Simulia: If one has will power, he/she can reach his/her goal. This is what Smrutirekha Das, additional tehsildar of Simulia in Balasore, believes.
A Science student as she was, her family wanted to see her either an engineer or a doctor. But she has set her goal differently.
She was posted as Simulia tehsildar August 10, 2017. Currently she has been handling two additional jobs of tehsildar and sub-registrar.
In a tete a tete, she spoke about her life and public service.
Q: How was your childhood?
I belong to Korigan under Bhandaripohari block. My parents were Ramchandra Das and Gitarani Das. I have two elder bothers. As my father was serving in SCERT under the School and mass education department, my childhood was spent in Bhubaneswar.
Q: How was your schooling?
I did my schooling in Barmunda-based Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir and then completed my HSC from Govt Girls’ High school, Unit-VIII. I completed ISC from Rajdhani Junior College and BSC from BJB Autonomous College. I did PG in PMIR in Utkal University and then Public Administration in distance mode.
Q: Why did you prefer administrative line? How did you prepare yourself?
I had an ambition to be in the administrative officer. After the college, I started preparing myself for that. But I wished to study Arts, but the family wanted me to take up Science and seen me as an engineer or a doctor.
But I want ahead toward my goal. There was no opposition.
Q: How was your experience as an administrative officer?
Only administrative officers can sort out problems of the common people directly. It is a kind of service. Coming in contact with people and getting to know of their problems give me joy. I give priority on redressing the problems of the people. Whenever I need to know something, I seek help of my colleagues and employees.
Q: What is your message to others on how to achieve goal?
I did not get any practical idea about public relations during the OPSC training or from the family. How to build up public relations should be part of the training. All should strive to chose their own way and make progress on that so as to reach your goal.
PNN