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Govt wants schools to observe ‘good governance day’ on Christmas

Narendra Modi pays tribute to Hindu Mahasabha leader Madan Mohan Malviya's statue in Varanasi during the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Madan Mohan Malviya's birthday falls on December 25. (Getty Images file photo)

NEW DELHI: It was officially a holiday for Christmas. But several officials across ministries ranging from railways to human resource development remained busy on December 25 as PM Narendra Modi undertook a whistlestop tour of his constituency, Varanasi, and launched several initiatives to mark ‘ Good Governance Day ’.Various wings of the department of telecommunications (DOT) launched new products and services. C-DOT unveiled the Gyansetu – an internet-based real-time information and communications technology (ICT) system designed to provide e-services in rural areas. It also launched ‘MAX-NG’, which will enable smooth transition from old telephony to voice over Internet protocol and video services on existing landlines at cheaper rates.MTNL launched several initiatives for customers including an Android application which lists all its services. It also waived off a month’s rental on the combo broadband and landline connection.“There were about 500 employees in the auditorium,” said an official who had to curtail his Christmas leave to attend the function.The I&B ministry announced plans to digitize the archival footage on eminent personalities. I&B secretary Bimal Julka said the photographs would be made public through Doordarshan and social media platforms. Minister of state for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore attended a seminar on good governance in his constituency, Jaipur rural.The Prime Minister vowed to provide transparent, effective and accountable governance to the people as he kicked off ‘Good Governance Day’ to mark former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday.“The effort to usher in an era of good governance has just begun, and begun on a very promising note. An open and accountable administration is what we had promised to deliver and we will do so,” Modi said in his message.Modi also launched the Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching at the Swatantrata Bhawan in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.He said the education system was not meant to produce robots, but to develop a holistic humanist vision (‘Poorna Maanav Mann’) along with science and technology. The PM also unveiled the plaque of the Inter-University Centre, and launched the Campus Connect wi-fi of Banaras Hindu University by remote control.Modi also launched the five-day Varanasi Mahotsav that is expected to be a cultural extravaganza. He said events such as the Mahotsav would help boost tourism. The PM urged schools and educational institutions in Varanasi to develop expertise in various aspects of the city’s rich culture, which would help them contribute towards drawing attention of tourists. He was accompanied by culture minister Mahesh Sharma and senior culture ministry officials.Sharma plans to announce a slew of initiatives on December 26 including a helpline for tourists and a smart card with emergency numbers.Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj was in her constituency, Vidisha. Since this is holiday season almost all over the world, India's IFS mandarins took it easy. Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said there was no diktat for MEA to be working on Thursday. If someone was in office, it was a personal decision, he said.The finance ministry launched an e-book highlighting the achievements of various departments. The department of economic affairs unveiled a citizen’s charter detailing the timelines for crucial financial decisions. “No one attended office today. The e-book was launched through mail,” said an official.The labour and employment ministry celebrated Good Governance Day by holding a seminar focusing on initiatives taken by the ministry for improving the service delivery mechanisms of various programmes and schemes that it administers, especially harnessing the potential of IT driven systems.