I am humbly and deeply grateful to you for selecting me as the
1963 award for Government Service. It is indeed a signal honor for me to be associated
with the name and tradition of the late Ramon Magsaysay who combined in himself the
qualities of statesman and administrator. It is a combination which is rare but most
needed in the newly liberated countries, much troubled as they are by conflict and
alienation between the common people and their rulers. A tragic fate removed this great
leader too soon and we lost a bright example of what could be accomplished by imaginative
and sincere government.
The established government is all important in ex-colonial countries. Power and talent is
concentrated there, and development depends so largely upon administration. I have arrived
at this conclusion not simply by being an official. On the contrary, as a young man, after
six years in the Indian Civil Service, feeling a strong antipathy I disassociated myself
from bureaucracy. Renouncing official responsibility, I spent many happy years as a worker
and teacher. But as I grew older I realized that government is the foundation of common
welfare. Therefore, in 1958 I returned to serve at the Academy for Rural Development in
Comilla.
Here for the last four years we have addressed ourselves to the study of two fundamental
problems; how can the village economy be modernized, and what should be the new pattern of
rural administration. In the small, but typical, 100 square mile area of Comilla Thana, we
are trying to discover the nature of reorganization that must take place in the village,
and the shape of institutions which can inspire and support a social and economic
reformation. Simultaneously we are trying to evolve a system of rural administration based
on partnership between the people's representatives and the departmental officers—a
system which could serve as a strong instrument of development.
No one has benefited more from the work at the Academy than myself. In all respects it is
for me a rewarding experience. As a student of public administration I can acquire fresh
knowledge. As director I always receive very generous support from our government and
officers. The response from the villagers is equally encouraging. Besides I have many
dedicated colleagues, and the Ford Foundation and Michigan State University fortify us
with help and advice.
And now, members of the Board of Trustees, by this award you have not only honored me, you
have assigned an international significance to the work in which I am so happily engaged.
I thank you again for the honor, and I also thank you for the substantial sum of money you
are giving to me. It would relieve me of anxiety I had lately felt for the education of my
children. As I was foolish enough to renounce worldly wealth without renouncing family
life, I have, at the age of 49, a seven year old son and very little savings. Your bounty
has put an end to my only worry.
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The 1995 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service
