To be a good doctor is no mean job. To be a dedicated IAS officer is an equally daunting task, if not more. In this regard, Dr. Divya S. Iyer takes the cake — she is the sub-collector of Thiruvananthapuram city while also practising as a doctor in her free time.
In this interview, she talks about how school and college shaped her as a person and her views on the education system.
School days
I was extremely obedient, studious, and, as teachers would say, a ‘good kid’. I don’t remember anyone complaining that I was up to some mischief. In that sense, people might think that it wasn’t an exciting childhood since children are supposed to be pranksters. But it was a colourful childhood and I used to indulge in a lot of extra-curricular activities. I was someone who enjoyed being in the company of teachers and elders. It is extremely important for students to like their teachers, as it has a great effect on studies.
Aspirations
My ambition of becoming an IAS officer began during my school days. I studied at Holy Angels convent school and many high-ranking government officials used to visit. I probably didn’t even know the full form of IAS then. But I wanted to be like them — people like Babu Paul sir, who were striking personalities in society during that time. I was also into a lot of social service programmes. I also wanted to learn how human body works. Thereafter, things started to fall in place.
Medical school
Christian Medical College, Vellore, was a great place and I cherish those days. It was my first time in hostel and I had a lot of freedom. To be frank, for the first couple of months, I didn’t know what to do with this new-found freedom. But I gradually picked up. They were the most transformational days of my life.
Becoming a doctor itself gives you a different perspective of life. We don’t understand pain and suffering until we see it in our own kith and kin. As a doctor, you witness firsthand the pain in a stranger’s life. It changes you as a person. Being a doctor helps me greatly with my work now. Today, when a petitioner or witness sits in front me, I see them as people who have their own sufferings and dreams. If not for my medical stint, I would have been mechanical at my job as a civil servant.
Education system
Most of our educational institutions are aiming at turning students into individuals who are able to fend for themselves and that’s all. Education should be to mould sensible and responsible citizens. Also, education should not be targeted at making perfect candidates who seem like they have come out of cookie-cutters or factories. We need those imperfect home-made ones that have rough edges, yet are tasty. Imperfections need to be appreciated.
The problem is, we try and do a poor imitation of the western system of education. We have such enormous diversity. So, to introduce one common standard in order to unify them all is a humongous task, and I think it is an impossible one.
