Mussoorie/New Delhi: In a significant step towards enhancing international administrative cooperation, the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) has launched its first-ever Special Capacity Building Programme for mid-career civil servants of Mauritius. The two-week programme, which commenced on September 8 and will conclude on September 19, is being conducted across Mussoorie and New Delhi.
The initiative is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, as part of India’s commitment to sharing its governance expertise with friendly partner nations.
Diverse Representation from Mauritius Government
A total of 30 mid-career civil servants from 14 ministries and departments of Mauritius are participating in the programme. These include key sectors such as:
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Labour & Industry
- Ministry of Social Security
- Ministry of Education
- Prime Minister’s Office
The programme forms part of the broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Mauritius, under which 500 Mauritian civil servants will be trained over a five-year period.
Programme Inauguration and India’s Commitment
The programme was formally inaugurated by Dr. Surendra Kumar Bagde (IAS:1993:MH), Director General of NCGG. In his address, Dr. Bagde emphasized the value of this initiative in strengthening India–Mauritius cooperation and urged participants to engage actively with mentors and during field visits.
“This programme is not just a training but a bridge to strengthen our institutional and people-to-people ties,” Dr. Bagde remarked.
Comprehensive Curriculum with Practical Exposure
The training curriculum has been designed to give participants an in-depth understanding of governance models, policy frameworks, and decision-making mechanisms in India. Key focus areas include:
- Blue Economy
- Digital Healthcare and Public Infrastructure
- Smart Cities and Urban Governance
Indian Judiciary System and All India Services
Decision-Making in Governance
In addition to classroom sessions, the programme includes exposure visits to major institutions and field-level governance models, such as:
- Anubhuti Kendra (PM Gati Shakti & ODOP initiatives)
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
- Indian Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)
District-level attachment in Gautam Buddha Nagar for insights into on-ground policy implementation
A cultural visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra, is also scheduled to offer the participants a glimpse into India’s rich heritage.
Coordination and Support
The programme is being coordinated by Dr. Himanshi Rastogi, Associate Professor at NCGG, with support from Dr. M.K. Bhandari, Sanjay Dutt Pant, Megha Tomar, and the entire NCGG training team. The coordinators have ensured that the participants experience a seamless blend of academic insight, field exposure, and cultural immersion.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
This capacity building initiative is a reflection of India’s expanding role in promoting South-South cooperation, particularly in the domain of governance and institutional development. The training programme not only supports Mauritius in strengthening its administrative machinery but also deepens the strategic and developmental partnership between the two nations.
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