You are heading the rescue operations in an area affected by severe natural calamity. Thousands of people are rendered homeless and deprived of food, drinking water and other basic amenities. Rescue work has been disrupted by heavy rainfall and damage to supply routes. The local people are seething with anger against the delayed limited rescue operations. When your team reaches the affected area, the people there heckle and even assault some of the team members. One of pa-Ur team members is even severely injured. Faced with this crisis, some team members plead with you to call off the operations fearing threats to their life. In such trying circumstances, what will be your response? Examine the qualities of a public servant which will be required to manage the situation. (UPSC IAS Mains 2019 General Studies Paper – 4)
In this situation, there are several key stakeholders that need to be considered. These include
- the affected people in the area,
- local government and police authorities,
- the rescue team,
- the medical staff providing aid,
- NGOs and aid organizations providing assistance.
Given the complexity of the situation, it is important to take a multi-pronged approach to ensure that rescue efforts can be completed in a safe and effective manner.
- The first step would be to ensure the safety of all team members. I would ensure that the injured team member is provided with medical attention and ensure that the other team members are protectedfrom the angry mob.
- Establish communication with local government officials and police authorities: It is important to establish open communication with the local government and police authorities to ensure that they are aware of the situation and can provide additional support if needed.
- Engage with local stakeholders:The rescue team should engage with local stakeholders, such as community leaders, to ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed. This can help to build trust between the team and the affected people and provide a basis for a more successful rescue operation.
- Explore alternative routes:The rescue team should explore alternative routes for delivering aid and services to the affected people, such as airdrops or boats if the roads and supply routes are damaged.
- Foster understanding:Lastly, the team should make an effort to foster understanding between the affected people and the rescue team. This can be done by providing information about the rescue efforts and providing assistance to the affected people in a respectful manner. By taking these steps, the rescue team can ensure that rescue operations can be conducted in a safe and effective manner.
- Finally, I would need to ensure that justice is servedand that the people are provided with the necessary help and resources.
Qualities of Public Servant
- In such a situation, qualities such asempathy, respect, determination, strong communication skills, and a sense of justice will be of utmost importance. I would need to be able to empathize with the local people, understand their needs and respect their opinions.
- I would need to be determined to carry out the rescue operations, despite the odds, and ensure that the team members are provided with the necessary support and protection.
- My communication skills would need to be strong and effective so that I can explain the situation to the people in a way that they can understand and be assured of our efforts to aid them.
Leadership is the most important quality of a public servant. Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.
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