Shed 'mai baap' notion, PM to IAS probationers
May 15, 2007 - 6:21:29 PM
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'If these programmes are to succeed, it will depend much on your commitment, on your dedication, your efficiency and therefore I believe, you are the builders of India of our dream. And this is a unique challenge.'
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By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, May 15 - Probationers of the Indian Administrative Service - belonging to last year's batch Tuesday got some lessons on good governance from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a former teacher himself, who urged them to keep the long-term interests of the country foremost in their minds.
'The old notion of government servant as 'Mai Baap' -, I think, must replace itself by government servants becoming one of the principal agents of social change,' the prime minister told the IAS probationers.
He also asked them to work in harmony and cooperation with the representatives of people, particularly at the village and district level institutions that are now being strengthened with new degrees of effectiveness all over the country.
The prime minister, who covered a wide range of issues during the course of his address, asked the future civil servants to guard against injustice and tend to the needs of society, especially the poor, with justice and compassion.
'At a time when fissiparous tendencies are gaining ground and regional and caste sentiments are gaining ground, it is necessary to remind us of our obligation to do nothing to hurt the unity and integrity of our country,' he said.
Manmohan Singh said India's constitution recognised that even though the nation was designed to be a functioning democracy, competitive politics often created a scenario where political masters were unable look at its long-term interests.
'If we cannot rely upon political class to perform this function as conscience keepers of our country's value system, then where do we look for?' he queried, and asked civil servants to perform that role with dedication.
The prime minister also acquainted the probationers with some flagship schemes of his government, like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, that he said could soften the harsh edges of poverty if implemented properly.
'If these programmes are to succeed, it will depend much on your commitment, on your dedication, your efficiency and therefore I believe, you are the builders of India of our dream. And this is a unique challenge.'
He said an India worthy of everyone's dreams cannot be built without improving the quality of governance at all levels, and added: 'I do believe, that in this room we have men and women who are going to make that crucial difference.'
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