President Urges Probationary Officers to Embrace Technology, Sustainability, and National Priorities

President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, addressed probationers from the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES), Military Engineer Services (MES), and Central Water Engineering Service (CWES) at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, highlighting the critical responsibilities these officers will shoulder in shaping a sustainable, technologically advanced, and self-reliant India.

Emphasizing Technological Integration in Defence Estates

In her address to the Indian Defence Estates Service probationers, the President emphasized that digital transformation is no longer an option but an imperative. She encouraged the officers to actively embrace tools such as Artificial Intelligence, drone-based land surveys, satellite imagery, and blockchain to manage property records efficiently and transparently.

“These technologies are not futuristic dreams—they are the present reality of governance,” the President stated, underlining how their application can improve the management of cantonment areas, optimize land use, and increase accountability in public service.

She also advocated for sustainable practices in the development and maintenance of infrastructure in defence estates. Officers were urged to incorporate renewable energy solutions, reduce material and energy wastage, and adopt water conservation techniques, particularly in managing services in the cantonments.

MES Officers Advised to Build with Responsibility

Addressing officers from the Military Engineer Services, President Murmu highlighted the strategic role MES plays in constructing the nation’s military infrastructure. She acknowledged their dual responsibility: to build strong defence facilities and to do so in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.

“Build not just with strength, but with responsibility,” she advised, calling for increased use of solar energy, energy-efficient materials, and green architecture to reduce the carbon footprint of military facilities.

The President also lauded MES’s commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), recognizing the department’s efforts in promoting the ‘Make in India’ initiative by sourcing indigenous materials and technologies for construction. These steps, she noted, not only align with national goals but also enhance strategic independence and resilience.

Central Water Engineering Service: Pillars of Water Security

In her address to the Central Water Engineering Service probationers, President Murmu spotlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change on India’s water resources. She emphasized the importance of CWES in ensuring water security, a fundamental component of both public health and agricultural productivity.

“Sustainable development and equitable distribution of water resources are essential in combating natural and man-made water crises,” she said, urging the officers to deploy innovative engineering solutions for the construction and management of water infrastructure like dams, irrigation systems, and urban water supply systems.

She also emphasized the role of CWES in leading community-level water conservation initiatives, integrating rainwater harvesting, and ensuring equitable access to clean water, which are key to building a resilient and inclusive future for all Indians.

A Call to Visionary Leadership

President Murmu’s message to the probationers was one of hope and high expectation. She reminded them that as future leaders in their respective services, they will play a pivotal role in implementing national priorities—technological modernization, sustainability, and self-reliance.

“Governance in the 21st century is not just about administration. It is about being agents of transformation,” she said, inspiring the new officers to lead with integrity, innovation, and inclusivity in their public service journey.