why dont you tell your story?’ By then the GTO called it off. And we were made to go back where our baggages were kept.
After a tea break, which was filled by speculation of who will crack and who not, we were called back. Results were declared, and I was selected. In total 36 fromthe group of 160 I guess. The other 4 guys who were with me from station were screened out. I was relieved. More than being selected, I was happy that I dont have to travel in general on back to back trains. Missed the lunch tto, as the clerk was distributing the ticket money.(beware these guys make all excuse and give you least amount possible. I hardly got 70% money ofmy expense). After that we were taken to respective dormitories, and given instructions to use it. We guys just got toknow each other and chilled out, roamed around inside the campus, and was timefor dinner. Thats when I saw the mes for the first time, and yep was in love with it and its food. After a heavy dinner,we had roll call, breifing next days programs, and we all were back in room. And flat deadon the bed.
Guys I want to include maximum details possible on life inside the SSB campus, hence letmepublish it partby part, so that it doesnt become much taxing for you guys as well as me.
No comments:
Post a Comment