PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Civil servants should act with compassion, fairness and a strong sense of duty to contribute meaningfully to society, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said this while addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 127th Induction Training Programme at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie on Thursday. He said that civil servants must adopt innovation and transparency as tools of governance to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people. Citing personal experiences, he said that citizens, especially the marginalised, look towards civil servants with hope and it is the officers’ responsibility to respond with integrity and purpose.
Birla called the LBSNAA a symbol of democratic values, simplicity and integrity and said that the Academy plays a significant role in shaping the nation’s administrators. Referring to the officer trainees as karmayogis, he said that their role extends beyond executing policies and includes building a just and inclusive society. He urged the officers to work towards the upliftment of the most disadvantaged, especially during times of crisis. He said that their work must reflect commitment to justice and the needs of the last person in society. Birla stated that sincere and impartial officers often earn long lasting trust from the public and in many cases, people support such officers even after transfers or political pressure.
The Speaker said that public administrators must not only implement policies but also bring real change in people’s lives. He encouraged officers to consider every issue brought before them as a personal responsibility and ensure that every citizen feels heard. He stated that proper administrative action reduces the need for people to approach elected representatives. Birla said that India has built a democratic and administrative system rooted in collective participation and cooperation, despite its diversity. He stressed that this system stands out globally due to its inclusive foundation. He called on the officers to embrace continuous learning and remain adaptable to societal and technological changes. He said that peer learning during training helps officers share and adopt better practices. True purpose in public service comes from resolving problems and bringing justice to common citizens, he added.
