India, May 19 -- In the world of civil services, rejection can sting in deeply personal ways. A missed dream posting doesn't just feel like a professional hiccup-it can feel like a public verdict on your worth. And ironically, landing a coveted assignment doesn't always bring celebration. It often invites envy, cold shoulders, and whispered judgments from peers. The very structure of this prestigious career can feel like a paradox: being overlooked feels like failure, while succeeding sometimes means being quietly resented.
Consider the young officer who dreams of a high-profile metropolitan post, only to be sent to a rural subdivision after months of anticipation. The disappointment is layered-not just personal, but echoed by family and f...