For his SSB Thematic Apperception Test Bhairon Singh had to write a few lines on a picture showing a young man coming out of an employment exchange in what could be interpreted as either thoughtfulness or an agitated state of mind. Most wrote about the dreadful state of unemployment in the country and how the educated youth were the real victims of State apathy.
Bhairon Singh thought for a few seconds and wrote about this man who worked there and mentioned that the picture reflected a convergence of his concern for the brilliant minds looking for jobs with his utter helplessness to help them all.
The psychologists in the Board fell in love with his interpretation.
Yes, Bhairon Singh smiled to see his name in the list of successful candidates but muttered, ‘The suckers fell for my instinct to tell tales and will be shocked when I actually reject the offer to join the Indian Army as I’ve already cleared my GMAT and will be off to Princeton next week.’
Are the best really the best?
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
Arvind Passey
11 January 2014
6 comments
Amar Naik says:
Jan 11, 2014
he earned both jobs based on his merit though he made up a story. a best sometimes might not be best for a job. backbenchers do become successful in life 🙂
Arvind Passey says:
Jan 12, 2014
Well… you’re also correct. 🙂
Blasphemous Aesthete says:
Jan 11, 2014
There is a place for everyone and everything in this world.
Rather haughty of him to think of the SSB board members in that light; that ‘they’d be shocked’, they’ve probably come across many of his kind. Also likely that he’d not be a good soldier, since he is so adamant on thinking of his interviewers as suckers.
An interesting perspective. Sheds some light on what SSB crash courses could do, dressing up the deception?
Arvind Passey says:
Jan 12, 2014
SSB here is the Services Selection Board for the Army, Navy, and the Air Force. Yes, such coaching institutes have been there for ages now… and they do teach one how to tackle the tough 5-day interview. 🙂
Surbhi Bafna says:
Jan 13, 2014
Very thoughtful pick-up of SSB theme. I wish his name doesn’t appear in the merit list. The one who doesn’t respect his base can never earn respect.
Kudos!!!
Silly Smiles… Take you Miles 🙂
Arvind Passey says:
Jan 14, 2014
Well Surbhi, he was probably just gloating in his own success… and anyway, the story is also about the disrespectful arrogance of youth. 🙂