Modi asks IAS officer trainees to research governance issues

Mussoorie, Oct 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with IAS officer trainees at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and asked them to study and research governance issues in depth.

Modi, who is at LBSNAA on a two-day visit, interacted with over 360 officer trainees of the 92nd Foundation Course.

According to an official release, he had "a lively informal interaction" with the officer trainees in four groups.

During the wide-ranging interaction, which lasted nearly four hours, the Prime Minister urged them to express their ideas and thoughts to him frankly and without fear.

"A variety of subjects such as administration, governance, technology and policy-making came up for discussion. The Prime Minister encouraged the officer trainees to study and research governance issues in depth, so that they could understand them well," the release said.

Modi also stressed on the need for them to develop a national vision. The discussions were marked by a large degree of experience-sharing.

The Prime Minister also interacted with faculty members of the Academy, who gave him an overview of the work being done there to train India's civil servants.

He also visited Gandhi Smriti Library at LBSNAA and attended a short cultural programme by the Officer Trainees.

Earlier, on arrival at the academy, the Prime Minister offered floral tributes on the statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha, and LBSNAA Director Upma Chawdhry were present during the interactions.