OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena inaugurated the new office building of ‘Centre for Good Governance, Odisha’ (CGGO) at Gopabandhu Academy of Administration (GAA) Bhubaneswar, in the presence of Raj Kumar Sharma, Director General of GAA.
The Chief Secretary then released the newsletter of the Academy, two books on compilation of Book Reviews; and Similipal Tiger Reserve – Impressions of study visit of OAS Probationers. These publications were prepared by CGGO.
The CGGO, formerly known as the CoE on the subject, has been functioning in GAA as a hub of evidence-based location specific research and documentation. CGGO has now been made as a permanent vertical of Gopabandhu Academy of Administration.
A manual for institutional induction training of OAS officer trainees prepared by Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) was also released during the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary appreciated the content of the newsletter and the books produced by the centre. While, talking about the high standard coffee table book on Similipal, he suggested that the probationers should get a wide exposure on Climate Change and bio-diversity. He further suggested the CGGO leadership to undertake research and documentation work of various departments and to give feedbacks for augmenting the quality of governance in the state.
The Chief Secretary appreciated the leadership of Gopabandhu Academy of Administration for taking up innovative initiatives like mentorship programme, exposure visits, module-based training, grand inaugural ceremony at Kalinga Stadium, befitting organisation of Dikshant Samaroh and provisioning blazers with GAA monogram to probationers. “The academy has also demonstrated its capacity in creation of staff positions, collaborations with agencies of national and international repute and extension of infrastructure like two executive hostels with better facilities in GAA”, he added.
During his presidential address, Raj Kumar Sharma, DG GAA, expressed his intention and interest to impart young recruits with right attitude, skills, sensitivities, values and ethics, knowledge and technology awareness along with leadership quality and teamwork mindset. He reiterated his concern for young and budding administrators to build confidence on self, and care for others. He congratulated Dr. Shashank Grahacharjya, Director of CGGO and the team for their hard work and committed efforts in bringing out such quality knowledge products.
The DG further thanked Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) and its Dean Prof KVD Prakash for preparing the manual for institutional induction training of OAS Officer Trainees in collaboration with GAA officials.
“GAA had sent the OAS probationers on field visit to Similipal biosphere to better understand the issues like forest fire, forest management and conservation of bio-diversity. The concept of documenting and disseminating the observations of Odisha’s young administrators through ‘Similipal Tiger Reserve’, coffee table book, is an attempt towards the same”, Mr Sharma mentioned.
He also referred about the singing up of MoUs recently with Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi, CUTM in Bhubaneswar, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Chandigarh by GAA. Mr Sharma, who played pivotal role in establishing the CGGO, contemplated that the Centre will continue to contribute in knowledge management on transformative changes and good governance in the state.
Dr PK Mishra, Deputy Director General, GAA delivered the welcome address and Dr HB Panda, Additional Commissioner offered vote of thanks. Mrs. Aradhana Das, Additional Director, and Dr. Mamatarani Naik, Joint Director, Staff of the Academy along with the Director CGGO and team were present on the occasion.