Srinagar, October 28: An ‘Integrity Pledge’ was given to the officers on the occasion of the Vigilance Awareness Week at Raj Bhavan. The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha read out the Integrity Pledge and administered the oath to officers.
Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 28th of October to 3rd of November 2024 with the theme “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity”.
In a message, the Lieutenant Governor has said: “Corruption is a major obstacle to sustainable development, as it diverts resources away from essential services and economic growth. Vigilance plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth, ethical and transparent functioning of organizations, institutions and societies as a whole. Leveraging technology is instrumental in enhancing transparency and reducing corruption. Vigilance awareness amongst all stakeholders fosters a culture of accountability, protects public interests and ensures that institutions operate efficiently and with integrity. By remaining vigilant, we contribute to the creation of a system that promotes fairness, justice and progress in society.
Let all the departments and individuals play vital role in reporting corrupt practices and adequate transparent and accountable governance”.
Integrity cornerstone of prosperous nation: VC CUK
Central University of Kashmir(CUKashmir) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath, Monday said that integrity is the cornerstone of a prosperous nation, particularly within the domain of public service.
“The concept of integrity transcends mere honesty; it encompasses transparency, accountability, and a commitment to ethical decision-making,” Prof. A Ravinder Nath said, which kick-starting the Vigilance Awareness Week-2024, on the theme “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity,” organised by the Office of the Chief Vigilance officer in collaboration with the University Legal Cell.
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Dean School of Languages, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, Principal PTS, Manigam, Mr. Zubair Ahmad Khan, former IGP, Kashmir and Member, JKPSC, Mr. Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba, Sr. Prosecuting Officer, PTS, Ganderbal, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Mir, Advocate J&K High Court, Mr. Umar Rashid Wani, faculty members, administrative officials, scholars and students were present on the occasion.
CUKashmir Vice Chancellor, said that integrity in governance is especially significant because public officials are custodians of the public good. “They manage resources, make policy decisions, and have the power to impact citizens’ lives directly. Therefore, when officials act with integrity, they reinforce public confidence and demonstrate a commitment to the social contract between government and citizens. On the other hand, a lack of integrity erodes public trust, undermines authority, and breeds resentment among citizens, weakening the societal fabric.”
In his address, Mr. Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba, said that for a country to thrive, its officials—who are entrusted with power and responsibility—must exhibit the highest standards of integrity. “Without integrity in public office, trust erodes, governance weakens, and the foundation of a nation’s prosperity is compromised,” he added. He further said that International organizations, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, assess a nation’s governance before offering any financial assistance.
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, said that upholding integrity requires courage, especially in environments where corruption may be normalized, but officials who stand by their ethical values contribute significantly to national prosperity. “Media plays a crucial role in educating the public about their rights and the responsibilities of public officials. When citizens are informed and active, they can hold their leaders accountable and demand transparency.”
Addressing the participants, Dean School of Languages, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, highlighted the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in safeguarding institutional integrity. She said transparency, accountability, and ethical values are cornerstones for national growth and institutional integrity.
In their speech, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Mir, and Mr. Umar Rashid Wani, said, the judiciary and independent anti-corruption agencies play a pivotal role in enforcing integrity among public officials. “Judiciary and independent bodies are essential for holding officials accountable.”
The programme concluded with a pledge, wherein the participants committed to adhering to ethical practices, promoting transparency, and standing against corruption in every form.
Zero tolerance policy for corruption: Dean IUST
Prof A H Moon, Dean Academic Affairs, Islamic University of Science and Technology administered the integrity pledge today to mark the beginning of Vigilance Awareness Week at IUST. The pledge taking was attended by all the officers including Prof A. Wahid, Registrar; Mr Sameer Wazir, Finance Officer; Dr Ruman Bashir, CoE, Deans of schools, HoDs, Principals of Colleges and others.
Prof Moon stressed on the importance of accountability and transparency in organizations. He said that IUST has a zero tolerance policy for corruption and thanked all stakeholders for their contribution in this regard.
IUST is organizing a series of events to spread awareness against corruption, particularly focusing on young students who are the torchbearers of the future, which includes awareness about legal provisions, reporting mechanisms, and knowing their rights among others. DVO IUST coordinated the programme.
