In Punjab’s Patiala district, it is a common sight these days to see young children in the offices of IAS and IPS officers. These children are actually part of a special programme launched by the district administration, under the guidance of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, whereby they are attached to their role models for a day. This came, after a huge response was received by the CM from the children that they want to become IAS and IPS officers.
The programme, named ‘I Aspire Leadership’, is becoming the new motivational destination for all government and private schools of the district, as it involves allowing school children to live a day in their life as the person they aspire to be.
There are many initiatives taken in other districts where children get to meet the District Collector. This, in itself, is very motivating. However, the Patiala district administration is going beyond just a meeting and allowing the children to don the mantle of the officer they aspire to be, under their newly launched programme.
THE DEMAND CAME FROM STUDENTS
CM Bhagwant Mann, while attending a Mega Parent Teacher Meeting (PTM) at the Government Senior Secondary School in Patiala received a number of demands for help from the children in becoming IAS and IPS officers. As the demand was huge, the CM wanted something to be done about it so that the motivation of the children remains strong and they get to become what they aspire to be.
So, the District Administration of Patiala, under the guidance of IAS officer Sakshi Sawhney, launched the programme named ‘I Aspire Leadership’. Explaining it in detail, Ms. Sawhney told Indian Masterminds, “Under this programme, we have provided a link to all the school going children of the district, where they can submit an application through their schools, informing about the person they want to become. It is not necessary that the post should be that of a government officer. It can be anything which they aspire to become in the future – a teacher, a doctor, or a musician.”
The administration is accepting applications of children studying in classes 8-12 of not only government schools, but private schools too. However, the government schools are being prioritized first.
As soon as the programme was launched, the administration received an overwhelming response, and the first candidate who got selected was from the same school that the CM had attended.
A DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE
Mahfuza from Government Senior Secondary School was the first applicant who was selected and was invited to the District Commissioner office with her parents, as she aspires to become a civil servant. She entered the office and was offered the DC’s chair to sit on and become the ‘DC of Patiala’ for a day. Ms. Sakshi said, “It was very heartening to see her, as well as her father who works very hard to educate his children. This experience will surely motivate her in her future endeavours.”
She further said that that UPSC exam is a great leveling field, as it does not matter what economic background the candidates come from, and what they have studied. The exam just focuses on how well the candidate has prepared and how strong their passion towards the profession is.
Mahfuza was given a core experience of the things a Deputy Commissioner deals with, in a day. It varies from Covid situation, disaster management, to revenue administration. She was also allowed to attend meetings on stubble burning and revenue records, where the current status was discussed by the concerned officers. “She was very curious and enjoyed her first visit. This will definitely motivate her to appear for the UPSC exam in future,” said Ms. Sawhney.
Mahfuza also visited the SSP office and got a chance to speak with the current SSP Varun Sharma. She got to learn about the police procedures and also got a chance to inspect the revenue record room.
The programme is an ongoing initiative, and as and when the applications are selected, the children will be attached to the concerned professional, who they aspire to become in the future.
