Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday urged the newest generation of civil servants to anchor their careers in humility, compassion and integrity, telling them that public office is a trust reposed by the people and never a personal possession. He was addressing a felicitation ceremony in Srinagar for the successful candidates of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 and the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) Examination 2024.
Congratulating the candidates on clearing one of the most competitive examinations in the country, the Lieutenant Governor also extended his best wishes to their parents, whose selfless efforts, he said, helped the young officers realise their aspirations. He cautioned, however, that success in an examination marks only the beginning of a far larger responsibility, and that humility remains the foremost qualification of good governance and effective administration.
Speaking to the JKAS officers, he said their achievement reflected not only individual merit but also the aspirations, resilience and democratic spirit of Jammu and Kashmir. Pointing to the Union Territory’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage, he expressed confidence that the new officers would contribute meaningfully to truth, justice and public welfare.
Invoking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s description of the civil services as the “steel frame” of the nation, the Lieutenant Governor asked the officers to preserve the dignity of public service and to focus on meaningful work rather than public recognition. He observed that the true test of an administrator lies in responding sensitively to the concerns of the most vulnerable citizens. Drawing on the lives of well-known personalities across the globe, he spoke of compassion, courage, service, leadership, evidence-based decision-making and commitment to humanity, and advised the future public servants to look beyond procedures and files to the human realities behind every decision.
“Behind every file lies a precious life. I urge you to also look at the data hidden behind files, and to recognise the people standing behind those figures and understand their needs. Leadership is not a special privilege, but a great responsibility to serve others, guide them, support them, and empower them,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor outlined a three-stage framework for their professional journey. In the first stage, officers should understand realities on the ground by engaging directly with citizens and local institutions. In the second, they should build transparent, technology-enabled systems that minimise delays and improve service delivery. In the third, as they rise to leadership positions, they should safeguard institutions and uphold ethical standards.
Looking ahead, he said the India of 2047 would be shaped by the values, work culture and decisions of today’s young public servants, and urged them to ensure that their legacy is defined by the positive impact they make on ordinary lives rather than the prestige of office.
“Responsibility of the future rests upon your shoulders. There are moments when the course of history changes with extraordinary speed. I believe we are passing through such an era today. I hope you will serve the people in such a way that it becomes visible in their lives, and that your life is recognised not by the prestige of your office, but by the outcomes of public welfare,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Ms Rehana Batul, Director General, J&K Institute for Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (JKIMPARD); Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Shri Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Shri Owais Ali Bhat, Director, Exceptional Academy, and office bearers of the Academy attended the ceremony.
