CM Urges New Officers: Lead with Empathy, Purpose, and Humility

Shillong, June 24 : Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today delivered a powerful address to the newly inducted Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) batch of 2025, emphasizing the critical role of emotional intelligence, patience, and a people-centric approach in public service. Speaking at the Valedictory Programme of their Induction Training, the Chief Minister urged the officers to serve with purpose and humility, always prioritizing the needs of the citizens.

“Public service calls for utmost responsibility. In our endeavour to accomplish tasks and targets, we must remember that the core of our approach has to be people first,” Chief Minister Sangma stated, underscoring the foundational principle of good governance.

He particularly highlighted the significance of emotional intelligence, a quality he described as “very crucial in the job.” The Chief Minister advised the officers to cultivate patience and a willingness to genuinely listen to public concerns, stressing that “90% of the time, I have seen problems happen because we go ahead without consulting people. So, it is imperative that before we make a decision, we should talk and sort out.” This sentiment reinforced the importance of collaboration and consultation in effective decision-making.

The MCS batch of 2025 recently concluded an intensive 16-week Induction Training Programme (ITP) at the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI) in Shillong. The meticulously designed curriculum covered 16 thematic modules, including governance, law, education, disaster management, urban and rural development, and e-governance.

The training encompassed extensive practical exposure, including a 15-day immersion across the five districts of Garo Hills, providing the trainees with firsthand experience of the state’s diverse challenges and opportunities. A unique aspect of their training was an international exposure tour to Thailand, where they gained insights into urban governance, waste management, education, and healthcare systems.

Innovative components of the ITP included active participation in the Karmayogi iGOT platform, where officer trainees completed an impressive 489 e-courses. Furthermore, a “Symposium of Solutions” saw each trainee present practical recommendations to address key issues facing Meghalaya. These valuable insights have been compiled into a publication submitted to the government for potential implementation.

The graduating officers expressed profound gratitude to Chief Minister Sangma, the Chief Secretary, DGs, Directors, and their mentors at MATI for their invaluable guidance and unwavering support throughout the program. They fondly recalled memorable experiences, including a session with football icon Sunil Chhetri, which added a unique dimension to their training journey.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of course completion certificates, vibrant cultural performances, and a renewed commitment from the new MCS officers to serve the state of Meghalaya with dedication, humility, and excellence.