Relevance in Civil Service

a. Spirit of Service

1. Public Welfare Focus: The spirit of service is fundamental for civil servants, as it drives their commitment to serving the public and improving societal welfare. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many civil servants exemplified this spirit by working tirelessly to manage health crises and ensure the distribution of essential supplies.
2. Empathy and Responsiveness: This spirit fosters empathy and responsiveness, enabling civil servants to address citizen grievances effectively. For example, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana requires civil servants to prioritize the needs of marginalized communities in housing initiatives.

b. Courage of Firm Conviction

1. Ethical Decision-Making: The courage of firm conviction is crucial for standing by ethical principles even in challenging circumstances. An example is the exposure of corruption by officials like Ashok Khemka, who faced significant resistance but upheld integrity in public administration.
2. Policy Implementation: It helps in implementing policies despite opposition. For instance, Demonetization required civil servants to enforce new regulations amidst widespread public resistance, demonstrating courage and conviction in policy execution.

In summary, both the spirit of service and courage of firm conviction are essential for civil servants to effectively serve the public and uphold ethical standards.