President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in honouring the country's administrative backbone on Tuesday, extending their greetings to civil servants on the 18th Civil Services Day. The event, which acts as a period of introspection and rejuvenation for the civil service, featured the nation’s highest office emphasising the importance of civil servants in translating policies into tangible realities for millions of citizens.
In her message delivered on the occasion of X, President Murmu applauded the dedication of the civil servants to “responsive governance” and the enhancement of government institutions. She pointed out that the role of these officials, from future-focused policymaking to implementation at the ground level, is crucial for the advancement of Bharat. The President said that as the hopes of the country become bigger, it will be the “integrity and empathy” of these officers that will enable the bridge between society and the state.
Similarly, the Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of the day in reminding oneself of the common commitment to “good governance and nation-building.” Highlighting that in every aspect of governmental service, whether it be administration at the grassroots level or policymaking at higher levels, the work of the civil services impacts millions every day, the Prime Minister appealed to officers to work towards inclusiveness so that the citizens in the “last row” are not left behind in the main stream of development.
Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to the dedication of the service, acknowledging their vital role in fortifying governance. The choice of dates for the celebration carries deep symbolism since the date marks the day when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel spoke to the first batch of officers of free India on November 17, 1947, in Metcalf House, Delhi. During this important speech, Patel referred to the civil service as the “steel frame” of India.
However, despite being based in history, the day also looks forward. A central highlight is the presentation of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration. These awards recognise districts and units that have shown exceptional innovation in implementing priority programmes and resolving public grievances. For the thousands of officers across the country, the day remains a significant milestone to share best practices and recommit to the rigorous standards of public duty first established eight decades ago.
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