First Week of Posting to DOT Shimla and my Difficult Time Starts

Sunday, 13th July 2025 – I spoke to the taxi driver with whom I had travelled to Shimla on 1st July. I asked him to provide the GST bill for the last journey. He had been making excuses for the past few days regarding the bill. I gave him one last chance to bring the proper bill and join us on our journey to Shimla on 14th July. But he refused to provide the GST bill, and I insisted as it was required for submitting to the office. After his refusal, I had no choice but to find other options like Bla Bla Car pooling app.

I found a person who was starting his journey from my sector, and so I confirmed my journey on Bla Bla with him. But after 30 minutes, I got a call from the vehicle owner and was asked to come to another place for boarding at an increased fare. I refused as I had suspicions now about him. Finally, I got another call polling starting from adjacent Sector 37, and so I booked him for this, who was starting at 7:30 AM tomorrow (14th July).

Monday, 14th July’ 2025 -I, along with my brother-in-law, went to catch up the car near Mahajan Bhawan of Sector 37 as told by the car owner whose name was Rohit. After a few minutes car owner came and I got into the front seat as I was the only passenger in his car till now. My brother-in-law returned home with our car. We have started our journey from Shimla with a pleasant climate. On the way, Rohit called a few other passengers for boarding and specified the location, but somehow everyone refused to come for one reason or the other reason. Finally, me and the car owner driver to Shimla. I took a few videos on my mobile to make a Vlog on the way.

We have arrived at Shimla near the lift at about 10:30 AM, and by that time office vehicle arrived to pick me from the Lift (that goes to Mall Road). I paid the car owner Rs 300/- for this journey and took the office car. I went directly to the office and met everyone there. Met admin section officials, especially the DDG (Admin), who was the key person to forward the application. At around noon, I met Addl DGT DOT HPLSA Mr Charan Singh and explained about my meeting with Sh. Alok Shukla, Sr DDG (Pers) of DOTHQ. He was convinced and supported my reason and asked me to apply for study leave for forwarding to DOTHQ. I told him to submit it tomorrow, as some of the preparation was still to be completed.

I took lunch and after some time requested office to drop me at the guest house (Central Government Guest House is known as Grand Hotel, located near Mall Road, Shimla) by the vehicle that was on Mall Road, and the vehicle do not go there, so we had to go to the nearest point (DC Office). I took an assistant from the office as I was having luggage, my ankle was in pain due to a fracture, and I had to walk up a hill slope. Submitted my paper at the reception and took the room key. The room was at least 3 floors down from the reception elevation. Room 131 was very spacious with all the amenities available, a clean bed sheet, a wardrobe, 2 chairs, a table, a centre table, a kettle and a lot more. Took a rest for some time.

Still feeling hungry, so went to the canteen for snacks. Took tea and veg pakora there, and it was about 6 PM now. Again, went for dinner at 9 PM and took thali for Rs 150/-. Came back to the room around 10 PM. I was not feeling good healthwise. Something was going on my chest. Some feeling of vibration over chest and uneasiness. So I took 2 tablets of Muktavati, which I generally take in such conditions. I got some relief after a time, but not fully. Difficult to sleep and awaken, may be till 1 AM. The whole night, I felt uneasy and woke up finally at 6:30 AM.

Tuesday, 15th July’2025 – Took some water and got freshened up. I started preparing the paper on a laptop that I was required to submit today for taking study leave. A letter to the Member (Services), forwarding letter for Addl DGT HPLSA and Justification for the course, that how it will benefit the department. It took me more than an hour to complete. Finally, I got ready for the office, so I took the laptop, jacket, and umbrella and went for breakfast at the canteen. I called the office vehicle to pick me up near the DC office. The vehicle came, and I arrived at the office. I sat with Director (Admin) Mr Jai Prakash to take a printout of what was to be submitted. Made a bundle and asked him to submit, but he did not bother much for some time, so I have insisted on it. He called Kiran (office assistant) to send the paper to the Addl DGT through DAK. She said that Addl DGT is not available in the office now, and he will come after lunch. It was frustrating for me, so after some time, I tried to inquire and found that Addl DGT was available in his office. So, I asked Ms Kiran to send the DAK, and she did so.

Now, it was lunchtime, so everyone was busy with food. Finally, at 4 PM, I found out that DAK has come back. I have decided to request DDG (Admin) to put up the matter urgently so that it could be signed as Addl DGT was taking leave for tomorrow for personal reasons, as it was informed. I, along with Rajendra (Director C), went to the chamber to meet DDG (Admin), Mr Amrendra Kumar, to make the processing faster. I requested to put up the matter for approval, but he told me to submit the papers on DAK to Addl DGT, and then we may see. He was not aware by then that papers were returned on DAK, which were very well on his table. I have updated him that Addl DGT has already returned the papers and marked them for putting the case. He took DAK and opened my papers and demanded unnecessary additional papers to submit before the case to be processed. I explained to him that those papers are not the requirement for this case. But he was firm. So, I have to arrange those papers (from my previous office, i.e. Punjab LSA).

These were my intimation letter, LPC. I asked ADG (admin) Punjab LSA to send these documents. I called ADG Punjab LSA, and he told me that an intimation letter will be sent tomorrow. However, LPC may not be possible as DDO is not coming to office due to his father’s demise, but he will try to get it done by some other officer, which may take some time. I was not in a position to say much, and I told him that though these papers are required for forwarding this case to DOTHQ but I will still try to arrange as soon as possible. l was in a hurry to send papers to DOTQ, as it will take for approval at DOTHQ, as they need vigilance clearance, as well as the file also goes to Secretary Telecom for final approval.

At 5:30 PM, I decided to go guest house after finishing all the aspects of office work. When I was at the outside gate, I got a call from Mr Santosh Kumar Singh, DDG HPLSA, to accompany him while going. I told him it may not be possible for me to go on a walk as there big up slope on the way to Ashiana Sweet. He insisted and told us that we may go step by step, as he has to do some shopping, so it will very slow walk. I have followed him, but it became a nightmare for me. I had to stop and normalise my breath after every 20-25 meters due steep climb. It took 25 minutes for me to walk 500 meters. Finally, I arrived at Ashiana and later started walking slowly on the restricted road. While passing through the house of Mr Santosh, he insisted me to his house, and I followed with little hesitation. Met his wife and took black coffee there. Later, it was dinner also in his house that was very tasty. I left his house at around 9:15 PM. I had to walk due to unavailability of any vehicle on a restricted road (normal vehicles are not allowed on this road). I had suffered a lot while walking to the guest house on Mall Road, which took more than 1 hour for 3Km. I had to take a rest at several places due to a breathing problem. Again, night was not good for me. I could not sleep well due to anxiety, high pulse rate and feeling pressure over my chest.

Wednesday, 16th July’ 2025 – It was a normal day today. I came office after getting ready. I spoke to ADG (Admin), Punjab LSA, and he sent the copy of Intimation letter and the same was handed over by me to Director (Admin), Mr Jai Prakash. I was aware that Addl DGT Mr Charan was on leave and nobody was telling when he would come again, as he had to go outstation for the operation of his wife. Someone told me he will come in 10 days, and my anxiety increased as he is the only person who has to sign the papers. There was no one to look after the charge. Mr Amrendra, DDG, blatantly refused to sign while he was expected to do so, being the seniormost person after Mr Charan Singh. I spoke to Director (Admin) of Punjab LSA, Mr Amandeep, to expedite LPC, and he said affirmative. So, I have to wait for next.

Thursday, 17th July’ 2025 – It was raining when I started from the guest house. For a moment I stopped and decided not to go office, but finally decided to go. After walking some distance, it started raining heavily. So, I got wet by the rain and decided to wait for some time at the BSNL office that was nearby in Mall Road. I met AGM (Marketing), JTO Ms Anchal, SDE Ms Charanjeet. They attended to me well and offered a cup of tea, and I enjoyed the time, which lasted about 40 minutes. When rain subsided, I came out and called the office to send a vehicle at lift. By the time I arrived on the road at the lift, the vehicle was already there.

Today, again, I called Mr Amandeep, Punjab LSA, for sending LPC. He said that LPC was put up, but due to some mistake, it was sent back for resubmission. After some time, I spoke to Mr Balvinder Singh, DDG (Admin), Punjab LSA, and he said the LPC file has been sent to Addl DGT Punjab LSA. After 30 Minutes, I spoke to Addl DGT also for clearance of file. He said that he is out of office now and will approve once he arrives in office. My part was over regarding pursuance of LPC. I was sitting at the office of Mr Santosh Kr Singh, DDG and suddenly felt to pee. So, office of Addl DGT being adjacent and knowing that he was not present in office, I thought of using his urinal. When I opened the door, I found Addl DGT HPLSA, Mr Charan Singh was sitting on his chair. I apologised for entering his chamber in such a way. Greeted him and sat in the chair opposite him. He asked me about my case, and I explained to him about the requirement of LPC by our office. He said, Let it come, then put up. Finally, nothing came.

Taking lessons from previous days, I stopped going on foot to the guest house. So, I requested the vehicle, but no vehicle was available. So I had to request Mr Amrendra (DDG Admin) to accompany me while going. I spoke to him, but he said that he will take time. So I requested him that if possible, let vehicle drop me to lift and send back the vehicle, and he agreed. Thanks to him.

Arrived at Mall Road now. Being last evening for the week, I decided to enjoy the mall road. I roamed around everywhere and enjoyed well. Went to coffeeshop, ate pastry at famous Tripti Bakery, sat on the benches for long (more than an hour). I enjoyed the evening a lot, and I did not know a nightmare was waiting for me.

Took dinner in the canteen and went to bed at 10 PM. There was no sleep in my eyes. A lot of uneasiness, vibration over chest, anxiety, high pulse rate. Took 2 tablets of Muktavati, but nothing worked today. I was becoming unconscious and fell on the floor when I tried to go to the washroom. Somehow, went to the telephone and called reception and requested to call the ambulance. After some time ambulance came and I was escorted by two people to the ambulance as my room had so many stairs that were equivalent to 3 floors down the hill. After a lot of effort, I arrived at the ambulance. By this time, it was around 11:30 PM. They took me to IGMC Hospital (biggest and only Govt hospital of Shimla). Arrived at emergency, and they took an ECG that was normal. They gave an intramuscular injection, and after some time I felt some relief. They finally gave me a tablet and asked me to leave as nothing was abnormal as per them, and advised me to take a comprehensive checkup during the daytime. During that time, nobody was there to help me, and I was completely alone. I could have informed someone in HPLSA, but being midnight, I did not inform anyone.

Friday, 18th July’2025 – I came back about 2-3 AM. Could not sleep for a minute in the night after this, and was not feeling good. I was just lying on the bed. Left the bed around 7 AM. Today was the last day in the guest house. So, I had to check out also. Drank some water, brushed and freshened up. Took bath and got ready about 9 AM. Packed up all of my belongings and prepared to leave. Ate breakfast, but I did not have energy today to go to the reception. I called the help to take the bag to reception. I called the office vehicle with MTS to help me carry the bag. Around 10:30 AM, they came and I left the guest house. Completely energyless and exhausted, I told officers about my condition in the office. I told Addl DGT also about what happened in night before and requested him to sanction me for long leave. He has shown concern for me and asked me to take the leave I wished. I took rest in a room of the adjacent BSNL guest house. Finally left Shimla about 5 PM with another DDG, Mr Sandeep Arya, in his vehicle, who comes to Panchkula on weekends. Arrived at house in Chandigarh about 9 PM.

Final lesson – My right lung, which was damaged during COVID in 2021 Delta Wave that is still in the same bad condition and does not allow me to go to hills where oxygen is thin and slopes are steep. Finally, decided not to go to hills unless there is an emergent situation.