'Rashtra Pratham': VP Radhakrishnan Advises New Forest Officers To Serve Nation's Ecological Future

Uttarakhand: Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan recently addressed the Indian Forest Service probationers of the 2025–2027 batch and Royal Bhutan Forest Service officers at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun. He commended the officer trainees for the critical role they will play in managing India’s forests, wildlife, biodiversity, and natural resources in the decades leading up to Viksit Bharat @2047.

The Vice President stressed that the Indian Forest Service plays an integral part in safeguarding the nation’s ecological security and attaining the objective of net-zero emissions by 2070. He highlighted that development and conservation are not mutually exclusive and can coexist harmoniously, urging the officers to strike a balanced approach between conservation, development, ecological security, and livelihoods, while considering the needs of present and future generations.

Radhakrishnan called for team excellence over individual achievements, emphasizing that sustained collective effort is vital for shaping nations and institutions. The Vice President underscored the importance of respecting traditional knowledge accumulated by communities living in harmony with forests and natural ecosystems for generations.

He stressed the need for integrity in public service, stating that “integrity is non-negotiable” and that decisions should be guided by the Constitution, law, science, and the larger public interest. Radhakrishnan also encouraged the use of modern technology, such as remote sensing, GIS, drones, AI, and data-driven systems, alongside field experience, sound judgment, and sensitivity towards people.

He noted that modern scientific forestry must complement India’s civilizational wisdom to shape the country’s sustainable future. The Vice President highlighted the increasing participation of women in the forest services, noting that they constitute approximately 17% of the current batch, viewing it as a positive transformation and a testament to the growing influence of Nari Shakti.

He advised the officers to measure their careers by the forests they restore, wildlife they protect, the confidence they earn from communities, and the legacy they leave for future generations, urging them to always prioritize the national interest: “Rashtra Pratham” (Nation First). The occasion was attended by Lt. General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), Governor of Uttarakhand; Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand; Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Director of IGNFA; Smt. Ajeeta Longjam, Course Director; and other dignitaries.