Workshop on ‘Ethics & Values in Good Governance’ for IFS Officers
SHILLONG: Setting “Ethics & Values in Good Governance” as the central theme, the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI), Shillong, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, organized a two-day workshop from September 29 to 30 for the Indian Forest Officers from different states of the country.
The event aimed at bringing the officers together to share and discuss ways to “Good Governance.”
Phrang Roy, Chairman, NESFAS and guest speaker at the event shared with the gathering the values that guided him through his career as a public servant.
He highlighted certain factors that influenced and shaped his work values as a product of the 60s which saw numerous social upheavals such as the rise of the Naxalites and the Hippie movement among many others. Roy spoke of how questions of inequality, opportunity and actions shaped his thoughts and deeds then. In contrast, he gave the example of the next generation, his daughter who grew up with the values of love for nature and environment shaping how she conducted herself professionally. He sought to answer the question of self – ‘Who am I?’ next, which he pointed out is rarely asked by one but is highly influenced by ones surroundings.
Roy shared with the officers the principles that guided him when dealing with various issues through his career not just as an IAS officer who worked at the grassroots in Western India in 1971 but also as an officer in the United Nations (IFAD) who worked with agriculture and rural development.
“Do unto others as you would have others do you,” “Forgiveness” and “Reconciliation” were the mantra he gave to his audience in dealing with the various issues an officer in a decision making position might encounter. He also stressed on the need for learning from the communities the officers work with, and the need to observe and learn. He highlighted how indigenous communities usually have a holistic view of agriculture.
