New Delhi, Aug 19: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday asked a group of IIS officers to use social media platforms not only to inform and engage, but also to listen and respond to the concerns of the people.
She said social media has fundamentally transformed the way citizens receive, share and respond to information.
"You should use social media platforms not only to inform and engage, but also to listen, understand and respond to concerns of the people," the president told the officer trainees of the Indian Information Service (IIS), who had called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
She said the officers will play an important role in ensuring that the policies, programmes and initiatives of the government are communicated clearly, accurately and in a timely manner to the people.
"At the same time, you have an equally important responsibility to listen. You should make efforts to understand public concerns, their aspirations and feedback. You have to ensure that the public communication is responsive and citizen-centric," President Murmu said.
In an increasingly complex information environment, she said, they will have to distinguish facts from misinformation.
"You should respond with responsibility during crises. In these times, when misinformation spreads very quickly, you should make sure that the citizens have access to the authentic information easily and on time," the president said.
Underscoring the importance of maintaining constant communication with the citizens, she said that at the same time, communication channels must be designed to enable meaningful two-way engagement.
In an environment where information travels instantly, let accuracy, credibility and public interest always guide the communication, she said.
"You should use latest technological tools with responsibility. You should ensure that innovation is pursued with due regard for ethical values, sound human judgement and accountability," Murmu said.
The president said, as India moves towards 2047, the IIS officers' role will become even more significant.
"A well-informed citizen is able to participate actively in development and democratic processes. I encourage you to communicate with empathy and sensitivity, keeping in mind India's rich diversity," the president said.
Addressing the officer trainees of the Indian Statistical Service (ISS), who had also called on Murmu, she said their work will support evidence-based policy-making across diverse sectors of the economy and society.
"You should always remember that behind every dataset, there are the real people and their lives. You should make statistics more accessible to citizens, researchers and policy-makers. Your contribution to building a modern, trusted and technology-enabled statistical ecosystem will be an important part of India's journey towards Viksit Bharat," the president said.
She said, reliable statistics are the foundation of sound governance.
"In today's data-driven world, the quality of public policy depends greatly on the availability of accurate, timely and credible data. The Indian Statistical Service plays an important role in generating, analysing and interpreting official statistics that form the basis of the decisions affecting the lives of millions of our citizens," she said.
The president said that the country's statistical system is undergoing significant transformation through digital technologies and innovative approaches to data collection and analysis.
The increasing use of machine learning and other emerging technologies offers new possibilities for producing more timely and detailed information, she said.
"At the same time, these developments place a greater responsibility on you to maintain statistical integrity, objectivity, confidentiality and professional excellence," President Murmu said.
The President said both the services (IIS and ISS) share a common purpose, which is to strengthen the quality of governance and serve the people of the country.
"Effective communication and credible information are essential pillars of a vibrant and responsive democracy," she said.
Murmu asked the officers to be judicious in their decisions, compassionate in conduct and unwavering in upholding integrity.
"The authority entrusted to you carries with it a profound responsibility to serve the people with fairness, humility and dedication. Your knowledge and skills will be valuable, but it is your character, commitment and sensitivity towards citizens that will ultimately define your contribution," the president added.
