Veronica Alick - From Belle to central government service at Delhi

By Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle

Moodubelle, 09 February 2010: Sometimes in life, people wish to follow a particular career but end up treading a different path altogether due to circumstances. However, rather than brooding over the lost opportunities, many people try to make the best of the available opportunities and prove their worth and merit, climb the ladder of success and have the satisfaction of such achievement. Presenting one such person from Moodubelle, Mrs. Veronica (Castelino) Alick, an intelligent student, who wanted to be a Chartered Accountant and work in a private company, but the circumstances led her to take up a career in the administrative service under the Central Government of India at Delhi and has been in service for the last 32  years, presently with the post as a Superintendent.
 
Born as the second child among five children, two daughters and three sons of late Albert and Eliza Castelino on 13th January 1954, Veronica had her higher primary, secondary and PUC education in the church educational institutions in Moodubelle. After completing PUC in 1970 in St. Lawrence PU College, Veronica proceeded to St. Agnes College, Mangalore where she acquired the B.Com. degree in 1974.

Veronica had been an intelligent and multi-talented student. While in the fifth standard she was declared as an outstanding student and was awarded government scholarship and won many prizes in essay competitions. Being good in Kannada language, she used to get prizes regularly during annual day for her proficiency in that language. She had a flair for drawing and voice for singing. She was one of the members of the church choir and an active member of the Catholic Youth Movement (CYM) till the Pre University studies.

While studying for B.Com. degree in St. Agnes College, Mangalore, Veronica maintained her lead in the Kannada language and even scored highest marks among the students of her class. Besides, she discovered that she was quite proficient in the subject of Accountancy and had a desire to pursue her studies further and become a Chartered Accountant. However, destiny had chosen a different path for her.

Veronica’s father, Albert Castelino was working for the Ambassador of Japan at Delhi. Due to an ailment Veronica had to go to Delhi where her father made arrangements for her medical treatment. During the six months that she spent for the treatment, Veronica did not want to be idle as she was a graduate in commerce and was eager to look out for a career.

Veronica was fortunate to get an offer in a private company named Upavan International Documentation where she worked for two years from 1975 to 1977. Meanwhile, as her father was keen to get her settled in life, she married Bernard Alick whose parents originally hailed from Bangalore.

Being the capital of the nation, Delhi has been the hub of administrative offices of both central and Delhi governments. For young people who sought stable and steady careers, a career in government offices was the most sought after. But, the aspirants have to undergo the competitive examinations and selection process.  Though Veronica wanted to have a career in a private company, her father was keen that being a woman, that too in Delhi, Veronica should try for an administrative post in a government office. Hence, Veronica finally heeded the advice of her father and decided to try her luck in the administrative service and appeared for the Central Government Staff Selection Commission’s Examination in 1977 and passed the examination in first attempt.

After clearing the Staff Selection Commission’s Examination and the selection process, Veronica was appointed to the clerical post in the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) under the Ministry of Urban Development. The promotion in the government service is time bound and based on periodical examinations. Veronica steadily rose in the office hierarchy over the period of 32 years and at present occupies the post of Superintendent in the Central Public Works Department. Presently she is in the Circle Office in Presidential Estate at New Delhi. Her office is responsible for providing and maintaining all amenities to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Veronica has government accommodation in Lodi Colony where she stays with her family.

Being under the charge of the Ministry of Urban Development, the Central Public Works Department along with the Delhi Government’s Public Works Department is responsible for providing complete infrastructure to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games such as stadiums, residential colonies to the sportsmen and women, and many other amenities that are required to make the Commonwealth games a great success.

Veronica and Bernard have two children. The elder daughter-Babita who holds a post graduate degree in Political Science is married to Ronald Pinto from Belman and they have a son-Derell. Babita works for NGO-Caritas. Babita, like her mother Veronica is a good singer and has been a choir member in the Cathedral of Delhi. She also conducts choir and is a good compeer. She has been anchoring music concerts and wedding functions and seminars. Austin, the younger son of Veronica and Bernard has done BSc (IT) and is working for Computer Science Corporation in Delhi.
  
Bernard, Veronica’s husband who has retired from service does restoration work of religious art such as statues and paintings on canvas.

Veronica’s sister, Zita is married to Vallado and settled down at Delhi, one of her brothers, Francis has been working for the Royal Army in Muscat since 1978, another brother Frederick is in Canada with his family and third brother, Paul who has done doctorate in Psychology is presently teaching in the Ohio University in the United States.

When asked about her advice to the youth of Moodubelle, Veronica said that the young people rarely seek government jobs. This may be due to lack of interest or lack of information about the Staff Selection Examinations and the selection procedure. She said that those young people who would like join the government service can go through the website of Staff Selection Commission for full information regarding eligibility criteria, availability of various jobs, examination schedule, etc. There is also Employment News Weekly which is published by the government in print as well as posted on the website which can be referred for any kind of information required by the young aspirants for the government posts.

Veronica’s advice to the young people is that if they do not have too much of monetary ambition and would like to work within India, a career in the administrative service under the government of India is worthwhile. The administrative career provides security of service, fixed schedule of work, government accommodation, easy loan facilities, etc. With the recently implemented Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendation the salary of those who are in administrative and government services have become quite attractive.