Rabindra Nath Tagore – UPSC Ethics Thinkers

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” – Tagore.

What do you understand by the statement and how do you relate this statement in public administration? Discuss. (200 Words)
The essence of statement is that: Life is all about lifelong learning process toward serving humanity as final realisation. This is true and proved apt by various philosophers, humanist and activists who served mankind.
It describes that, during our lifetime we initially dream for success, joy, wealth, love, sex and materialistic things first and assume that this are the gateways to joyous life, but slowly as we progress in life we face challenges, know people and become considerate about other‘s suffering/problem. We wake up mentally then as a learned, mature and aware person. As a matured person we take the act of service more openly and clearly than rather supporting in passively. And then comes the point when we consider ourselves a better part of society and enjoy the path of service. This is followed by our active taking part in serving the mankind and society.
Public administration is also a kind service toward mankind where our thinking process evolves with time. Initially we feel ourselves as a passive provider of service to society and find joy in administering people rather than serving actually. But slowly we realise that we are medium between government and society to deliver service and it‘s our duty to serve society and hence find purpose of life and job. This is followed by self-realisation  that joy is not on administering society but to serve it because Public administration is all about administering public authority to serve public. Hence, service is always more important and core part as compared to administration.

 

 

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