As we stand on the threshold of commencing the seventh batch of Master's Program in Government, I experience a sense of pride and joy for being a part of a very unique and noteworthy initiative by MAEER's MIT Group of Institutions, Pune - the establishment of MIT School of Government.
We have come a long way since the year 2005, when Prof. (Dr.) Vishwanath D. Karad and Rahul V. Karad approached me with a novel concept of starting an institute in Pune to train the youth desirous of making a career in politics and government. The concept immediately caught my imagination, as I had long nurtured similar thoughts. In fact, I distinctly remember that during my early days as a bureaucrat in Tamil Nadu, I had undertaken the task of training the 'Sarpanch' of all the Panchayats of the State. Hence, the thought of establishing such an institute had been at the back of my mind for many decades.
I was happy to see my thoughts taking shape at the MIT School of Government and I agreed to be its first Chairman. While initiating the institute my colleagues and I have designed its program structure, syllabus and contents. During my earlier experiences in administrative service and later as Chief Election Commissioner of India, I tried to bring in reforms in the electoral process and a certain code of conduct in the political environment. I always wanted to continue it and I got this opportunity while conceptualizing this institute. I must make a mention over here, that when we discussed this unique concept of this institute with Hon'ble Shri. Somnath Chatterjee, Speaker of Lok Sabha, during his visit to MIT School of Management to give away the Bharat Asmita National Awards in 2005, he too endorsed our views and gave some valuable suggestions on the conduct of the program and his encouragement has helped us to move forward.
During my days as the Chief Election Commissioner of India, I took the initiative of making people aware about the extent to which the Election Commission could exercise its right to ensure free and fair elections at all levels. This also set me thinking that, if the youth of India were provided more knowledge about the functioning of government, its role and responsibilities, they would take greater initiatives in working for a cleaner and more efficient administration in the country. This is the principal aim of MIT School of Government, Pune, through its Master's Program in Government.
The sixth batch of MPG has already commenced and will graduate in 2011. We are taking all efforts to inculcate in the aspirants the values of democracy, functioning of different democratic institutions and leadership skills. It gives me great satisfaction in informing you that one year at MIT-SOG may well turn out to be a landmark year for your career in the field of Politics and Government.
It will indeed be a proud moment for us when the aspirants assume enviable positions in Indian Politics and Government offices and embark on the noble task of nation building. You too could be a part of this endeavor.
