Special Seminar Organised at UTCS on the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena Urges Officers to Uphold Public Service, Transparency, and Integrity Above All

Civil Servants Are the Engine of the Administrative System; the Nation’s Progress Is Driven by Their Dedication and Diligence: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a special seminar was organised today at the Directorate of Training (UTCS), Vishwas Nagar. On this occasion, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, Vinay Kumar Saxena, paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his unparalleled contribution to the unification of India and the establishment of the administrative foundation of independent India.

During the seminar, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s indomitable courage, foresight, and exceptional organisational abilities strengthened the unity and integrity of independent India. She remarked that on this significant day, everyone must draw inspiration from the life and values of Sardar Patel.

The event was graced by the presence of Delhi Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, Director of Training Prashant Goyal, and other senior officials. The seminar focused on Sardar Patel’s life, ideals, commitment, and his contribution to strengthening the civil services.

In his address, Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena referred to Sardar Patel’s visionary thought in which he described the civil services as the “steel frame” of the nation. The Lieutenant Governor urged today’s officers to embrace humility, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to public service. He observed that Sardar Patel was not only one of the chief architects of independent India but also nurtured the nation with maternal affection during its formative years after independence.

He added that Sardar Patel’s leadership, firm resolve, and vision of a strong and united India laid the foundation of the country’s administrative and democratic structure. The Lieutenant Governor noted that today’s civil servants face multifaceted challenges such as technological transformation, social disparities, environmental issues, and the growing aspirations of young India.

He emphasised that the role of officers is no longer confined to mere administration; they must also serve as innovators, communicators, collaborators, and leaders of change. The Lieutenant Governor urged officers to make transparency, ethics, and the principle of Antyodaya; service to the last person the core of their work. He appreciated institutions like UTCS, which are preparing future administrators through training and leadership development, and added that true administrative excellence stems not only from training but also from character, compassion, and dedication. Remembering Sardar Patel’s vision, he said that the best tribute to him would be to ensure governance that is transparent, accountable, and people-centric.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reiterated that Sardar Patel’s courage, foresight, and outstanding organisational skills strengthened the unity and integrity of independent India. She said that under his leadership, the scattered princely states of the nation were united into the framework of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.

The Chief Minister remarked that civil servants are the driving engine of the nation’s administrative machinery and play a crucial role in determining the country’s direction of progress. She illustrated this by saying that if the government is the steering wheel of a vehicle, civil servants are its engine that propels it forward. The credit for successfully implementing any policy or scheme on the ground, she said, goes to the commitment and diligence of these officers.

Addressing the trainee officers, the Chief Minister said that training and education only provide the tools, but how these tools are used depends on the intent, vision, and energy of the officer. She added that one’s decisions, sensitivity, and integrity determine whether one is merely doing a job or serving the nation.

The Chief Minister further stated that joining the civil services is not merely a profession but a sacred national duty and an opportunity to become part of the force that propels the nation forward. Every officer, she said, must bring vision and depth to their work so that their contribution can positively shape the country’s direction and destiny.