Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration From the Desk of the Director Aarambh 2019 marked the beginning of a churning that will propel the civil services to achieve their fullest potential. In the calm environs of the Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia, sheltered by the towering Statue of Unity that commemorates the life and contribution of a stalwart leader and patriot, Sardar Patel, something quite like an idea revolution took place. This was the beginning of the common foundation course with the Officer Trainees of the 2019 batch being exposed to ideas of development in a strong and sustained manner. Speakers from across the globe joined the programme that was organized jointly by the Department of Personnel and Training and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Our partner institutions included Singularity University and the Institute for the Future. We had insightful input on world economics from the World Bank President, David Malpass and a firm laying out of the foundations of development by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani. As a week-long endeavour brimmed with informed discussion, the Officer Trainees saw and heard the miracles that technology can usher into the lives of people and also grappled with the dangers, the gaping ethical loopholes that technology is often riddled with. I hope that through this exercise we compelled the young officers to think about the policy and implementation pathways that will enable technology to make its way into the everyday existence of people and of systems of governance. The fact that Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi graced the programme and spent time addressing the Officer Trainees and answering the questions that a new recruit into the system of government would have, enthused them to put forth their best as they move towards implementation and execution. The need to have over-arching and enabling frameworks of thought to guide and indicate action was created through this interaction and the process that it was a part of. Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration From the Desk of the Director Aarambh 2019 marked the beginning of a churning that will propel the civil services to achieve their fullest potential. In the calm environs of the Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia, sheltered by the towering Statue of Unity that commemorates the life and contribution of a stalwart leader and patriot, Sardar Patel, something quite like an idea revolution took place. This was the beginning of the common foundation course with the Officer Trainees of the 2019 batch being exposed to ideas of development in a strong and sustained manner. Speakers from across the globe joined the programme that was organized jointly by the Department of Personnel and Training and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Our partner institutions included Singularity University and the Institute for the Future. We had insightful input on world economics from the World Bank President, David Malpass and a firm laying out of the foundations of development by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani. As a week-long endeavour brimmed with informed discussion, the Officer Trainees saw and heard the miracles that technology can usher into the lives of people and also grappled with the dangers, the gaping ethical loopholes that technology is often riddled with. I hope that through this exercise we compelled the young officers to think about the policy and implementation pathways that will enable technology to make its way into the everyday existence of people and of systems of governance. The fact that Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi graced the programme and spent time addressing the Officer Trainees and answering the questions that a new recruit into the system of government would have, enthused them to put forth their best as they move towards implementation and execution. The need to have over-arching and enabling frameworks of thought to guide and indicate action was created through this interaction and the process that it was a part of. The Administrator 60 (2) | 03 | Special Edition on Aarambh 1 The Parable of the Stone Cutter techniques with which you may be already overwhelmed. While I shall speak - Being an Effective Civil Servant briefly about the central theme that has brought together this gathering, I shall spend more time in telling you about my personal experience in the civil service. This will certainly include my successes. It will, however, also dwell Dr. P. K. Mishra on failures. As all of you know, India’s huge economic potential comes from its young and educated population, its abundant natural resources, its inherent democratic values and its attempt to peaceful international co-existence. Further, we talk At the outset, I would like to congratulate all of you, Officer Trainees, on about our young population, our natural resources and of course, our joining the Foundation Course - a memorable beginning of a long and eventful democratic institutions and our approach to international peace and harmony. journey in civil service. Further, you have the good fortune of being a part of a All of these provide an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive momentous new initiative of this one-week program at the Statue of Unity in development. Far reaching reform measures have been taken in recent years. the picturesque environment of Kevadia. In fact, after decades, this is a new Many structural reforms apart from short- term economic measures have been initiative inspired by our present Prime Minister, having a one-week program initiated. Whether we talk about the GST or the Insolvency and Bankruptcy as a part of the Foundation Course. I was here since the afternoon and had the Code, which have changed the whole scenario or the measures for inclusive opportunity to observe some of your activities, particularly, those in the five development, efficient delivery, mudras, Startup India, Standup India and so thematic breakout sessions. I was amazed how far we have reached in our on along with schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the commitment to ensure approach to training. When I look back at my days more than four decades piped water supply to every household within the next two or three years, the ago, there is so much of change. In fact, I feel a sense of envy because you are pace of positive change has been steady. Many of these measures will certainly exposed to so much knowledge; so many ideas and so many new techniques improve and accelerate our growth and in all these things, as civil servants, and this venue itself is extremely relevant. It’s a great tribute to the memory of you have to play an important role. Ultimately, it is the civil servants who Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel whose relentless work and vision has enabled the provide the framework for actual delivery in the field. civil services to contribute to the creation of a strong, independent and united India. However much civil servants are criticized, however frequently they are called bureaucrats disparagingly, one cannot but depend on civil servants like Needless to say, it was Sardar Patel’s conviction and astounding ability to realize this idea of a united India that made it possible for all of us to be a part of you for the future growth of this country and how to achieve a $5 trillion this great nation. The Statue of Unity has been conceptualized, composed and economy. In addition to some of these measures in the field of the economy built as an embodiment of Sardar Patel’s leadership in laying the foundation of and other areas, we have also taken up some changes or reforms in the way a new and united India. You have had in-depth discussion as I was told and that governance or the government missionary works, the human resource have been extensively exposed to issues about the economy, technology and aspects. In the last four or five years we have changed the way that our society. You spent Diwali with the people of the nearby villages. Of course, appointment process works, our placement, the human resource before that you had also your village visit and study. management. In selection and appointment, in giving an assurance to civil servants that they will not be victimized for acts done in good faith and for You have had so many experts and practitioners speak to you on subjects public benefit, there have been sturdy and incremental moves towards ranging from agriculture, rural transformation, education, health, sustainable bringing transparency into the system of governance. resource management, to the frontiers of new technology including, artificial intelligence and so on. All these, keeping in view the central theme of how to We recognize that we must innovate, we must change, we must adapt to new make India a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, a vision inspired by our things and we should be prepared to commit mistakes. So this government has Prime Minister. I would not like to impose another lecture giving ideas and tried that if somebody has committed a genuine mistake he or she should not The Administrator 60 (2) | 03 | Special Edition on Aarambh 1 The Parable of the Stone Cutter techniques with which you may be already overwhelmed. While I shall speak - Being an Effective Civil Servant briefly about the central theme that has brought together this gathering, I shall spend more time in telling you about my personal experience in the civil service. This will certainly include my successes. It will, however, also dwell Dr. P. K. Mishra on failures. As all of you know, India’s huge economic potential comes from its young and educated population, its abundant natural resources, its inherent democratic values and its attempt to peaceful international co-existence.