The  Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today interacted with Officer Trainees from the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) at the Vice-President’s Enclave, New Delhi. The officers are undergoing the Special Foundation Course at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA).

Recalling Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the “Iron Man of India,” the Vice-President highlighted his pivotal role in the integration of the princely states and the establishment of the All India Services. He observed that while Otto von Bismarck united Germany, where people largely shared a common language, Sardar Patel undertook the far more complex task of uniting a nation marked by immense linguistic and cultural diversity. He said that this extraordinary achievement went well beyond comparable efforts elsewhere in the world.

The Vice-President appreciated the role of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in selecting capable officers, as well as training institutes such as HIPA in imparting the necessary orientation for public service. As the nation marches towards Viksit Bharat @2047, he urged the officers to discharge their duties in the spirit of the Bhagavad Gita. He advised them to focus on their karma and to always stand by dharma.

Emphasising responsible and accountable action in public service, the Vice-President called for the timely disposal of files and cases. He stressed the effective use of technology to improve efficiency and service delivery.

During the interaction, the Vice-President spoke about the importance of patience in public life. He recalled parliamentarians such as Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shri N. G. Ranga, Shri N. G. Gore and noted that their enduring public following stemmed from the quality of debates they were part of. He observed that in the age of social media, where loud voices often gain traction, such popularity is usually temporary.

The Vice-President highlighted patience and attentive listening as essential tools of effective and humane governance. He said listening to public grievances often resolves a large part of the problem.

Responding to queries from the officer trainees, the Vice-President emphasised the importance of constant learning, adherence to dharma, and patience. He also spoke on the challenge of information overload, misinformation and negative news on social media. He advised officers to promote positive and constructive stories. He underlined the need for social responsibility before sharing content online and called for appropriate action to encourage responsible digital behaviour.

The interaction offered the young officers valuable insights into leadership, governance, and ethical public service.

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PR/ASM