Gopi Arora will continue to inspire public servants in the time to come, says PM

PRIME Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has condoled the passing away of former civil servant Gopi Arora and said he would continue to inspire public servants in the time to come. In a condolence message to his wife, Dr Singh said: “It is with great sadness and a sense of personal loss that I learnt of the passing away of your husband Shri Gopi Arora. Gopi was an exceptionally brilliant civil servant who served the country with great distinction. In his long and distinguished public career, he held many important positions and excelled in each one of them. Gopi’s powerful intellect was matched in equal measure by kindness and generosity of spirit. Ever helpful, he will be remembered with deep affection and respect by all those whose lives he touched. His career will continue to inspire public servants in the time to come. I extend my deepest condolences to you and other near and dear ones of Gopi in this difficult time. May God give you the strength to bear with your loss. I pray for peace of the departed soul." Though most politicians want bureaucrats to be behind-the-curtain actors, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who himself began his career as bureaucrat (he was DEA secretary) gives due recognition to civil servants quite publicly. (Picture: Dr Singh going round an exhibition at the inaugural session of the 3rd Civil Services Day, in New Delhi on April 21, 2008)

Railway recruitment: Exam could now be in local language Railway minister Mamata Banerjee has sacked chairmen of all 20 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) across the country who were appointed during Lalu Prasad's time. A senior railway official is appointed in the post of RRB chairman for a three years' period. Whereas conducting railway recruitment exams in Urdu was already announced, some media reports suggested quoting unnamed sources that the recruitment was likely to be held in other local languages too to make it easier for local youth geting jobs. Currently, railway examinations are conducted only in English and Hindi.