Thursday, 24 December 2020

UPSC FAQ with HK

Disclaimer
This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) session has NOT been published for general guidance, information and assistance of users.  The information contained herein is comic in nature and is by all means off the wall. There is an attempt to jostle the funny bone but no guarantee of laughter. Under no circumstances, shall risingbudss.blogspot.com be liable for any mental breakdown with lameness or expense incurred that is claimed to have resulted from this intentionally tongue-in-cheek dialogue.


This will be my second attempt. Please suggest how I should proceed?
Bingo. I don’t know. You tell me.
 
Which category of candidates is exempted from payment of Examination fee?
One who is not applying. Women, PwBD, SC, ST too.

What are the important sources to start UPSC preparation?
That one super-duper senior who made it and the first or second or third or fourth cousin who's been preparing .

What books should one refer?
Hard bound ones. They are much handy, I guess

What is the best book for Polity?
Laxmikant. It’s Rajnikant of Polity.

What are the sources for medieval history?
Mughal-e-Azam, Shatranj ke Khiladi, Jodha Akbar, Bajirao Mastani, Padmavat and the latest, Tanhaji. Quite an exhaustive list!

How to memorize the historical terms in the ancient and medieval section?
It’s not a question of history, rather biology. Short – term memory loss is a common thing with this section.

Can one clear prelims with 60 days of preparation?
Yes certainly, if you have 2 brains and 72 hours in a day.

How to read economic survey and budget?
Just like you read A B C D.

What are the ways to enhance our skills related to solving MCQs in UPSC prelims?
Aabra ka dabra. The more you practice, the better you are.

How to prepare for CSAT other than solving 2015-2020 PYQs?
Solve 2010-15 PYQs too.

After eliminating two options, I always end up choosing the wrong option. When one doesn't know surely which one is right, how do we arrive at the correct answer?
Guess. Thank me later.

I score very less in mocks. What should I do?
Stop mocks. Write Pre directly. Real fun of sailing canoe is in stormy waters.

How important is the newspaper?
Very much. Covering kitchen slabs, using as shelf liners in bedroom almirah, DIY craft etc.

What is the utility of The Hindu or Indian Express?
You can pile them up on your study table and create an illusion that you are breaking your head over the preparation.

And what about reading the newspaper?
Helping you make through the exam is the least it would do. Comic strips are a must though. Not for the exam per se but to beat the stress the bombastic editorials generate.

When did you start writing answers?
I guess, in kindergarten itself, we would get worksheets to do. Would ask my mom and tell.

When shall we start preparing for Mains?
When you think that prelims is kid stuff.

How many hours can one study?
As many hours when you are not sleeping, eating and pooping.

How much time is given to the candidates for applying online?
Age limit – minimum age = Applying time. Calculate. It’s simple maths.

What is an easy optional in UPSC exam?
Easiest one is, to not give the exam. Sigh.

What is the toughest SUBJECT to crack in this exam?
Toppers! Many say that prelims can be done in 3 months preparation.

Why is UPSC exam tough?
Ask them, not me.

Is the personality test a cake walk?
Yes, if you have a godfather in the interview panel!

When does UPSC issue the notification?
Before the exam.

What are the minimum educational qualifications prescribed?
Degree…in patience and perseverance.

Should we have a backup?
I don’t have backup even in my WhatsApp.
***
Note: For further queries, don’t mail me on
harshitaUPSC@gmail.com or call me on 8750Z05739 because neither exists.

 -HK

Saturday, 19 December 2020

Vocab in The Times of Corona

Trust thou me well, if only Marquez rises from his grave, he would write Love in the Times of Corona. They say that love is in the air but the reality outside my balcony window exposes this blatant lie of Delhi and its winters. In such nasty times, Humour becomes an ally, a companion, a friend, a partner... basically all that the typical Bonta Park or Lodhi Garden's baby-shona-sweetie tribe of love birds cum dumb pigeons shitting across benches are not! I hope, Marquez won't turn in his grave after their mention.
I love Humour with all my lungs (not heart because lungs are bigger, no?) There is no time for non-Humour love affairs, as I said earlier, love isn't in the air and my lungs have trust issues as well. 
So, cutting the short love story even shorter, here is a glimpse of our affair. Some might mistake it for PDA, BUT…it's mah lyf, mah choyce!

Coronavirus
इसकी हिम्मत का मुकाबला ही नहीं कहीं 
बहुतों की शहीदी का क़र्ज़ है इसपर 

Virus Mutation

रहता नहीं कहीं टिक कर 
आदत इसकी भी आदमी-सी है 

Co-morbidity
किसने दस्तक दी ये दिल पर कौन है 
आप तोह अंदर है, फिर बाहर कौन है 

Physical Distancing
हमारे दरमियान ये दूरियां ना  होती 
और कुछ वक़्त की मजबूरियाँ ना होती 

Quarantine
महफ़िल से दूर मैं अकेला हो गया 
सूना सूना मेरे लिए हर मेला हो गया 

Hydroxychloroquine
कोशिशें की समझने को दर्द की 
फिर लिख दी दवा इस मर्ज़ की 

Asymptomatic
कल तक अजनबी थे दोनों 
कब जुड़ गए पता ही नहीं चला

Unlock 5.0
कैद हूँ कबसे बेचैनियों के तालों में 
खोल दो ज़रा सुकून की खिड़कियां 

Vaccine
गुलों में रंग भरे बाद-ए-नौ-बहार चले 
चले भी आओ कि गुलशन का कारोबार चले

Pfizer / Moderna / Oxford / Covaxin
यही है ज़िंदगी कुछ ख़्वाब चंद उम्मीदें 
इन्हीं खिलौनों से तुम भी बहल सको तो चलो

***  
Note: Please don't sue me for plagiarism. I didn't write these shayari, my lover did. Do I sound selfish? Well, just pray that he doesn't develop trust issues now.

Meanwhile...
Courtesy:
 Feel the Words, Rekhta etc....basically, Google माता.