The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee called upon civil servants to be instruments of socio-economic transformation. He was addressing officers attending Phase-V of mid-career training programme and also officers trainees of IAS, IPS, IFS and Royal Bhutan Civil Service attending 88th foundation course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie at Mussoorie today (October 18, 2013).
Addressing the Officers, the President said there are few bureaucracies in the world who posses the qualifications, repertoire of skills and talents that they possess. When Civil Servants face political pressure, they should be patient and tactful in handling issues within the prescribed legal framework. At the same time Civil Servants should understand the compulsion of political leaders who are answerable to their constituents, in wake of the growing development aspirations. He advised civil servants to have a vision of their own and contribute towards nation building.
President Mukherjee recalled his first stint as a minister in the 1970s, saying he had a seasoned and senior IAS officer as his Secretary, whom he once asked if he felt 'embarrassed' taking instructions from a young Minsiter like him. He quoted his Secretary's reply, "Mr Minister, when I receive instructions from you, I do not look at your face. I look beyond your face, at the vast multitude of people of this country who have chosen you to be here".
The President urged the officers to work towards strengthening of institutions. He stressed that institutions are the building blocks of our democracy and a fine balace, as envisaged in the Constitution, must be maintained. The President emphasized on the importance of role of women in development and prosperity of society. He said that women should be encouraged to come forward and their safety and security must be ensured. He urged the nation to reset its moral compass.
Also present on the occasion were Shri Aziz Qureshi, Governor of Uttarakhand Shri, V. Narayanasamy, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office and Shri S.K. Sarkar, Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
This release issued at 1840 hrs