Ohh LBSNAA! Exactly 39 years ago....

A semi-nostalgic video-narrated Journey back to the hills of Mussoorie: 39 Years since the start of my career as an IAS officer at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.

A Journey Back to the Hills of Mussoorie: Starting exactly 39 years ago.

Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie: Preserved Heritage Block of the erstwhile Charleville Hotel.

Tinge of Nostalgia

August evokes a palette of emotions, not just for the ripening of monsoons or the whisper of autumn on the horizon but because it marks the month I embarked on a transformative journey. 21st August 1984, a day forever etched in golden letters in the chronicles of my life. That day, I entered the hallowed portals of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, as an IAS officer, having secured the second position in the All-India Civil Services Examination, 1983-84.

In-between: “Bees Saal Baad”, 21st August, 2004. Punjab and Haryana cadre IAS officers of our batch. Dinner arranged by Poonam and me at Chandigarh; the first and the last.

Fast-Forward 39 years

Today, 39 years later, as I sit on my porch sipping my morning tea, memories rush back like the mountain mist, wrapping around me, carrying the faint sounds of laughter, passionate discussions, the rustling of papers, and that unyielding spirit of camaraderie, or esprit de corps, as they called it. The beginning of my nearly 37 years of dedicated service in the Punjab Cadre, punctuated with a 3-year central deputation, began amidst the surreal landscapes of Mussoorie.

Foundation Course: LBSNAA, Mussoorie, August, 1984. Can you locate me?

The Foundation Course— the melting pot

The Foundation Course at the LBSNAA is unique in its tapestry. Alongside the brightest minds from the IAS, equally driven officers from the IPS and Class-I Central Services come together for training. Those four months, from August to December, 1984, were not just about textbooks and administrative strategies. They were about friendships, pushing boundaries, late-night brainstorming sessions, and a shared vision for a better India.

The Mussoorie Mystique

It’s said that the inner precincts of LBSNAA, Mussoorie, carry with them a touch of enigma¹. Whether you're an IAS aspirant or a seasoned officer, or just an outside observer, there's an element of the unknown that always lingers, making the Academy not just a place of learning but a repository of countless stories and memories.

Our Trekking Group: September-October, 1984

Two Monsoons Ago

Two years ago, driven by a whirlwind of nostalgia, I had shared a slice of my Mussoorie memories in a LIVE! Facebook video, narrated in the rich tones of Punjabi. To my surprise, it resonated with many and went viral. The power of shared experiences, perhaps? Today, as I commemorate the anniversary of my joining, I wish to re-share that video link with you all, hoping that my journey, sprinkled with its highs and lows, inspires, and evokes a sentiment.

With batch-topper Dr Lalit Verma (UP cadre), yours truly the runners-up: “When We Met, Again”, November, 2012 at LBSNAA for the Phase V training.

Immense Gratitude

To the LBSNAA, Mussoorie, my gratitude is boundless. You were the cradle where my administrative dreams took flight. To my batchmates and all who walked beside me during those days, my heart swells with immense gratitude. We started as colleagues and ended as family.

Look back— and ahead

Looking back, there's an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. A life dedicated to the service of the nation, ignited amidst the majestic hills of Mussoorie, and nurtured through the vast plains of Punjab. It has been a privilege, a journey I'd choose time and again.

Here's the link to the video, a heartfelt remembrance:

https://www.facebook.com/kbs.sidhu/videos/10158069259822779/?mibextid=cr9u03

((Highlight; click right, and choose “go to”; else copy the link and place it in your browser and click/ enter return: It’s a public video you need not be either logged into Facebook or even be having an account there.))

Bye for Now

To dreams, to memories, to the relentless spirit of service, and above all, to gratitude that knows no end. Cheers to 39 years since that memorable day in Mussoorie. 🍁🙏🏼

I have been deluged with a number of queries as to what my farewell-cum-birthday party was like? It was a quiet family affair – a lunch on 31st July, 2021.

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