New Delhi/Mussoorie : Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh called upon young civil servants to understand their critical role in safeguarding national interests and contributing to a Viksit Bharat by 2047 while addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie.
Highlighting Operation Sindoor as a model of civil-military synergy, Shri Singh praised the Armed Forces for their balanced response in destroying terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, while commending administrative officers for effectively communicating crucial information and conducting nationwide mock drills. He emphasized the need for enhanced coordination between governance and national security.
On the vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ and ‘Reform, Perform & Transform’, the Raksha Mantri urged officers to embrace accountability, integrity, and service. “You are not just providers, but facilitators of empowerment. Your character should be incorruptible, your conduct full of integrity. Honesty must become a normal part of everyday life,” he said, highlighting India’s rise to the fourth-largest economy, with projections to become the third-largest in the coming years.
Shri Singh stressed the importance of innovation and technology in governance, citing successful initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and the Faceless Assessment Scheme of the Income Tax Department. He also highlighted the SAMPURNA initiative of the Ministry of Defence, an AI-driven system ensuring transparency in defence procurement and payments. “Technology should be a medium, not an end. Use it to promote welfare, accessibility, and inclusivity,” he said.
Emphasizing empathy and people-centric governance, he advised officers to understand the challenges faced by vulnerable and underprivileged citizens shaped by social and economic circumstances.
Acknowledging the increasing participation of women in civil services, he noted that in the latest UPSC examination, a woman topped the merit list, with three of the top five candidates being women. He expressed confidence that by 2047, many women would rise to the position of Cabinet Secretaries, steering India’s development journey.
Shri Singh lauded LBSNAA for its comprehensive training ecosystem, calling the Foundation Course not just a module but a commitment to building efficient, capable, and sensitive governance. He reflected on the legacy of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, emphasizing courage, simplicity, and integrity, recalling his leadership during the 1965 war and role in the Green Revolution under the message “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”.
The Raksha Mantri also paid floral tributes to Lal Bahadur Shastri and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and inaugurated a One District One Product (ODOP) Pavilion at the academy.