Address by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu on the Occasion of Call on by Officer Trainees of Indian Revenue Service and Assistant Executive Engineers of Cpwd

I welcome you all to Rashtrapati Bhavan. My heartiest congratulations to each of you on your selection to the prestigious government services.

Your decision to join the government, after clearing a rigorous process of selection, reflects your dedication and passion for public service. This is a great time to join the government service. Your careers will go parallel with the rise of the nation in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ leading up to the centenary of the India’s Independence. I am confident that you will make this opportunity count.

Dear officer trainees of Indian Revenue Service,

I am happy to see the diverse cultural, educational and linguistic background of your batch. I am told that you come from 20 States and Union Territories of India. I would especially like to welcome the officer trainees from Bhutan, our neighbour and close friend. I am happy to see that 42 per cent of the officer trainees are women. This is really commendable. Traditionally in India, most women run homes and manage the finances of the household. It is therefore, good to see more women officer in-charge of collecting the revenues for the country.

Collecting direct taxes for the government is a very important responsibility which calls for utmost effectiveness and transparency. The Government uses these taxes to fund development projects and ensure the welfare of the citizens. You have an important role in collecting resources for the Government and thereby laying down the edifice on which other structures of governance are built upon.

You must remember that taxpayers are not just sources of revenue, but they are also our partners in nation-building. It is essential that you create an environment that is both conducive to tax collection and friendly to tax-payers. In this task, harnessing latest technology in extending tax-payer services and enforcing deterrence is critical. You also have to constantly upgrade yourself with latest technologies and use innovative ways to widen and deepen the tax base.

Dear Assistant Executive Engineers,

CPWD is responsible for constructing and maintaining public buildings, government offices and housing, and other projects that are fundamental for effective performance of the people who run the administration and governance. Your role is critical, as you are engaged in providing better built-environments which help in good governance.

While going through the profile of the two batches present here, I noticed that out of 95 officers, there are only five female officers. When our women are setting new benchmarks in every field, I would be happy to see more representation of women officers in different engineering services.

India's rapid growth has led to a surge in the demand for public infrastructure projects such as roads, highways, airports, public spaces such as hospitals, educational institutions and government offices. There are still sections of our population that face significant challenges in accessing the public spaces. You must keep this in mind while designing and constructing a new project. You must make our public facilities more accessible to differently-abled individuals and senior citizens. Your role in this regard is vital, and I urge you to work with more empathy.

You must aim to create facilities that not only meet the needs of the present but also ensures a sustainable future for the generations to come. You must make use of the latest technology and methods to reduce energy consumption. I appeal to all of you to explore innovative ways to make the projects more energy-efficient, sustainable and environment-friendly.

Dear officers,

You are embarking upon a new career. The scope and breadth of exposure and responsibility that a career in Government offers, and that too at a relatively young age, is an experience and opportunity unlike any other. I hope that all of you shall contribute substantially not only to your personal goals and allotted services but also towards the larger goal of nation-building. I wish you all a successful and fulfilling career ahead. My best wishes for your bright future.

Thank you, 
Jai Hind! 
Jai Bharat!