President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced and addressed the valedictory function of the 97th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, on 9 December, 2022.
Addressing the Officer Trainees, the President said that even as she was addressing them, the words of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were echoing in her memory. In April 1947, while meeting a batch of IAS trainees, Sardar Patel had said, “We must expect and we have a right to expect the best out of every civil servant in whatever position of responsibility he or she may be”. The President said that today we can proudly say that the civil servants have lived up to this expectation.
The President noted that the main mantra of this Foundation Course is “We, not I”. She expressed confidence that the Officer Trainees of this Course would shoulder the responsibility of taking the country forward with a collective spirit. She said that many of them would run the administration of a large part of the country for the coming 10-15 years and would be connected with the masses. As such, they could give a concrete shape to the India of their dreams.
Referring to the Academy’s motto, ‘Sheelam Param Bhushanam’, which means ‘character is the highest virtue’, the President said that the method of training at LBSNAA is based on the principle of Karma-Yoga, in which, character is of great importance. She advised Officer Trainees to be sensitive towards the underprivileged sections of society. She further said that ‘Anonymity’, ‘Ability’ and ‘Austerity’ are the ornaments of a civil servant, and these qualities would give them self-confidence throughout the service period.
Reminding everone present that the officers of the 97th Common Foundation Course are entering civil services in the Amrit Kaal of India’s independence, President Murmu said that in the next 25 years, they would play an important role in policy-making and its implementation for the all-round development of the country.
She also appreciated the past and present officials of LBSNAA for their great dedication and hard work in moulding the brilliant minds of our country into capable civil servants. She expressed confidence that facilities inaugurated today, including the new hostel block and mess, Arena Polo Field, would be beneficial to the Trainee Officers. She also took the name of the ‘Parvatmala Himalayan & North East Outdoor Learning Arena’, the construction of which started today, and said that it would act as a knowledge base for civil servants and trainees regarding the Himalayas and North-East Region of India.
