New Delhi: On August 13, 2025, the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, organized a unique training programme titled “Compassion in Governance”. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC), aimed to equip public servants with the mindset and skills to combine compassion with efficiency in governance for improved service delivery.
This event marked a milestone in reimagining governance as a more humane and empathetic process, ensuring citizens not only receive timely services but also experience sensitivity in their interactions with government institutions.
Event Overview
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and saw participation from senior EPFO officials, PDUNASS faculty, and representatives from SMGC.
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In-person attendees: 60+ participants
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Virtual attendees: 100+ participants
Key dignitaries included Shri Kumar Rohit, Director of PDUNASS, experts from SMGC, and senior EPFO officers.
The training was inspired by the 17th edition of PDUNASS’s Online Lecture Series – “Re-Imagining Governance Discourse for Excellence (RGDE)”, during which Nobel Peace Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi delivered a keynote address on “Reimagining Compassionate Governance”. On the same occasion, Sh. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, the Central Provident Fund Commissioner of EPFO, urged officers to integrate compassion into their daily duties.
Building on that momentum, PDUNASS launched a pilot training project in partnership with SMGC specifically targeted at probationary officers.
Key Messages from the Event
Shri Kumar Rohit emphasized in his welcome address that:
“The essence of governance lies not only in implementing laws but also in understanding the people we serve. Processes must be guided by compassion to ensure true responsiveness to citizens’ needs.”
This message reinforced the belief that governance must balance efficiency with empathy, ensuring service delivery leaves no citizen feeling alienated.
Training Highlights
The faculty team from SMGC — Ms. Diksha Chopra, Ms. Ishani Sachdeva, Mr. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ms. Jahanara Rabia Raza, and Ms. Ikanshi Khanna — facilitated comprehensive sessions on:
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Sympathy vs. Empathy vs. Compassion – Understanding crucial differences in approach towards public service.
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Mindful Decision-Making – Balancing rules with humane considerations.
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Active Listening – Building trust through attentive communication.
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Conflict Resolution with Compassion – Handling disputes with fairness and understanding.
The methodology included:
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Case study discussions
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Role-play exercises
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Reflective group activities
This interactive learning model encouraged participants to translate theoretical concepts into practical actions for better public service engagement.
Impact and Future Outlook
Initiatives like “Compassion in Governance” represent a shift in administrative culture — promoting emotional intelligence alongside technical ability in public servants.
Given the positive reception to this pilot, it can serve as a model for future training programmes within EPFO and other government departments, thereby fostering a more citizen-centric approach to governance.
Conclusion
The PDUNASS–SMGC collaboration showcases a forward-thinking, human-centric vision for governance. By inculcating compassion as a core value, public institutions can improve trust, responsiveness, and inclusivity in service delivery. This approach supports not only efficiency but also the emotional well-being of society, proving that compassionate governance is not just an ideal — it is an achievable reality.
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Source: PIB
