Inauguration of OAS Induction Training: Preparing Odisha’s Future Administrators

Bhubaneswar:21/8/24:The InducctionTraining Programme for OAS (Direct Recruitment) 2021 batch probationers was inaugurated today i.e on 21st of August, 2024, by Shri Manoj Ahuja, IAS, Chief Secretary of Odisha. The ceremony was hosted by Shri G. Mathi Vathanan, IAS, Director General of Gopabandhu Academy of Administration (GAA). A total of 48 probationers, including one probaƟoner from the 2017 batch, have joined the training. Among these probaƟoners, 20 are female, reflecƟng the growing parƟcipaƟon of women in the state’s administraƟve services.

The Chief Guest & the Chief Secretary Shri Ahuja, shared his thoughts, especially on what the state is expecƟng from these young Officer Trainees. He cited many examples from his career in different positions and responsibilities to build the point that bringing change is not that easy and change comes through meeting challenges, developing resources, and improving the growth indicators. QuoƟng William Wordsworth ‘Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very heaven!’ he made the point that officers at their young age can make positive changes in the lives of people. In a perspecƟve, when Odisha completes 100 years of its statehood by 2036, he stated the launching pad for developed Odisha is ready and the bureaucracy has played and would play a significant role in the transformaƟon. He observed that in the consƟtuƟonally mandated democratic system, there is a high degree of complexity within the administration. Hence understanding the regulatory powers and sensibly utilizing them while in the field matters most. Towards that, ciƟng examples and anecdotes, he advised the young Officer to develop personality traits and soft skills, imbibe administrative efficiency and aƫtude, and work quietly and professionally to ensure Odisha achieves 10% growth. The Chief Secretary suggested creating a Cell within GAA to collect and compile the critical observations and their feasible recommendations from the young officer trainees enabling the Government to take actions at appropriate levels for citizen-centric good governance.

Shri G. Mathi Vathanan described the day as a cover page of the career book of the young officers. He emphasized the challenges and responsibilities on the GAA side in shaping up the career of the young officers by exposing them to various sectors of knowledge and practice, inculcaƟng in them the personality traits that are important ingredients of personal and professional growth. He appealed to keep up with readiness, openness, and willingness for the engaging learning sessions during the inducƟon training. Shri Vathanan expressed his hope that the young officers would take the lead in administration and local area development, driving the progress of Odisha. Dr. Monalisa Lenka, AddiƟonal Director of GAA, and the Course Director provided an overview of the induction on the training program. She highlighted the objective of the program is to impart professional knowledge, skills, and values that are essential for developing officer-like qualities. She informed me that the training curriculum has been designed with a focus on participatory learning through a mix of in-house training sessions, exposure visits, hands-on practical training, sports, and other extracurricular acƟviƟes. During the event, three volumes of book reviews conducted by the OAS probationers of the (DR) 2020 batch, curated and edited by the Centre for Good Governance, were released by the Chief Secretary.

Shri Deba Kalyan Behera, Joint Director (F&A), who is also the Associate Course Director of the induction training offered a vote of thanks. The event was also attended by senior officials, including Dr. Himansu Bhusan Panda, Additional Commissioner & Shri Lala Manoj Kumar Ray, Deputy Director General of the Academy, and Dr. Shashank Grahacharjya, Director of the Centre for Good Governance. The staff of the GAA and CGGO team were also present.