Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday urged a shift in how elected representatives and officials respond to public demands, saying politicians should be willing to say “no” while administrators should be prepared to say “yes, it can be done.”
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sankalp IAS Academy in Coimbatore, the Governor said those in positions of authority must understand not only the geography of the land but also its history and culture. He added that civil servants should think differently from others and work with a broader perspective.
Recalling his experience in politics, Arlekar said politicians often avoid refusing requests, while officials hesitate to commit to solutions. He argued that this approach should be reversed, with leaders setting limits and administrators focusing on making things possible.
The Governor also called on civil servants to move away from a colonial mindset and work for people’s progress, stressing that public service is the core of civil services and should be carried out with patriotism.
Referring to Bihar, he noted that many successful civil service candidates come from the state and often go beyond classroom learning by seeking coaching. However, he cautioned that clearing exams should not lead to failure within the larger system, and said civil services must drive social change and ensure national development.
