zuhair saghir

INTERVIEW
Before the results of Mains came, I was keeping track of the current developments and continued to do so even after the results. I used to read one newspaper and watched TV and browsed the Internet for getting latest updates. Along with it, I also used to discuss over certain key issues with my friends. On receiving the interview call, I was elated but I was quite optimistic about the call anyway. My Mains had gone well and was expecting an interview call. My interview was scheduled on 4th April at 9 am. I did expect to get a call for the interview, since my Mains had gone quite satisfactorily.
For the interview, I made sure that I was in touch with the current developments with the help of newspapers or television. I also discussed a few key issues with my friends. The preparation for the interview however, cannot be done in a few weeks. It is actually the test of complete personality which one has nurtured over the past so many years. On the interview day, I was dressed in dark blue trousers, a navy blue shirt and matching tie. I bided my time by having an informal with fellow candidates. I made sure that I remained cool, calm and composed. As I entered the room when my turn came, I was brimming with confidence. There were 5 members in the board and it was chaired by Mr. B N Nawalawala. The first question was asked by the Chairman himself about my background, Electrical engg and that how could I use the knowledge of electrical engineering in administration.


On 4th April, I reached the UPSC at 9 am. I bided my time by having an informal with fellow candidates. I made sure that I remained cool, calm and composed. As I entered the room when my turn came, I was brimming with confidence. There were 5 members in the board and it was chaired by Mr. B N Nawalawala. The first question was asked by the Chairman himself about my background, Electrical engg and that how could I use the knowledge of electrical engineering in administration.

The interview lasted about 45 minutes. I was asked questions pertaining to a number of fields including my bio-data, my engineering background, my work experience as well as Indo-Bangladesh relations, purpose of establishment of the AMU at Aligarh, water management in India, cloning etc… there were also questions related to my priorities as a District Collector.

The most challenging question was related to ‘big dams’, where I had to justify how water resource management was region-specific and localized.
The last question pertained to my priorities as a District Collector. The questions were generally spread over various fields and were related to Indo-bangladesh relations, water management in India, cloning, purpose of establishment of AMU in Aligarh amd my hobby (Ghazals). The members did not ask any question abruptly, I was given full opportunity to answer each question, although there were times when a discussion ensued over certain issue. Overall, the Board was very cordial and made me feel at complete ease. The question pertaining to ‘big dams’ was quite challenging. I had to justify how water resource management was region-specific and localized. My responses to certain questions convinced me that the interview had gone well.

Overall, the interview was on an informal note and at no point during the interview, did I face any kind of stress. Going by the expression of the board members, I was quite satisfied with the interview.