Bharat today is jettisoning colonial mindset, defying earlier deified colonial ideas-VP
Indian public administration should have Indian characteristics distanced from colonial mindset, says Vice President
Emotional intelligence and cultural competence among public officials is
crucial to understand the struggles of the marginalized and the underprivileged-VP
Technology adoption in public administration must be inclusive and inspired by
‘Antyoday’ – VP
Evidence-based studies essential to assess the impact of welfare policies,
stresses VP
Participation of women in policy making will promote empathetic and sensitive
governance, underlines VP
Vice President addresses the 70th Annual Meeting of the General Body of
IIPA
The Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said that Bharat is quickly jettisoning the colonial mindset, we are now defying the earlier deified colonial ideas and symbols and Indian public administration should have Indian characteristics distanced from colonial mindset, aligning with our aspirations post independence.
While
addressing the gathering at the 70th Annual Meeting of the General Body of
Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi today, Vice President underlined, “Indian
public administration should have Indian characteristics distanced from colonial
mindset aligning with our aspirations post independence. Look at the overall
trajectory, more so in the last decade.”
“We are now defying the earlier deified colonial
ideas and symbols. King’s way is now Kartavya Path and Race Course Road is Lok
Kalyan Marg. Netaji now stands in the canopy where once King George’s statue
was there. The ensign of India Navy was changed to include our tricolour. 1500
colonial-era statutes are not on the law book anymore.
The new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — have unshackled Indian Criminal Justice system from colonial legacy. It is a monumental and revolutionary change that the ‘Dand’ Sanhita has now become the ‘Nyaya’ Sanhita, effecting improvements to protect victim’s interests, carry out prosecution efficiently, amongst many other aspects. Bharat is quickly jettisoning the colonial mindset. Now you do not need English to learn medicine or technology”, he added.
Recalling the ‘Panch Prans’ iterated by
the Prime Minister during his Independence Day speech in 2022, Shri Dhankhar
stated, “...Prime Minister reminded us that we need to build an India free of
colonial mindset. To that end, he gave panch pran or five resolves. (a) a
resolve of developed India, (b) Removing any trace of the colonial mindset, (c)
Taking pride in our legacy, (d) Our strength of unity, and (e) Fulfilling the
duties of citizens with honesty. Our public administration would be out of sync
with national mood and spirit if it does not imbibe these values”.
Highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence and soft skills among public officials, Dhankhar said, “Focus more on emotional intelligence of its trainees. Developing soft skills, emotional intelligence, and cultural competence among public officials is crucial so that officials can understand the struggles of the marginalised and the underprivileged; design and implement policies that truly address those challenges”.
In his address, Dhankhar further emphasised
the need to enhance civil servants' problem-solving abilities and reinforce
ethical leadership, stating that while ethical standards are fundamental to our
civilization, they require constant nurturing to withstand temptation.
Emphasising on the importance of technology
adoption in public administration, he said, “Our training programs [IIPA’s] and
research initiatives should focus on emerging technologies like artificial
intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics, while ensuring their ethical and
responsible implementation in public service delivery. The cornerstone of
effective public administration is continuous learning and capacity building.”
Drawing attention to the concern of digital
marginalisation and need of an inclusive approach, Dhankhar underlined,
“However, while embracing technology, we must also ensure that it does not
create further divisions. Rapidly advancing technology can exclude the most
vulnerable sections of society. Therefore, our approach should be inclusive and
inspired by ‘antyoday,’ ensuring that technological advancements reach all
corners of our population.”
Stressing on the need for data driven and
evidence based studies to asses impact of welfare measures, Dhankhar underlined
“As we progress into a new era of governance, data must be at the forefront of
our decision-making processes. Evidence-based studies are essential to
understand the impact of various welfare policies. Assessments based on
empirical evidence will not only enhance the credibility of our institutions
but also build public trust in governance. It will also give a befitting reply
to those who are not ready to accept the phenomenal rise of Bharat and leave no
stone unturned to taint and tarnish our institutions!”
“As we integrate technology, we must prioritize
cyber security and data privacy. An environment of trust must be fostered where
citizens feel that their information is secure and used responsibly”, he added.
Recognising women’s exemplary administrative acumen and hailing the passing of Women's Reservation Bill, Dhankhar remarked, “This decision not only acknowledges the leadership potential of women, but also fulfills a profound aspect of Social Justice. I strongly believe increasing participation of women in policy making will promote empathetic and sensitive governance”.
The Vice President pointed out that while
India is a land of fairs and festivals, these celebrations are sometimes marred
by avoidable mishaps, underscoring the crucial role IIPA can play in
sensitizing district administrations at the national level. He emphasized that
with proper anticipatory measures and advanced planning, particularly regarding
amenities and safety, such incidents can be minimised.
Surendra Nath Tripathi, Director General, IIPA, Sunil
Kumar Gupta, Secretary to the Vice-President of India and other dignitaries
were also present on the occasion.