New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Probationary Officers of the Indian Railways from the 2022 and 2023 batches, along with Assistant Executive Engineers of the Central Engineering Service (Roads) from the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 batches, met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

Addressing the officers, the President said they had entered public service at a crucial juncture in India’s development journey, noting that the country is moving forward with the shared vision of building a Viksit Bharat.

She told the young officers that, as members of the Indian Railways and the Central Engineering Service (Roads), they are “stepping into roles that directly affect the lives of millions of citizens,” emphasising that their responsibilities would have a direct and lasting impact on people’s quality of life.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure, President Murmu said it forms the backbone of modern nations.

“Railways and highways are not merely systems of transport; they are instruments of economic expansion, social inclusion, and national integration. When a train reaches a remote village or a highway connects a distant region, it opens immense opportunities for socio-economic development of such regions,” she said, according to an official statement.

The President further noted that strong infrastructure plays a vital role in reducing logistics costs, promoting trade, attracting investments, and improving overall productivity.

“It strengthens national unity by bringing regions and people closer,” she said.

Advising the officers on their professional approach, President Murmu said that success should not be measured solely in numerical terms, adding that the real benchmark lies in the extent to which their work improves people’s lives.

She urged them to uphold the core values of public service, including integrity, accountability and a commitment to excellence. Acknowledging that they would face challenges and difficult decisions, she said their values should guide them in such moments.

Encouraging continuous growth, the President advised the officers to remain curious, keep learning and embrace innovation in their work. She said that the choices they make, the standards they set and the dedication they demonstrate will leave a lasting imprint on the nation’s development.

President Murmu concluded by reminding them that they are “not just administrators but the enablers of progress and guardians of public trust.”

–IANS

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