CM’s advice to new MCS officers: Serve with purpose, humility, and emotional intelligence

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 25, 2025

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday addressed the valedictory programme of the Induction Training Programme for the 2025 batch of Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) officer trainees at the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI), Shillong.

In his address, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence, humility, and a people-first approach in public service. “Public service calls for utmost responsibility. In our drive to accomplish goals, we must remember that the core of our approach has to be people first,” he said.

He urged the officers to serve with a sense of purpose and to remain grounded in humility. He also highlighted emotional intelligence as a vital skill for officers, stressing the need to handle situations sensitively and to be patient while listening to the concerns of citizens.

“90% of the time, problems arise because decisions are taken without consulting the people. It is imperative to talk, listen, and sort things out before deciding,” the Chief Minister said, underlining the importance of consultation and collaboration in governance.

The 16-week Induction Training Programme was thoughtfully structured by MATI and covered 16 thematic modules, including governance, law, disaster management, education, rural and urban development, and e-governance.

Trainees participated in field visits across the five districts of Garo Hills, and also went on an international exposure tour to Thailand to study urban governance, waste management, education, and healthcare systems.

Innovative elements of the training included completion of 489 e-courses via the Karmayogi iGOT platform and a “Symposium of Solutions,” where each officer presented recommendations to address real-world challenges in the state. These were compiled and submitted to the government for potential implementation.

The officer trainees expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Directors General, and mentors at MATI for their guidance. They also fondly recalled highlights of the training, including an inspiring session with football icon Sunil Chhetri.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates, cultural performances, and renewed commitments by the new officers to serve Meghalaya with dedication, empathy, and excellence.