What do you understand about the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of a public servant.

Public Servant refers to individuals who by the demand of their profession or commitment of their conscience are dedicated to the welfare of the public selflessly. E.g.: Magsaysay award winner Bharat Vatvani’s efforts towards care and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness. 

The role of a public servant is multi-fold:

1. Public servants are supposed to be committed to the constitutional ideal of equality and justice. Rich and poor have to be treated alike. 

2. Public servants must show commitment to the highest principles of ethics. E.g.: the Nolan Committee report on public life lists: Selflessness, Openness, Honesty, Leadership, Objectivity, Integrity and Accountability as principles of public life. 

3. Public Servants must also ensure balance of efficient and productive outcomes with an incessant commitment to transparency and honesty in all public dealings. Corruption must never be justified for efficiency gains.

4. Public servant is often the link between the government and the people and must fulfil this role with the file and field approach of knowing both ground realities as well as having good theoretical knowledge of public policies. 

Dr. Ambedkar thus rightly said that a great man is different from an eminent one in that he is ready to be the servant of the society.