The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, organized a special programme today under Vigilance Awareness Week–2025 (observed from October 27 to November 2, 2025) on the theme “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility.” The event featured two insightful presentations, followed by a commemorative lecture on the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The first presentation was delivered by Navdeep Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, Shimla, on “Legal Aspects and Case Studies of Shared Vigilance and Responsibilities.” In his thought-provoking address, Singh emphasized that vigilance goes beyond formal regulations and compliance; it forms the ethical and moral foundation of good governance, integrity, and institutional culture. Drawing from real-life case studies, he underlined that shared vigilance emerges when individuals discharge their duties with honesty, transparency, and accountability. He noted that vigilance must stem not from fear, but from inner awareness and moral courage.
Quoting the Prevention of Corruption Act, Singh remarked, “By upholding the spirit of the Prevention of Corruption Act, we build a society where merit triumphs over money, and trust prevails over transactions.” He also highlighted Digital Governance and Tech-based Vigilance as key pillars of modern vigilance mechanisms that ensure transparency, efficiency, and public trust in institutional functioning.
The second presentation was delivered by Ravi Chhawal, Director (Security & Technology), Department of Telecommunications, Shimla, on “Citizen-Centric Initiatives of the Department of Telecommunications.” Chhawal elaborated on various innovative measures adopted by the Department to enhance transparency and improve citizen services through technology. He particularly emphasized the role of the participatory digital platform “Sanchar Saathi” in promoting cyber security, public awareness, and effective grievance redressal.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Meenu Aggarwal, Resident Medical Officer and Chief Vigilance Officer, IIAS.
Following the presentations, a special lecture was organized to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. On this occasion, Dr. Muktikanta Mohanty, Fellow, IIAS, delivered a lecture on “Sardar Patel and the Idea of National Integration.” Dr. Mohanty described Sardar Patel as a towering symbol of India’s political unity, administrative integrity, and national resilience. He noted that Patel’s farsighted leadership and exceptional organizational skill made possible the historic integration of 562 princely states into the Indian Union after independence.
In his address, Dr. Mohanty observed, “Patel not only unified the geography of India but also integrated its soul — he envisioned the nation not merely as an administrative structure but as a moral and spiritual unity.” The session was chaired by Professor S. Ranganath, Fellow, IIAS, who, in his concluding remarks, described Sardar Patel as a pillar of India’s administrative tradition whose vision continues to inspire principles of good governance, ethics, and unity.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
