Question 2 - Apart from intellectual competency and moral qualities, empathy and compassion are some of the other vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable illustrations. UPSC CSE 2022 GS Paper 4 Ethics Integrity Aptitude.
answer
Empathy and compassion are important attributes for civil servants because they allow them to understand and relate to the needs, feelings, and experiences of the people they serve. Empathy is the ability to share and understand the emotions of others, while compassion is the willingness to act on that understanding and to alleviate the suffering of others.
Empathy and compassion can help civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions in the following ways:
Empathy and compassion can help civil servants to identify the root causes and the impacts of the problems they are trying to solve. By putting themselves in the shoes of the affected people, they can gain a deeper and broader perspective of the situation, and avoid making assumptions or judgments based on their own biases or preferences.
Empathy and compassion can help civil servants to design and implement solutions that are responsive, inclusive, and participatory. By engaging with the stakeholders and listening to their voices, they can ensure that their solutions are relevant, appropriate, and acceptable to the people they serve. They can also foster a sense of ownership and empowerment among the beneficiaries.
Empathy and compassion can help civil servants to evaluate and improve their performance and accountability. By seeking feedback and learning from the outcomes of their actions, they can assess whether they have met the expectations and needs of the people they serve. They can also acknowledge their mistakes and shortcomings, and take corrective measures to improve their service delivery.
Empathy and compassion can also help civil servants to build trust and credibility with the people they serve. When people feel that their concerns are being listened to and understood, they are more likely to have confidence in the decision-making process and to trust that their needs will be taken into account³.
Some examples of civil servants who have shown empathy and compassion in their work are:
Dr. Kalam Raju Venkata Narayana Rao, who was an IAS officer in Andhra Pradesh. He was known for his empathetic approach to administration, especially in dealing with drought relief, tribal welfare, rural development, and education. He was instrumental in implementing several innovative schemes, such as water harvesting, microfinance, community health insurance, etc., that improved the lives of millions of people.
Ms. Smita Sabharwal, who is an IAS officer in Telangana. She is known for her compassionate attitude towards the poor and marginalized sections of society, especially women and children. She has initiated several projects, such as Amma Hastham (Mother's Hand), which provides nutritious food to pregnant women; Aasara (Support), which provides pensions to widows, elderly, disabled, etc.; Basthi Dawakhana (Neighborhood Clinic), which provides free primary health care to urban slums; etc., that have made a positive difference in the well-being of many people.
Mr. Armstrong Pame, who is an IAS officer in Manipur. He is known for his selfless service and dedication to the development of his remote district of Tamenglong. He has undertaken several projects, such as building roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, etc., with minimal resources and without any government funds. He has mobilized the local communities and raised funds through crowdfunding platforms to execute his projects. He has also shown empathy and compassion towards the wildlife and environment of his district by promoting eco-tourism and conservation.
Therefore, empathy and compassion are vital attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. They enable them to serve the people with dignity, respect, and care. They also enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in public service delivery and good governance.