Principal Secretary to Chief Minister cum Secretary of Information and Public Relations department Sunil Kumar Barnwal today interacted with the students of Xavier Institute of Social Service and encouraged them to contribute for the betterment of society here on Saturday.

“It’s not about what you achieve; it’s about how you can serve the society,” Barnwal said as he initiated his interaction on ‘Role of Stakeholders in Rural Development’ at the auditorium of XISS. This event was attended by Head of Programme, faculty members and students of all departments. He shared his pearls of wisdom and experience in administration with the students.

During his tenure in the field of Administration for the past 22 years, he contributed in the various verticals of the Government of Jharkhand. He earned laurels by working in notable programs like ‘Momentum Jharkhand’, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and projects that involved bringing Industrial Reforms and Investments in the State of Jharkhand.

Barnwal enlightened the audience by sharing important yet accurate facts and figures from Jharkhand, such as 76 per cent of the population lives in the rural areas. He also stated that their governmental projects’ mission is to bring positive changes in the rural areas.  However, in order to make these changes effective, contributions from civil society organization, private companies and professionals are crucial, thereby bringing to light the ‘Role of Stakeholders in Rural Development’.

He emphasised on the combined efforts undertaken by the elder generation that possess experience and the young generation that is embedded with the knowledge of technology to bring change in rural areas. He also stressed on the fact that time, knowledge, technology, investments and the management of the plethora of natural resources as well as human resources available in the state play a vital role in the development of rural areas of Jharkhand.

The programme concluded with a question and answer session, where the inquisitive students asked questions related to the subject, its relation with the future of Jharkhand and how these young professionals can contribute towards the cause and become ‘Professionals with a Difference’.

In the beginning of the interactive session, the 1997 batch IAS officer was felicitated with a sapling by Director of XISS, Dr. Amar Eron Tigga, which marked the beginning of something inspiring. The Director mentioned that the inclusion of Administration and Government oriented lectures by professionals in that particular field was a medium of involvement of administration, academicians and organizations collaborative effort towards building a highly developed country in a whole.

The session ended with a Vote of Thanks by Assistant Director Fr. Pradeep Kerketta.