Singapore Training of 23 Deputy Secretaries State Civil Service:

A Thank You Note to the Honourable Chief Minister

Twenty-three (23) Deputy Secretaries of the Sikkim State Civil Service were sent on training to Singapore by the Government. The training programme on “Public Administration and Management Development for the Officials of the State Government of Sikkim” was held from May 07, 2012 till June 15, 2012 at the Civil Service College, 32 North Buona Vista Road, Singapore.

Main areas and subject contents of the training were the following:

1.     Human Resource Management

2.     Leadership and Change Management

3.     Economic Development and Fiscal Policy

4.     Principles and Structure of Governance

5.     Disaster Management

6.     Urban Planning

7.     Whole of Government Concept

8.     Policy Development and Implementation

9.     Education

10.                        E-Governance Initiative

11.                        Managing Corruption and Clean Governance

12.                        Public Sector Reforms and Public Service Delivery

13.                        Tourism Management

14.                        Urban Planning

15.                        Project Management

16.                        Singapore Civil defence Force

These Deputy Secretaries of the  State Civil Service had this rare  privilege of being the first ever group of public servants from the State of Sikkim which has been given learning and exposure tour abroad in Singapore which is known worldwide for its excellent management and efficient public delivery system.

Having been to Singapore, the group realises the far sightedness of the government in general and the Honourable Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling in particular. It is because of the vision of the Honourable Chief Minister for a better, prosperous, progressive State of Sikkim that they had this rare exposure to the Singaporean administration, management, development and public service delivery mechanism.

Most of the learning lessons from Singapore are very relevant and applicable in the State of Sikkim. It is worth mentioning here that Singapore rose from nowhere after independence in 1965. With an area of 704 sq. kms and a population of about 5 million, Singapore today stands tall amongst the First World countries. The miracle was achieved not by doing different and unexpected things but simply by maximum utilization of its human resource. Despite lacking in natural resources, it is today one of the most advanced nations in the world because it has relied upon its human resource. Such a trend of utilizing the optimum from human resource is possible in Sikkim and the trainee participants see possibilities in Sikkim. Like Singaporeans, the group has learnt the lesson of converting weaknesses into strengths. The training has helped the group gain functional skills and attitudinal orientation while functioning as public servants.

These participants of training in Singapore would very soon be giving a presentation to the HCM on debriefing and reflections of the entire learning sessions. They would also be submitting suggestions and recommendations to the Government about steps that could be adapted in Sikkim for development, management, public administration and improving public service delivery. This training programme has also given them ideas which would further help them work towards realization of the Vision 2015 of the State Government.

The participants take this opportunity to thank the Government and the HCM Shri Pawan Chamling for having sent them to Singapore for such training. They would also like to express their gratitude to the HCM for reposing faith and belief in them as the new generation administrators. They further reaffirm their assurance and commitment to the Government and the State to spare no efforts in living up to the hopes, aspirations and expectations of the Government, the HCM and the people of Sikkim.

The group of trainees also thanks the Secretary; DoP, all authorities and concerned Departments who have provided all support in materializing this training programme. The trainee group is inspired by the exposure program and is committed to performing and delivering better.