For a few hours at the District Library in Kailashahar, the distance between the classroom and the world of public service seemed to disappear. Students sat across the table from two women IAS officers—not merely to hear about competitive examinations or government careers, but to talk about ambition, setbacks, choices, responsibilities and the journey of finding one's place in the world.

This was the spirit of the third episode of ‘Unakoti Talks’, an initiative aimed at bringing young students into meaningful conversations with people whose experiences can broaden their understanding of life and career.

The latest session featured Chandni Chandran, District Magistrate and Collector of North Tripura, and Megha Jain, District Magistrate of Unakoti, who engaged with the students in an open and informal interaction.

What made the session different was its conversational character. Instead of following the familiar format of a formal lecture, the programme allowed students to ask questions, share their thoughts and listen to first-hand experiences from two women who have navigated the demanding path of civil service.

The interaction touched upon career aspirations, the realities of public administration, perseverance, personal growth and the importance of making informed choices. At several points, the conversation moved away from official designations and into personal experiences, anecdotes and lighter moments, making the officers more relatable to the young audience.

For the students, it offered a rare opportunity to see the human side of public service and understand that professional journeys are rarely straightforward. Behind every designation are years of preparation, challenges, uncertainty, learning and perseverance.

The session also carried a special significance as it brought two women administrators together with an all-female student audience. Their interaction provided an encouraging space to discuss aspirations and the challenges young women may encounter while pursuing ambitious career paths.

The ‘Unakoti Talks’ initiative was launched by the Unakoti District Magistrate with the idea of taking learning beyond conventional classrooms. Conducted every Thursday, the programme seeks to expose students to different career possibilities and real-life experiences through direct conversations with professionals and personalities from diverse fields.

The underlying objective is simple—to give students access to the kind of exposure that textbooks alone cannot provide.

Speaking in a quick interaction after the programme, North Tripura District Magistrate Chandni Chandran said students in Tripura possess immense talent, but limited exposure can sometimes prevent them from reaching their full potential.

“Students in Tripura have so much talent, but lack of exposure is a hurdle for them to reach their true potential. So, this is an initiative to bridge that gap. An excellent initiative by DM Unakoti, Ms Megha Jain IAS. I was fortunate to be a part of it,” she commented.

Her observation captures one of the central ideas behind the initiative. For many young people, the challenge is not a lack of ambition, but a lack of opportunities to encounter people, professions and experiences beyond their immediate surroundings.

By creating a space for direct interaction, ‘Unakoti Talks’ attempts to narrow that gap.

The third episode demonstrated how career guidance can become more meaningful when it is built around stories rather than instructions. Students were able to hear about the demands of civil services while also gaining broader lessons about confidence, resilience, curiosity and continuous learning.

The informal atmosphere, including moments of humour and spontaneous exchanges, further strengthened the connection between the speakers and the students.

For the young participants, the takeaway went beyond the question of becoming an IAS officer. The discussion encouraged them to think about what they want from their future, how they can overcome challenges and why exposure to different experiences matters in shaping aspirations.

With each episode, ‘Unakoti Talks’ is emerging as a platform where young minds can listen, question, reflect and connect.

Sometimes, inspiration does not begin with a speech or a textbook. It begins when a young person gets the chance to ask a question and discover that the person sitting across the table has faced challenges too. That is the space ‘Unakoti Talks’ is seeking to create for the young minds.