Seva Teerth inauguration marks citizen-centric governance: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: After 78 years, the nerve centre of the central govt on Friday moved from South Block to Seva Teerth, the new sand stone structure now housing the PMO, following a cabinet meeting in the British-era building where proposals worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore were taken up.

The proposals included construction of an underwater road-cum-rail tunnel across the Brahmaputra, multiple highway and railway projects and a new Metro link in Noida, and approval of the Urban Challenge Fund to promote sustainable urbanisation.




Speaking after the inauguration of Seva Teerth and two newly built Kartavya Bhawans, Modi said in the past 11 years, a new model of governance has emerged where citizens are at the centre of decision-making. “The decisions made here (new buildings) will serve as the foundation for advancing the ambitions of 140 crore citizens, rather than reflecting the will of a monarch,” PM said in a reference to the South Block’s colonial origins.

The history of the PMO traces to a small PM Secretariat (PMS) in 1947 to provide basic administrative help to the PM.

Modi said South Block and North Block, which till now housed important ministries like defence, home and finance, besides the PMO, were built to embody the ideals of the British Empire, but the new ones have been built to realise the aspirations of Indians. “It is important to remember that these structures were originally built as symbols of the British,” he said, adding that India’s capital moved from Kolkata to buildings on Raisina Hill that were built according to the wishes of the British royalty.

He said as the nation moves towards a Viksit Bharat, it is vital that India sheds every trace of colonial mindset and the mentality of slavery. PM said renaming of places and roads, including Race Course Road and Rajpath to Lok Kalyan Marg and Kartavya Path, respectively, were not only a change of name, but an effort to transform the mindset of power into a spirit of service.

Incidentally, on Feb 13, 1931, Delhi was inaugurated as the new capital of India after it was shifted from Kolkata. Urging govt employees to put in their best, Modi said India’s identity will not be defined only by its economy, but by the quality of governance, the clarity of policies, and the dedication of ‘karmayogis (employees)’. He said that every decision taken in the new buildings will shape the direction of a developed India by 2047 and that “2047 is not just a date, but the timeline of 140 crore dreams, where every institution, every officer, every employee, and every ‘karmayogi’ is significant”.

He said Seva Teerth should become a symbol of sensitive governance where service is visible instead of power, commitment instead of position, responsibility instead of authority.
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