Implement solemn assurances given in Constitution: President Pranab Mukherjee

Mussoorie: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday asked the civil servants to implement solemn assurances given in the Constitution which guarantees justice, liberty and equality for all during their services.

Delivering his valedictory address at the passing out of 89th batch of civil servants at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mukherjee said the ultimate objective of any civil service is to serve this country as per the provisions of the Constitution which the people of this country have given to themselves.

"We have committed Justice for all--political, social, economical; we have committed equality and liberty for all--equality of status and of opportunity. Liberty of faith expression and belief and worship...We have assured individual dignity, the unity and integration of this great country," he said in his speech.

Mukherjee asked the fresh officers to implement these "solemn assurances" given in the preamble of the Constitution during their service of 30-35 years or more.

The President said after independence when India chose to adopt Parliamentary Democracy there were many skeptics who doubted how can a country with literacy rate of 18 per cent and which depended on imports for its food supplies will implement Parliamentary Democracy.

"Please remember your responsibility in serving the nation in various capacities," he said. Mukherjee said after independence a debate started on the fate of civil servants who served colonial masters. He said it was the intervention of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who said civil servants were "beautiful tools" and it was on political masters how to utilise them in best possible manner.