Governor Mangubhai Patel on Monday said that public service is a rare privilege, and a true public servant is defined by their commitment to human welfare and national development. He was addressing the newly appointed chief executive officers of district panchayats and block development officers of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department during a courtesy visit held at the Golden Jubilee Auditorium of Raj Bhavan. Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor, K.C. Gupta, was also present.
Patel urged the officers to approach their administrative responsibilities with a service-minded attitude, stating that public service is not just a career but a moral responsibility. He advised the officers to apply the insights gained from their training and from the experiences of senior officers to address administrative challenges effectively.
He stressed the importance of field visits and direct public interaction. “When you are in the field, meet people with warmth, listen to their problems politely, and resolve them with urgency. Basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, water, and healthcare must be addressed immediately,†he said.
The governor said that over the years, welfare initiatives of both the central and state governments have paved the way for development in Madhya Pradesh, with visible progress even in remote regions. He emphasized that officials bear the responsibility of ensuring that government schemes reach the poor, deprived, and needy, and that it is their duty to implement these programs effectively at the grassroots level.
Patel was welcomed by Sarita Bala, director of the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), Bhopal, who presented a plant and a memento. She also delivered the welcome address. Trainee officers Astha Jain and Ravi shared their experiences from the training program. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dinesh Jain, additional secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
The program was conducted by joint commissioner Anil Kochar.
