Six Months in Saiha

Six months is not a big period of time but for officers this is a substantial period as no fixed tenure is provided to a government servant. It was on 24.11.2009 I assumed charge of DC Saiha. It was a great feeling while coming to Mizoram as we had hoped that it will be a different experience from Delhi where we were posted. We really wanted to go out of Delhi. In Delhi the developmental roles were very limited and most of the time was consumed in firefighting. In comparison to Delhi, Mizoram is indeed a different experience. For an IAS officer the DC posting is first significant in terms of responsibility as it gives us a chance to own up the district and to do whatever humanly possible and impossible. That way I was quite privileged to get first posting of DC at Saiha.
In the beginning, I was quite perplexed with the environment as both the languages, viz. Mara and Mizo were new to me and nothing seems to make any meaning when anyone come to me and speaking in native tongue. Still I would say my understanding is quite limited but I have improved in last 6 months.

Then the process of setting out the priorities started. I have been told during training that never shy of travelling and meeting your people as only then I will get the real feel of the interior areas. So, I decided to have a tour of all the villages as soon as possible. I tried to keep the commitment but two matters really delayed the visit to all villages:- 1. Onset of Christmas- as it is the biggest festival and whole district was in festive season during the period 15th December to 15th January and finding any official was quite difficult, so I kept myself in Headquarter and 2. Planning process for BRGF and NREGS: These two schemes require thorough discussion at several levels which severely restricted my movement to the village.
I started the tour from Theiri village in December 2009 and  in that trip I covered Theiri, Theiva, Tuipang and Zawngling. It was a good experience to start with. I saw construction of steps, schools, playground etc. I silently also watched the living condition, the impact of the schemes, various institutions of the grass-root level, connectivity of the villages.
Then I covered the villages from New Latoh to Phura, Kaisi, Lawngban, Palak Lake, Tongkolong, Vahai, Laki, Khopai and then directly came back to Saiha. It was just before Christmas. This trip helped me in prioritizing the works under BRGF and visit to Tongkolong was an eyeopener towards the problem of drinking water. I saw one water point by going down almost 2-3 kms from village which took away a good amount of time and it delayed my tour to other villages. The visit to Palak lake was a soothing experience and particularly its calm environment mesmerized me.
After this trip I had a brief visit to Neotlang village for taking out a project of convergence between different schemes.
These trips I concluded within December, 2009 itself and it was promptly reflected in the planning of BRGF. Like to address the connectivity of Lungdar as proper scheme was put in 2010-11 and we are hoping that preliminary work of road cutting will be completed within 2-3 months from Lawngban to Lungdar and I want to go to that village by gypsy this year. I feel I will be able to keep this commitment. Khopai visit led me to plan for turmeric drying unit. In fact through consultation with KVK Coordinator Pu Mahminga a proper scheme we have designed to address the demands of the farmer. Hope it will lead to a substantial increase in their income levels.
After that all trips have been recorded in my blog so I dont feel like repeating those.
These 6 months I wont call successful from my standards but from Mizoram standards people can decide, while my team really worked hard to change the working style, delivery system, the result takes time to come.
I gained a lot from experiences of Saiha;-

1. Patience is the key to any achievement. Normally I tend to be impatient but in government set up, things take their own time.
2. Everyone has their own priorities. Judging them from one's standard do no good unless the other side is willing to accept.
3. Sometimes it is better to close oneself rather than opening up.

Other learnings are not very significant. These learnings may indicate a hint of pessimism but this is what we call life. But despite of this I call myself a positive person. As I firmly believe that all great things start by taking a small step which in the initial phase may not have desired level of impact and will start bearing result with time at which we might not be available to witness the results.
One place where I really with myself is Tuipang Circuit House... It matches my style- a secluded place from where all stars are visible in the night and on both nights I stayed there, I enjoyed the most because of the company and the bonfire with good singing sessions from all members of my team. Slowly this Circuit House is becoming more livable thanks to the efforts of the current BDO Pu Tluanga.

Other place which I like most is on a bamboo raft in Pala lake. It is so peaceful and calm that one automatically get charmed by its silence and the surrounding beauty of hills.

During rainy season I never forget to drive upto Tlangpui range beyond KVK complex. It also give a sense of awe when I drive in my Gypsy crossing the dense clouds and watching the nature which keeps on unfolding its beauty every moment.
These six months I traveled frequently. Enjoyed interacting with people although through translator. Spread lots of messages. Learnt a lot. Enjoyed Mara, Mizo, Chakma and Lai dances and somewhere I tried my steps too. Watched myself unfolding into a different persona.

I will be doing injustice if I do not mention the role my kid Kaveri has played. She always kept herself playful and with her loving disarming charm kept us free from all the worldly tension and stresses and had been a great source for entertainment to us. When we came to Mizoram she was about to be one year now she has crossed 19 months of her life... Started experimenting with us with her kiddy tactics.... her words... her touches... ah thats what I call life.
But one thing that is most enticing  is my continuing romance with Saiha. It is growing intensely but also passed through all kinds of phases- form hopelessness to hopefullness, from dullness to hyperactiveness. Hope it last long........ and results into benefit of the district and to affable tribe "Maras".