Today is Good Governance and holds special significance as it is the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To celebrate this milestone, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has announced a week-long campaign titled ‘Going to Village’ from 19 to 24 December 2024. The initiative aims to bring governance to the grassroots level to ensure that administrative services reach the rural population. Good Governance Day is a reminder of the importance of governance that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. Good governance is a process of managing public resources and institutions honestly and fairly, without corruption or abuse of power. It ensures that laws are followed, human rights are protected, and the needs of society are met. It aims to raise awareness among people about the responsibility of the government to effectively serve citizens and encourage public participation in the governance process.
Good Governance Day is observed every year in India on 25 December to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. First observed in 2014, the day underlines the government’s commitment to providing transparent and accountable governance and ensuring that the benefits of development reach every citizen. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a prominent Indian politician and a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Known for his eloquence and poetic skills, he was respected across party lines for his liberal political views and consensus-building efforts. Vajpayee’s political career spanned over five decades, during which he played a key role in shaping India’s domestic and foreign policies. In recognition of his service to the nation, he was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2015.
Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an eminent statesman, poet, and orator. He served as the Prime Minister of India thrice and left an indelible mark on the country’s development trajectory. His tenure included significant economic reforms, infrastructure projects such as the Golden Quadrilateral, and efforts to improve India’s global standing. Vajpayee’s leadership was characterized by his commitment to democratic ideals, which makes his birth anniversary an appropriate occasion to celebrate Good Governance Day. Good Governance Day 2024 not only commemorates Vajpayee’s legacy but also urges citizens and officials to promote transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance for the overall development of the country.
Good Governance Day holds special significance as it is the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To celebrate this milestone, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has announced a week-long campaign titled ‘Going to Village’ from 19 to 24 December 2024. The initiative aims to bring governance to the grassroots level to ensure that administrative services reach the rural population. Good Governance Day is a reminder of the importance of governance that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. Good governance is a process of managing public resources and institutions honestly and fairly, without corruption or abuse of power. It ensures that laws are followed, human rights are protected, and the needs of society are met. It aims to raise awareness among people about the responsibility of the government to effectively serve citizens and encourage public participation in the governance process.
To recognize his contribution to Indian politics and his vision for a transparent and accountable government. To promote awareness, and educate citizens about the importance of good governance and their role in the democratic process. To strengthen the government’s commitment to serving the public effectively and ethically. It can be defined as the process of making and implementing decisions within an organization or society. Governance is not only necessary to maintain order; it also helps to achieve objectives and address the needs of a community or group. According to the World Bank, good governance is “how power is exercised in managing a country’s economic and social resources for development.” Institutions should operate in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are being taken. It also prevents corrupt practices. The ruling class must be accountable to the people. This will ensure the well-being of the people and the entire society.
Governing bodies should be sensitive to the concerns of the people and address their needs within a reasonable time. People from all sections of society should be provided equal opportunities for improvement without any discrimination. Decisions should be taken with the consent of a large section of society so that it is not detrimental to anyone. Available resources should be used efficiently to achieve results that meet the needs of their community. Legal frameworks should be implemented fairly to maintain the rights of every individual. People of the society should be able to express their opinions through legitimate organizations or representatives. This also includes weaker and backward groups. Good governance practices help in maintaining the interests of the public. Good governance enables an organization to make optimal and efficient use of existing resources to deliver quality service. Good governance practices also ensure checks and balances against excessive use of power and position.
Public participation in the governance process can only be achieved when good governance practices are implemented. Good Governance Day emphasizes ethical governance, transparency, and citizen participation through various initiatives. These initiatives aim to make administration more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centric. Promotes e-governance, digital literacy, and seamless access to government services. Ensures transparency by empowering citizens to access public information. Encourages citizen participation in policy making by providing feedback on government projects. Focuses on improving sanitation, cleanliness, and waste management across India. Transfers subsidies directly to beneficiaries reduces corruption, and ensures targeted delivery. Monitors timely execution of government projects while addressing delays for efficient governance.