‘Let’s Look Forward to See Corrupt Free IAS Officers”- Bishop Saldanha during Launch of SAICS
‘Let’s Look Forward to see Corrupt Free IAS Officers’- Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Peter Paul Saldanha during the inauguration of St Aloysius Institute of Civil Services (SAICS) on Tuesday, 4 June 2019
Mangaluru : The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. It is conducted in three phases – a preliminary examination consisting of two objective-type papers (General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II also popularly known as Civil Service Aptitude Test or CSAT), and a main examination consisting of nine papers of conventional (essay) type, followed by a personality test (interview).
The inaugural programme of St Aloysius Institute of Civil Services (SAICS), a unit of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru in collaboration with Alternative Learning Systems (ALS), New Delhi was held on 4 June, 2019 in the Audio-Visual Hall of St Aloysius Gonzaga CBSE School. Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese was the Chief Guest. Sasikanth Senthil, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, J.R. Lobo, KAS, Former MLA, Mangaluru South Legislative Constituency, Michael D’Souza, NRI, Philanthropist and Rithesh Handa, CEO of ALS, Delhi were the Guests of honour. Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ, Rector, St Aloysius Institutions presided over the programme, while coordinators of the Project-Dr Rose Veera D’souza and Dr Donald Lobo were also present on the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said that the College has added one more feather to the institution by introducing the Civil Services Academy. He said that this academy has been the long cherished dream of Mangaloreans and people of the coastal districts. The objective of the academy is to empower young men and women by rigorously training them to be responsible and enlightened citizens of the country. He quoted APJ Abdul Kalam’s sentiments and belief that “education was to build character and human values by inculcating dignity and a sense of moral responsibility”. He also said that the academy will take the youth towards value-based orientation and mould them into committed and honest officers. He urged the UPSC aspirants to sincerely attempt to make India a corruption-free country. “Let’s look forward to see corrupt Free IAS Officers, after passing out of this Institution and serve the nation in that post” added Bishop.
Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, IAS, said that this is a momentous milestone in the history of St Aloysius College. He congratulated the IAS aspirants for joining this institution. He said that the preparation for Civil Services Examination is not an easy task. The faculty and aspirants have to focus on character building. He requested the aspirants to become deeply conscious of the issues and concerns of the society. Narrating his life story so that the aspirants could draw inspiration, strength and motivation, He said, “I changed my job from IT to work in the field through teaching and interacting with varieties of people. This inspired me to take numerous attempts to finally crack the IAS at the fifth attempt standing 9th in All India. I want to tell you that UPSC exam is only a reflection of the job one is up to. Therefore, let me tell you four important qualities with my personal examples: interest in everything; empathy for all; maintain anonymity in the job; and lastly bind it with courage.”
Former MLA J R Lobo, in his address, congratulated the Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society and Jesuits for initiating the noble venture of the IAS Academy. He said that the youth should have the willingness to serve the society with highest degree integrity and excellence. He urged the IAS aspirants to work hard and become good officers to create a corruption-free society. “We see lots of IAS Officers hailing from other parts of the Country, so with the launching of this institution we need to look forward IAS Officers from the South. You need to be willing to serve the society, and not just be greedy for salary Remember that this is a great institution, where you’ll get the best education, and you’ll be guided all through your academic year here. Try to be a good officer, and stay away from corruption-work hard with dedication and fear of God- and success will be yours” said J R Lobo.
NRI and Philanthropist, Michael D’Souza said the youth should have a great desire to serve the country. He exhorted the students to become good citizens of the country and serve the society with zeal and enthusiasm. “Our dream has been realized which was planned eight months ago, and I compliment Rector and Fr Praveen Martis SJ for making this project happen, which is yet another feather in the cap of St Aloysius Institution. Hard work, dedication and God fearing will surely lead to the success of the the aspirants who have signed up for this course. Serve the nation corrupt free and be good bureaucrats and great leaders of this nation” added D’souza.
Rector, Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ, in his presidential remarks said that Civil Services is not a profession, it is a vocation. It is a call from the Almighty and this call has made the aspirants to join this institution. We have started this institution to prepare future leaders for our country. He said that three skills are important, namely, Advance Skills; Social & Behavioural Skills; and Combination of Skills.
Principal, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis, SJ in his welcomed address thanked NRI Michael D’souza for his contribution towards the project, a 50/50 deal, and said that St Aloysius College is happy to be associated with ALS. Dr Joyce Sabeena Lobo compered the program, while Dr Rose Veera D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.
Dear Alfie Dsouza, Thank you very much for sharing the complete news on the latest Launch of SAICS. This wide-ranging article has given us readers of what exactly each of the members present on stage to honor this event spoke. It was such an inspiring read and I am sure every IAS officer present, past and future should read.