“I do not fear an army of lion, if it is lead by a sheep;
But I fear an army of sheep, If it is lead by a lion“.
Hello, my name is Ajay Sureka and I am from Hyderabad. Love for adventure, travelling, sports and feeling of representing the nation made me in love with defence field.
In my previous two attempts i.e SSC Tech (45), Bhopal and TGC 122 (Bangalore) I was conference out but had belief in myself that I could do it. I analysed where I went wrong each time I was conference out and made sure that I didn’t repeat the same mistake.
Now, starts the journey.
I received the call for PSB (ie OIR and PPDT) on January 1st. I was supposed to report at CG Head Quarters at Mumbai on 13 January 2016. Unlike the SSB in Coast Guard both the first two round are elimination rounds.
- 1. OIR: The level is bit tough compared to SSB as there are severe time constraints and u can’t come back and refer the question since they are shown only once on projector and last only for 3-4 sec so it was pretty tough but the last 10 questions were like eg-AASSSSDFCV number of S this were bit easy but again u have to be very fast as it last for just 3 sec and then the next question starts. Out of 150 odd only 45 could make it to the next round and then the next day PPDT was scheduled.
- PPDT:- We were shown a picture of few men seated around a table with a glass bottle and discussing something. The first 30 secs I made sure that I just observe the picture so that i could figure out the minute details (plz do utilize the time to observe the picture carefully in those 30 sec). I wrote a story related to hero who along with his friends were discussing to launch a start-up.
Now, the GD part starts before the GD part starts there is ample amount of break rather, then wasting it in gossiping I kept on playing that story in my mind so that during narration it comes naturally to me. In my previous two screening I did the same thing just kept on playing the story so that I can narrate confidently. Finally, we were called and the GD begin I gave a confident narration. In GD spoke only twice but made sure that I was listening to everyone (it’s 80% listening nd 20% talking) and made sure that I was helping the person who was unable to come up because GD is all about each and everyone’s view point.
Finally the results were announce and out of 45 there were only 15 who made it to the FSB.
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FSB Journey:
I received an email on 2nd feb to report at CG Headquarters on 14 feb 2016. One good thing was that u have plenty amount of time to prepare yourself for psych, interview and gto and I made everyday count. ” I would suggest people to read “My appointment with Pyschologist” as throughout my SSB journey this has been something that has helped me tremendously. It’s freely available on internet u can download a pdf file. My main strategy was to practice for psych and interview so according to that I started practicing for TAT, WAT and SRT regularly just to improve my speed and during my week off I used to go to a place which was very close to my heart surrounded by nature and that peaceful environment, I found it easy to introspect. Kept on analysing myself and what kind of person I am, my likings and dislikings, friends and family how I spend my time and everything about myself and started writing down on a diary. It was like I was discovering myself. Now, I was prepared and ready to go all guns blazing down.
(Day 1): I reported on 14 Feb (1400 hrs) at Noida, New Delhi. The first day was about document verification and allotment of chest number. There were lodging facilities that were provided by the Coast Guard at a certain cost but I decided that I would stay with my cousin brothers which was easily accessible through Metro trains.
Psych (Day 2):
TAT– Like PPDT I made sure that I utilize the allotted time to observe the picture closely and keeping myself in the picture or identifying myself in the picture I wrote a natural story that came to my mind. In the blank slide again I visualized myself and wrote my journey to SSB how after every failure I kept on improving myself and finally got recommended for SSB.
WAT: attempted 58 out of 60 and wrote the first thought that came to my mind.
SRT: attempted 45 out of 60 but made sure to give quality response. Attempted all 45 sequentially (here quality matters then quantity).
SDT: Prepared beforehand, be very honest while writing this and no human being in this planet is perfect each and every one of us had certain weakness so be aware about what are ur weak points and how u are improving it.
Interview (Day 3):
I have learnt a lot from my previous SSB interviews and also the book “My appointment with psychologist” has helped me a lot in preparing for the interview. My interview was scheduled in the evening so, I had lot of time but at the same time I made sure that I was keeping myself calm. There were people running around asking people what all the interviewer asked but that’s something which is just going to make u nervous so I was just keeping myself away from those guys and JNU being the burning issue almost all the candidates were asked about these. So finally the moment came. The room was a bit awkward as it was inside the container. Yes the container that u see on ships. But it was setup like a room.
Greeted the interviewer and took a seat. I was prepared to answer anything that was fired on me. First time I felt that I am not going to be nervous but would face boldly. And, he fired the first rapid fire question, as I was answering he made another question out of how my answer so that I forget the sequence but once I was done with the question, reverted back to the sequence. Then he used another trick under his sleeve to distract me, when he asked the second rapid fire question he kept on making continuous sound from the button that was hidden and there was like an alarm sound from the bell somewhere hidden inside but to his surprise I didn’t pay any heed to it and kept on answering in the sequence, but still worse was yet to come then while in third rapid fire question while I was answering he totally looked to be disinterested in what I was saying by making different faces. I Knew this are just to distract u , and made sure that my focus always remain on the questions. And I could assure u one thing that during this entire duration I hardly missed in making an eye contact with him. I looked straight in his eyes and answered all the questions (your body language plays an important role in the interview make sure that ur legs are firmly rested on the ground and ur spine touching the chair and most importantly don’t lose the eye contact). Finally, I expected him to ask me the JNU issue that was like the common question but again he never touched on that concept and asked me about India’s GDP. Answered and one of the most important thing there were many question which I didn’t knew straight away said that “I don’t know Sir” (something that I have learned away from my previous SSB in which when I tried to answer something he starting dragging more inside) so felt this was the best reply.and he said come prepared for the questions unanswered. And the last question “What if u don’t get selected”. “I said sir as far as SSB is concerned I know I am going to get selected bcoz I work hard, try hard and belief in myself but in case I get rejected on medical grounds then I will take that and try to get in to DRDO or Civils. Finally the interview came to an end and he stood from his chair and offered me handshake. I knew this is the golden moment for me again the way u shake hand signifies a lot about u and I gave him a firm, confident handshake.
I was happy about the interview.
Day 4 (GTO);- GTO was something I never prepared because this is all about group dynamism or team work (Espirit de Corps). Although I do not play sports but I loved watching football, cricket and this was something that taught me a lot especially I follow MS Dhoni very closely so I have learned a lot.
Kindly listen to the instruction the GTO gives like in our case he said that I might not be there while u are discussing still u should keep continuing. So, once the GD started half of the time he was busy outside but we made sure that we keep on continuing our discussion. It was a peaceful discussion and everyone contributed. Then the GPE started (carefully listen to the narration part before he hands over the hard copy). I made a blunder mistake I misinterpreted and wrote the entire plan based upon what I misinterpreted. I came to know this once the discussion started and I readily accepted my mistake but I made sure that in spite of this I will make sure that my group doesn’t fail to evolve a plan. So, whenever there was a fish market taking place I tried pacifying the group and made sure that everyone speaks. In this way everyone spoke and the discussion ended in a calm way. But the GTO Sir pointed out that u didn’t took time consideration into mind and asked to elect a group a leader. But the GPE ended disastrously as our plans were not workable. We were disappointed but one thing positive about that throughout the discussion we were very cooperative and we listened to each other.
Lecturette: I made sure that I will compensate my mediocre performance in GPE by doing well in lecturette and being an anchor in college fest I was used to speaking in front of people and made sure to maintain an eye contact with everyone. Gave a confident talk and once I was done the GTO asked why I wanted to join defence I said that travelling and sports is something that I wanted to pursue and both of these I will get to pursue in abundance only in defence
Finally, our day was done when the GTO Sir said this was the best group he came across as u all respected each other view’s point and were very cooperative and said that if thing’s would be in his hand he would have recommended everyone. But ur performance doesn’t just depend on GTO ,but assured that majority of the recommendation will be from our group. We, were very elated.
Conference (Day 5):
Just before the start of my chest number they took a tea break. So, it kind of made me more anxious and I was just trying to calm myself by taking deep breaths.
Finally, the bell rang and there I marched greeted everyone and took a seat. My interviewer who was the deputy commandant asked. So “Ajay, what was going in ur mind outside, while u were waiting”. I said sir, I was bit nervous but was trying to calm myself by taking deep breaths. “But why nervous”? I said it’s psychological that u tend to get and then he asked me the question that I didn’t answered in my interview and came with another new technical question. I said “I don’t know Sir” he said u are from ECE branch u must have read somewhere (I don’t know if he was bluffing) but my reply was same I don’t know Sir, Ok, and then he fired an SRT and I retaliated back with a confidence answer and then the deputy commandant looking at the face of commandant who throughout the interaction was observing my body language closely signalled that it’s done.
Finally, the results came and out of 75, 13 got recommended and 3 were from our group. I was happy not that I got recommended but that I have inside me what it takes to be an officer. Believe me, after my first conference out there was not a single day I didn’t think about SSB every day I worked on myself and kept on improving.
One last word ” Work hard, try hard and believe in yourself”. There is a lion inside each and every one of us which is asleep and the only way to wake him up is to discover urself and be yourself.
My CPSS/PABT and my medical experience.
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