"Why didn't you become an IAS?"

Why didn't you become an IAS?

— an unknown Indian uncle to me

Yes, that's what an old man who visited my house and whom I didn't even know from earlier said to me. I was stunned and wondered why I had to become an IAS.

But let me explain from the start...

I was in my room with my laptop, reading something, when my dad came into the room and said that a few guests were visiting us. Please come and meet them, he said. I wasn't interested, but he insisted, saying that they specifically requested to meet and see you.

Then I couldn't refuse, so I went to the other side of the house, where they were, and touched their feet (as per the Indian tradition). One of them, the aged one, started shouting at me, saying, "Why didn't I become an IAS?" He seemed angry with me and started shouting that my father was a good man, but I hadn't even become an IAS.

Initially, I didn't want to speak, but then I had to.

I said, "Actually, I'm more interested in tech, and that's what I'm doing now."

"Why don't you agree that you don't have the capabilities to become an IAS?" he replied aggressively.

"If that makes you feel better, why not? I would agree that I don't have the capabilities", I replied smirking.

We seriously argued for 3-4 minutes, and I was trying to explain that while IAS is a good job, it's not everything. I am doing what I am doing because I'm interested in these things and because I like doing them.

But he kept implying that becoming an IAS is the biggest thing that you can achieve in life.

Soon after, one of the guests interrupted the conversation and asked us to calm down, but the old person kept on blabbering. I returned to my room and continued with my reading, and they left.

But this incident has become unforgettable for me.

Why are they like this?