Why in news?
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted Civil Servants and their families and paid tributes to Sardar Patel on Civil Services Day- 21st April 2020.
Civil Services Day
- Every year, India celebrates Civil Service Day on April 21.
- The main aim of celebrating the day is to motivate the efforts and works of civil servants.
- It is celebrated as an occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the causes of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work.
- On this day, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are presented.
- These awards bring together civil servants to connect with each other and learn the good practices being implemented across the nation in the field of public grievance.
- The function is organised by the Department of the Administrative Reforms and Public grievances (DARPG) and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
- This annual fair award ceremony is a platform for Civil Servants to connect with each other and exchange their ideas.
Why April 21?
- April 21 is chosen as this was the day when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of Independent India, addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi.
- Since 2006, April 21 is celebrated as the Civil Services Day by the Government of India.
- The role of civil servants is not often acknowledged but they are the ones who keep working in the background to ensure smooth functioning of the public administration.
- As rightfully described by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel himself, civil servants are the “Steel Frame of India”.
A little insight into Civil Services
- As we know that Civil Service is the service which is responsible for the public administration of the government of the country. It does not include legislative, judiciary and military personnel.
- Civil service members do not take any pledge to any political ruling party but are the executioners of the policies of the ruling political party.
- Every year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the civil services examination for lakhs of aspirants who want to serve their nation.
- Civil Service word date back to the British time when British East India Company civilian staffs involved in administrative jobs and were known as ‘Public Servants’.
- Its foundation has been laid by Warren Hastings
- Further reforms were done by Charles Cornwallis who was known as the “Father of Civil Services in India”.
- Civil Service in India consists of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and comprehensive list of All India Services and Central Services Group A and Group B.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), popularly known as Sardar Patel, was an Indian politician.
- He was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India.
- He played an important role in the integration of many Indian princely states to make an Indian federation.
- He took charge of the task to forge a united India from over 560 semi-autonomous princely states and British-era colonial provinces.
- Using frank diplomacy backed with the option (and the use) of military action, Patel’s leadership enabled the accession of almost every princely state.
- Hence, he is recognized as the real unifier of India.
- He is also remembered as the ‘Patron saint of India’s civil servants’ as he established the modern all-India services system. He is also hailed as the Iron Man of India.
Statue of Unity
- The Statue of Unity which is built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is dedicated to the nation.
- The Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres.
- It is located on the Sadhu Bet island on the Narmada river, which flows between the Satpura and the Vindhya mountain ranges.
