How MCSCCE fiasco of 2016 is ruining lives

Imphal, Dec 1
The Manipur Civil Service Combined Competitive (MCSCC) examination is considered to be one of the most coveted state competitive exams. Each year, thousands of aspirants apply with a dream to get through the civil service exams, but only a handful succeed.
For 32-year-old Mercy (name changed), the eldest among her eight siblings, cracking the State civil service exam in her second attempt was not only fulfilling her childhood dream, but it was her route to a better life. Unfortunately, her dreams came crashing down with the abrupt termination followed by the quashing of the main exam of the 2016 MPSC. The episode even cost her marriage.
“While I was pregnant, so many things happened emotionally. Because of the Court case, my husband’s family somehow knew that I was going to lose the job, and they made many attempts to make me leave the house. My husband was residing outside the State when I lost my job, and he refused to communicate with me. None of his family visited me when I gave birth, not even financial assistance,” said Mercy as she tried to control her emotions.
She was only eight months old pregnant when she lost her job. Left with no other option, this young single mother has to juggle between paying off her loans, taking care of her baby and the Court case. As if the problems were not enough to tackle, she also has had to deal with trolling on social media. With all this happening at the same time, every day is a battle for her.
Survival is also a challenge for differently-abled Suraj (name changed) as he has the responsibility of being the head of the household of feeding his family of four; provide education to his three children, manage the basic needs and continue fighting the legal battle.
Eventually, this 47-year-old former Sub-Deputy Collector (SDC) took up home tuitions for neighbouring children to make ends meet and provide for his family.
“After the High Court quashed our exam, it effectively annulled my two job appointments, one in Horticulture and Soil Department, which I had to leave before joining the civil service. And when the civil service appointment was annulled, I was left with nowhere to go. And without any financial backup, I had to feed my children and wife," said Suraj.
Now with the increased cases of coronavirus, the situation is even more difficult for Suraj. He is in dire straits financially since the meagre income from the tuitions has also stopped as parents are reluctant to send their kids out of their homes.
"I used to give tuitions to students as low as Class 6 standards and teach the basics of Maths, Science and English. Sometimes I pitied myself that my life has gone down this low. Somehow, I motivated myself with a thought that giving tuition is participating in the moulding of society in producing better children in the future. At the same time, I am getting some means of livelihood for sustenance," added Suraj.
When the 26-year-old Johnson (name changed) cracked the MPSC examinations in his first attempt, his family thought that their prayers were finally answered. Born to a big family with both parents unemployed, Johnson was raised by his grandparents. His significant success story without attending any coaching institution but purely based on his self-preparation was heart-warming and inspired many youngsters in the town.
However, things moved quickly and changed for the family since 2016 and Johnson is now subjected to harassment on social media alongside the struggle for his responsibilities.
“The High Court judgment has landed heavily on the innocent candidates. This has impacted us in terms of our livelihood. For some people, cracking the exam is prestige and dignity, but people like me coming from a poor background, it is more of a livelihood. Because we are a big family and since my parents are both unemployed, I need to look after my siblings. This judgment comes with a shock to my family, including my grandparents since they raised me,” said Johnson, the youngest candidate who cleared the MPSC exams 2016.
For Sarita (name changed), getting a job in her home State does not only mean that she could stay closer to her family but it also gave her a sense of responsibility and opportunity to be financially sound. When her appointment notice was revoked by the Court, only a few days were away from her marriage. After losing the job, this newly become mother is now finding it hard to pay off her student loans.
“It drastically changed my life. I literally stopped going out and attending social gatherings because I feel that people are looking at me with such an impression that I have done something wrong. But that is not the truth. I have invested so many years of my life to clear this exam,” she said.                      Courtesy East Mojo