Celebrating Good Governance Day- Honouring Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Legacy

Good Governance Day, also known as Sushashan Diwas, is observed annually on December 25 in India. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of accountability in government. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India’s most revered leaders and former Prime Minister.

History and Significance of Good Governance Day

Good Governance Day was officially established in 2014 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On December 23, 2014, Vajpayee was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, by then-President Pranab Mukherjee. Following this, the Narendra Modi-led government declared that Vajpayee’s birth anniversary would be celebrated annually as Good Governance Day. The year 2024 marks his 99th birth anniversary.

Facts about Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, and is fondly remembered as a “man of the masses.” He participated in the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned for 23 days. Throughout his career, Vajpayee earned the distinction of winning six Lok Sabha constituencies from four states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, and Gujarat.

He was a member of Parliament for an astounding 47 years and served as Prime Minister for three terms, from 1996, 1998-1999, and 1999-2004. Vajpayee is celebrated for making India a nuclear power with the successful 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, and he was also the first Indian leader to deliver a speech in Hindi at the United Nations General Assembly.

Despite his high-profile career, Vajpayee remained a humble leader who never married, dedicating his life to the service of the nation. His poetic contributions, including albums released with renowned singer Jagjit Singh, further underscore his multifaceted personality.

Major Contributions of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Under Vajpayee’s leadership, India saw transformative changes, particularly in governance and infrastructure:

• Telecom Reforms: The telecom sector, once monopolized, was liberalized, allowing for the rapid expansion of mobile services.
• Road Development: The Golden Quadrilateral project and the Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak Yojna were launched, laying the foundation for modern infrastructure.
• Education and Healthcare: Initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan were launched to provide free education for children aged 6-14 years.
• Nuclear Power: Vajpayee made India a nuclear weapons state through successful nuclear tests in 1998.
• Privatization: Vajpayee’s government also focused on privatization, including disinvestment in key public sector units.

India’s Initiatives for Promoting Good Governance

India has taken several steps to improve governance, transparency, and accountability, such as:

1. District Good Governance Index (DGGI)

Launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the DGGI assesses the governance performance across various districts. The index provides 58 indicators to measure governance quality in Jammu & Kashmir.

2. Good Governance Index (GGI)

Introduced by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, the GGI evaluates governance in Indian states. This index aims to bring about positive changes by identifying areas for improvement.

3. National e-Governance Plan

This initiative ensures that government services are easily accessible through common service delivery outlets. It also focuses on efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.

4. Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005

The RTI Act is another cornerstone of India’s governance reforms, ensuring greater transparency and accountability by allowing citizens to request information from the government.

Awareness of IT-Based Applications in Governance

The government has prioritized the use of IT-based applications to enhance governance. The Ministry of Finance, for example, launched an e-Book that provides information on various government initiatives, making it easier for citizens to access governance-related services.

The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG)

Founded in 2014, the NCGG plays a pivotal role in shaping good governance across India and other developing countries. The NCGG focuses on capacity building for civil servants, policy reforms, and enhancing governance through research and training.

Areas of Focus for NCGG:

• Education: Enhancing education at the grassroots level.
• Decentralized Planning: Promoting participatory governance models.
• Rural Development: Empowering rural communities through sustainable development.
• Social Accountability: Ensuring transparency and inclusivity in governance.

Capacity Building Programs for Civil Servants

The NCGG also runs capacity-building programs for civil servants. In 2024, the first Capacity Building Programme on Public Policy and Administration was conducted for senior officials from Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. This two-week program focused on e-governance, sustainable development, and public administration, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices.

Challenges to Good Governance in India

Despite the numerous initiatives, India still faces significant challenges in achieving good governance:

• Corruption: Corruption remains a major obstacle in the effective delivery of public services.
• Women’s Empowerment: Gender inequality continues to impede full participation in governance.
• Judicial Delays: Hindrances in the judicial system result in delayed justice.
• Centralization: The centralization of administrative power remains a significant challenge to decentralized governance.

Summary of the Good Governance Day (Sushashan Diwas)

Why in News	Details
Good Governance Day (Sushashan Diwas)	Observed annually on December 25 to raise awareness about government accountability, marking the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
History and Significance	Established in 2014 to commemorate Vajpayee’s birth anniversary, after he was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Birth	Born on December 25, 1924. He was a man of the masses, elected to Parliament for 47 years, and served as Prime Minister in three terms.
Major Contributions	– Telecom Reforms: Liberalization of telecom sector. – Infrastructure: Launched Golden Quadrilateral and PMGSY. – Education: Introduced Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. – Nuclear Power: Conducted successful nuclear tests in 1998. – Privatization: Disinvestments in public sector companies.
Initiatives for Good Governance	– District Good Governance Index (DGGI): Launched in Jammu & Kashmir to measure governance performance. – Good Governance Index (GGI): Measures governance quality in Indian states. – National e-Governance Plan: Ensures accessibility, transparency, and cost-effectiveness of government services. – RTI Act, 2005: Ensures transparency by allowing citizens to request government information.
IT-Based Governance Awareness	Launch of an e-Book by Ministry of Finance to raise awareness about governance initiatives using IT applications.
National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG)	Established in 2014 to improve governance through training, research, and capacity building for civil servants.
Capacity Building for Civil Servants	In 2024, NCGG conducted a program for civil servants from Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region to share best practices on governance.
Challenges to Good Governance	– Corruption: Major hurdle to effective governance. – Women’s Empowerment: Gender inequality limits participation. – Judicial Delays: Delayed justice hampers governance. – Centralization: Centralized administrative powers limit decentralized governance.