Destiny of 1/5th of a changing India in your hands, PM tells young IAS officers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the government's strength lies in the strength of the society and what officers learn on the ground is very important and change comes by integrating the people and not by tensions and struggles.

"Actions of civil servants must be in tune with the vision for the country. The government's strength lies in the strength of the society and what officers learn on the ground is very important," said the Prime Minister addressing the 2013 batch of Indian Administrative Service officers.

He pointed out that the IAS officers will manage several districts across India and said the positive change that they would bring will be beneficial for the nation.

"You will handle 1/5th districts in the next 10 years. You can change the fate of the country. Contact people, who have worked in districts in the past and retired. Enrich yourself with their experience. They have a lot of ideas and suggestions. They may not have been able to implement it in their times, use their experience," he added.

Prime Minister Modi said that change comes by integrating the people not by tensions and struggles.

For the first time the 169 IAS officers of 2013 batch started their career as Assistant Secretaries in the Centre. They were assigned important desks related with policy and flagship programmes of the concerned ministries and departments.