In the domain of public service, certain
In the domain of public service, certain attributes are greatly esteemed. Building on the previously mentioned attributes, I would like to present two more qualities that I consider as important:
- Conscience:
- “Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.”
- It is the inner voice that guides individuals to act according to their values, beliefs, and principles.
- It guides the judgment of right and wrong and influences the behaviour of the person accordingly.
- It often involves a deep-seated sense of integrity, empathy, and responsibility towards upholding ethical standards and promoting the well-being of society.
- During the 1970s, Jaya Prakash Narayan called upon civil servants, police officers, and other authorities to uphold the rule of law and the principles of democracy, even if it meant disobeying unjust orders from the government. Such action requires the use of conscience.
- In Public service, Enforcement of law in letter and spirit is possible when public officials use their conscience. A civil servant would go for extra mile to help the last person in the row or Antyodaya (poorest of the poor) using his/her conscience.
- Also, the conscience helps in decision making especially while dealing with ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interest. It helps in prioritising the larger public good which brings trust, legitimacy, and ethical governance in public institutions. The act of Whistleblowing is based on judgement through conscience.
- It helps in bringing clarity about the self to bring harmony among thoughts, speech and action. Ashok Khemka’s conscience brought his thoughts against corruption into action & motivated him to expose corruption in various projects.
- Empathy:
- “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.“
- Empathy is regarded as the ability to understand and experience the feelings and sufferings of another person.
- The person becomes able to put himself/herself in the shoes of others to understand the mental state of that person.
- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam refused the installation of broken glass on the walls to ensure the safety of a building saying that it would harm the birds.
- When empathy turns into an action, it makes a real contribution to society. Armstrong Pame (IAS Officer of Manipur cadre) built a 100 km road connecting Manipur to Nagaland and Assam by raising money through crowdfunding.
- Empathy in public service humanizes government interactions, making citizens feel valued and understood.
- Rapid response teams deployed during natural disasters provide not only material aid but also emotional support, showing citizens that their government cares about their well-being and understands their plight.
- Prasanth Nair (IAS, Kerala Cadre) started Operation Sulaimani, a free food program in Kozhikode, to enable those who cannot afford a meal to have food with dignity and to avoid food waste.
- Holistric Competence
- Holistic competence is the mix of Professional competence and Ethical competence.
- Professional Competence ensures the technical skills, knowledge, and expertise required to perform effectively in a specific field or profession, whereas Ethical competence brings the ability to make sound moral judgments, act with integrity, and uphold ethical principles in decision-making and behaviour.
- A policymaker is capable of multidimensionally analyzing the impact of a proposed industrial project, but ethical competence would guide his judgment to prioritize the interests of vulnerable sections and the environment over mere economic development.
- In public service, the application of love, empathy and compassion along with professional competence is essential to serve the public with full devotion.
- Holistic competence improves decision-making by allowing the person to think strategically. For instance, in the case of disaster management, an officer-in-charge can look for long-term solutions by building the capabilities of people, instead of simply giving a response to the disaster.
- The effectiveness of a person depends on both skills and values as skill might get him a job but ethical competence would help in the long-term sustenance. Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership was not only based on his strategic skills but also on his commitment to truthand non-violence, which earned him enduring respect and admiration and brought.
- Industrialists like Ratan Tata have earned credibility, trust & reputation through such holistic competence.
- People work dedicatedly for such individuals or organisations for longer duration due to the same trust. Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha warrior king, earned people’s trust through his bravery and fairness. Therefore, many people dedicated their lives to serving Shivaji.
- Holistic competence is a balance of both bureaucratic and democratic attitudes. An effective administrator goes beyond mere oversight of school operations and attendance but implements initiatives to enhance enrollment and improve the quality of education.
- Transparency
- Transparency is not just about being open; it’s about being open, honest and accountable in decision-making and communication.
- In the public service, accountability can be brought with increasing the transparency. The Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005, empowers Indian citizens to seek information from public authorities regarding government decisions, actions, and expenditures. It allows citizens to scrutinize actions and hold public officials accountable for their decisions and use of resources.
- Transparency promotes integrity, ethical conduct & good governance, ultimately strengthening democratic principles and public trust in the effectiveness and legitimacy of public service.
- TN Seshan (Former Chief Election Commissioner) played a major role in introducing photo Voter ID cards for all eligible voters to eliminate bogus and duplicate votes and brought about transparency and fairness in the election process.
- In the absence of the lock of transparency, the door opens for corruption, social injustice and ineffective Public Policy.
- During a public health crisis such as a pandemic, transparent reporting of data on infection rates, testing, and hospitalizations enables policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to understand the severity of the situation, identify hotspots, and allocate resources effectively.
- In the corporates, disclosing financial performance figures which are truthful and accurate is essential from the perspective of all stakeholders.
- The voluntary public disclosure of information through the Jan Soochna Portal by the Rajasthan government shows the value of transparency in public service.
Answer:
Values and ethics are not only the backbone of our character but also the compass that guides us through life’s journey which includes our actions, decisions, and interactions with others.
| Values | Ethics |
| The term ‘value’ originates from the Latin word ‘valere’, signifying worth or to have importance. | The term ‘Ethics’ derives from the Greek word ‘ethos’ which means character. |
| Values are about – what is important. | Ethics is about – what is right and wrong. |
| Values are fundamental beliefs or principles that individuals or societies consider important and worth adhering to. | Ethics is a set of moral principles or standards that govern the conduct of individuals, professionals, or groups |
| Values differ from person to person as they are rooted in personal beliefs. | Ethics usually remains uniform throughout society as it is derived from societal norms |
| Values motivate a person to take action in accordance with the values. | Ethics constrains a person from not acting against the moral principles set by society. |
Values can be categorised as positive or negative based on the outcomes they promote.
|
Ethics is neither positive nor negative but neutral. The principle given in the Mahabharata ‘Atmani Pratikulani Paresham na samachary’ (i.e treat others as you would like to be treated, and don’t do things to them that you wouldn’t want them to do to you) expresses its neutral nature. |
It is important to be ethical along with being professionally competent because:
- A person who is only professionally competent but not ethical
- He/she can develop a bureaucratic attitude & focus more on procedures. During a disaster, such an officer can adhere to administrative protocols rather than taking immediate action to provide relief and assistance to affected communities.
- He/she may prioritise personal interests over public interests. For example – if a doctor receives financial incentives from a pharmaceutical company to prescribe a particular medication, they may not disclose information about alternative treatment options from the patient, which compromises the patient’s well-being.
- He/she may become a clever devil who uses knowledge for the wrong purposes like Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the USA.
- Ravan was a knowledgeable king who possessed great skills and expertise in warfare and administration but was not ethical.
- Shakuni in Mahabharata was a cunning and manipulative character. He used his intelligence to further his selfish interests.
- Some hackers possess exceptional technical skills but get involved in unethical hacking of sensitive information, stealing data, or causing disruptions to online services.
- Some scientists utilise their knowledge to conduct experiments that disregard ethical considerations.
- Civil servants who crack the toughest exam have professional competence but some of them get involved in corruption.
- A person who is only ethical but not professionally competent
- Such a person may end up being inefficient and ineffective.
- A volunteer who wants to help during a disaster but isn’t trained as a medical professional might accidentally hurt people because they don’t have the right skills.
- A nurse who wants to help a patient in an emergency but she is not competent to handle critical cases in an emergency.
- A subordinate officer in a military or police who values integrity and loyalty but lacks leadership skills and decision-making abilities may result in operational inefficiencies.
- A teacher who is highly ethical but lacks subject matter expertise and pedagogical skills may hinder student learning.
- A financial advisor who values honesty and transparency in financial planning but lacks expertise in investment strategies and financial analysis may lead to financial losses for their clients.
- Both Professionally Competent and Ethically Competent
- The effectiveness of a person depends on both skills and values as skill might get him a job but ethical competence would help in the long-term sustenance. Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership was not only based on his strategic skills but also on his commitment to truth and non-violence, which earned him enduring respect and admiration and brought.
- Ethics improves decision-making by allowing the person to think strategically. For instance, in the case of disaster management, an officer-in-charge can look for long-term solutions by building the capabilities of people, instead of simply giving a response to the disaster.
- Industrialists like Ratan Tata have earned credibility, trust & reputation through such holistic competence.
- People work dedicatedly for such individuals or organisations for longer duration due to the same trust. Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha warrior king, earned people’s trust through his bravery and fairness. Therefore, many people dedicated their lives to serving Shivaji.
- Holistic competence is a balance of both bureaucratic and democratic attitudes.
- In public service, the application of love, empathy and compassion along with professional competence is essential to serve the public with full devotion.
- Also, professional competence is only a subset of life activities. Holistic competence enriches all life activities and ensures harmony within the person.
- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is recognised as the People’s President as he earned the trust & love of the people through holistic competence.
In the end, it’s not just about what we achieve, but how we achieve it. Upholding ethical principles and positive values ensures that our successes are not only meaningful but also sustainable.
Public Service refers to work done by individuals or organisations to benefit the community or society as a whole. Individuals behave differently in their personal capacity but when it comes to public service, they assume more responsibility. Hence, public service requires certain qualities and values within individuals to serve the needs of the public.
a. Integrity:
- Integrity represents the harmony among the thought, speech and action of an individual.
- It involves doing the right thing for the right reasons even if nobody is watching.
- For example – following traffic rules even when Traffic Police are not present.
- In public service, it involves
- Putting public interests above personal interests. For example – Dr Ambedkar resigned from the post of Law Minister when the Hindu Code Bill (a progressive bill for social justice) could not be passed in the Parliament.
- Fulfilling duties & obligations responsibly as well as acting professionally with honesty & discipline to build & maintain public trust. Ashok Khemka (IAS) and Pardeep Kasni (IAS) despite being transferred several times in their career, continue to work with high integrity.
- Being honest and responsible, especially while utilising public money or resources efficiently. In the movie “Raid,” Amay Patnaik, an IRS officer, refused to stop the raid on a corrupt politician’s house without a written order from the Ministry or the Prime Minister, even when threatened and offered bribes by the politician.
- Deal with the public fairly, efficiently & sensitively. For example – a doctor treats a person accused of murder to ensure him/ her the right to equal justice.
b. Perseverance:
- Rome was not built in a day. Big things take time. Ambani was not made Ambani in a day. An individual who perseveres knows this thing very well.
- Perseverance is persistence in pursuing goals or objectives despite facing obstacles, challenges, setbacks or delays in success. For instance – J K Rowling faced rejection 12 times, but she kept writing and eventually found success with the Harry Potter series, becoming one of the most beloved authors in the world.
- Perseverance involves the ability to maintain determination, resilience, optimism in the face of adversity and practise fortitude.
- It is a result of the deeper understanding that some solutions have a high gestation period.
- Examples:
- India’s Space Mission failed multiple times, but ISRO persisted in its efforts to develop indigenous space technology and achieve significant milestones, such as the successful Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and the Chandrayaan missions to the Moon.
- Wangari Maathai, the founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, persisted in her efforts to raise awareness about environmental degradation despite facing significant opposition from government authorities and vested interests.
- E. Sreedharan, known as the “Metro Man” of India, successfully completed the Delhi Metro project despite facing numerous challenges.
c. Spirit of service:
- In service, we discover the power of love to heal, to uplift, and to unite us all.
- The spirit of service represents a selfless commitment to helping others and making positive contributions to the well-being of communities and society as a whole.
- It encourages one to pursue the goals of the organization with devotion, following the Kantian ethics which prescribes that duty should be performed for duty’s sake.
- In public service, the spirit of service
- Keeps the morale of public servants high by motivating them on a daily basis. For example – the swift implementation of government schemes requires a devotional element so that they consider Sewa (service) as their religion.
- Encourages individuals to go beyond their obligations to serve the public. For example – many Anganwadi workers, despite not being officially required, demonstrate compassion and empathy by supporting vulnerable families.
- Brings responsiveness to all & public welfare. For example – a civil servant with the spirit of service would prioritise transparency by suo motu dissemination of information about the administration
- Public-spirited persons such as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Swami Vivekananda, Bhagat Singh, etc dedicated their lives to serving the people and uplifting society through their selfless actions and contributions.
- Martyrs demonstrate the ultimate act of public service by sacrificing their lives for the safety and well-being of others.
d. Commitment:
- “Commitment is the glue that bonds you to your goals.”
- Commitment refers to the dedication, passion and strong sense of responsibility one demonstrates towards a cause, goal, or relationship.
- It often requires sacrifice, perseverance, and the willingness to prioritise long-term goals over immediate gratification.
- Commitment can be directed towards multiple things. For example – a civil servant can have a commitment to the Constitution, commitment to Policies, commitment to the Goal, commitment to public welfare, and commitment to excel, but he/she should not have commitment to any political party.
- In the context of Public service:
- Commitment demonstrates resilience in the face of challenges. For example – Despite limited education and financial struggles, Yashoda Lodhi from Uttar Pradesh learned YouTube video creation, establishing the channel ‘English with Dehati Madam’ to teach spoken English to her audience.
- Commitment transforms promises into reality. For example – the implementation of the Saubhagya scheme to electrify all households needs commitment.
- A dentist from Pune, Dr. Padmanabha Joshi dedicated himself to providing free dental care to underprivileged children in rural Maharashtra. His commitment fostered a strong sense of community.
- An administrator with a commitment to constitutional values may consistently advocate policies to address social inequality apart from completing his day-to-day administrative work.
e. Courage of conviction:
- Courage of conviction is about standing up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone.
- It refers to the moral strength and determination to stand by one’s beliefs, principles, and values, even in the face of opposition, criticism, or adversity.
- It is often associated with authenticity, sincerity, and inner strength.
- In public service, courage of conviction helps in
- Taking bold and decisive action to address pressing social issues or challenges even in the face of resistance. For example – police action against powerful criminals
- Advocating for marginalised communities with courage and determination. Savitribai Phule was often criticised and at times verbally abused by conservative sections and upper castes of society. Her works were even labelled as “evil” by caste Brahmins, but she continued her efforts in imparting education and stood up to her morals.
- Refusing to compromise on ethical standards or moral values, even when under pressure to do so. For example – Edward Snowden leaked classified documents to reveal global surveillance programs by the NSA to stand up for the right to privacy.
- Inspiring others through acts of bravery and conviction, serving as a role model for integrity and ethical leadership. For example – Mahatma Gandhi’s withdrawal from the movement due to the violent Chauri Chaura incident.
- Having the courage of conviction means being able to admit your own mistakes while also calling out the false actions of others.
- Civil servant activism and preference to resigning over bending is resultant of Courage of conviction. P. S. Appu, former Director of LBSNAA, resigned from his post at LBSNAA in 1990, citing differences with the government over administrative reforms and the need for greater autonomy in training civil servants.
- Fortitude, a cardinal virtue given by Aquinas, gives civil servants the moral strength to stand for justice.