I joined National Academy of Direct Taxes, following my technical resignation from Indian Audit & Accounts Service. I had not got service allocation until the last week before the courses began, and hence my service allocation and welcome letter reached me only after the Induction Course at NADT had begun. The induction course began on 18th December 2017, while I joined NADT only on 21st December.
These three days were primarily inauguration, welcoming of the officer trainees, ice breaking etc. Many in our batch were welcomed at the Railway Station or the Airport by the senior batch.
I reached NADT on 21 December 2017 by noon. This was my first time in Nagpur and I was curious about the city and also a little bit tense whether I would love working in the IRS-IT. I was also thinking about how difficult it would be to get to know a batch which is 200 strong and develop good relations with everyone.
NADT is situated at PagalKhana Chowk, which as the name indicated is also nearby to one of Nagpur’s oldest mental healthcare centre. The first view of NADT that I had was the sandstone coloured walls that encircle the compound and the huge board that says National Academy of Direct Taxes, situated at the chowk.
There are two entrances to the campus, one which is nearby the admin building, which is on the highway called the Koradi Road, while the other is on the Jerripatka Road. I entered through the latter, and drove towards Nalanda Hostel. I was in touch with our Assistant Course Director who had told me that I could directly go to my hostel room, freshen up and then report at the Academy in the afternoon. I went to the reception and I was welcomed my Snehal, our receptionist with a very warm smile. She handed me my room key and also the welcome kit.
The welcome kit was arranged by the senior batch and included a Wall Clock, a laundry basket and a “How to” Book to help us find our way during our initial days at NADT.
Once I was settled in my room and freshened up, I proceeded to the ATC Building, which is where our batch office is situated. My course director told me to proceed to his room in the third floor, where he had kept an IRS Bag with an IRS water bottle, umbrella etc. in it. My batchmates who came earlier also got the IRS lapel card, while I was given the number of the vendor who would soon provide me with the lapel card.
I was also provided with the forms that need to be filled as part of joining formalities. I officially assumed charge as Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (Under Training) and for the next 16 months, I would be posted in Nagpur.
Following these procedures, I went back to my room, caught up with my friends who had also joined NADT as part of the 71st batch, walked through the campus and outside, familiarising myself with this new milieu and finally resigned to my quarters.
The feelings I had coming from Shimla were that of anxiety, wonder on seeing the large campus, and a sense of satisfaction that I have reached a good place.