On December 16, 2024, Dr. Lokesh M, the CEO of the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida), took a bold and unprecedented step in response to a troubling incident involving an elderly couple. Dr. Lokesh M decided to punish 16 officials by making them stand for 30 minutes after the staff left the couple unattended for over 50 minutes in the residential plot department. This move aimed to teach the officials a vital lesson in empathy and public service.
The elderly couple had visited the Noida Authority office hoping to get their case resolved. However, they were met with indifference. As time passed, they were left waiting, and no one attended to them. Despite being in the office for over 50 minutes, the couple did not receive any help or communication from the officials about the status of their request.
Dr. Lokesh M. Punishes Officials for Ignoring the Elderly
Dr. Lokesh M was reviewing CCTV footage when he noticed the elderly couple standing without assistance. Initially, after 15-20 minutes, he instructed the officials to help the couple, explain the situation, and inform them if their request could not be fulfilled. However, after almost an hour, the couple was still standing, unattended. This inaction led Dr. Lokesh M to take immediate action.
Dr. Lokesh M punishes officials as a way to emphasize the importance of empathy in government service. He believed that the lack of attention to the elderly couple was unacceptable and that the officials needed to understand the difficulties citizens face, especially the elderly, when navigating government offices. To ensure his point was clear, he ordered the 16 officials to stand for 30 minutes, saying, “Only when you work while standing will you understand the difficulties faced by the elderly.”
A Lesson in Empathy
The decision to make the employees stand for 30 minutes was not an act of cruelty but rather a lesson in empathy and accountability. Dr. Lokesh M punishes officials to ensure his staff feels, even for a brief moment, the discomfort that the elderly couple experienced while waiting for assistance. Standing for an extended period can be physically tiring, and by making the staff endure it, he hoped they would gain a better understanding of how the elderly feel when ignored by public service officials.
The CEO emphasized that public service goes beyond completing tasks efficiently. It is about offering assistance with care and attention, especially to those who are more vulnerable, like the elderly. Dr. Lokesh M punishes officials to instill empathy in them and remind them that their role is to serve the public with respect and urgency.
Empathy and Accountability in Government Service
Dr. Lokesh M’s actions underscore a larger issue in government service—accountability and empathy. In many government offices, employees often become complacent, failing to treat citizens with the respect and care they deserve. By making the employees stand, Dr. Lokesh M was not only addressing the specific incident but also aiming to shift the overall culture within the Noida Authority’s residential plot department.
Dr. Lokesh M designed the punishment to hold the officials accountable for their actions. Government employees, especially those in positions of service, must always be attentive and responsive to the needs of the public. The IAS officer’s decision to impose a direct consequence highlighted that employees must consider the challenges that citizens face when seeking assistance, particularly the elderly who may require more patience and understanding.
A Turning Point in Public Service
Following the incident, many of the officials expressed regret for their actions and admitted that they had not fully understood the impact of their behavior on the elderly couple. They acknowledged that standing for an extended period could be physically exhausting and emotionally taxing, especially for the elderly. Dr. Lokesh M’s punishment served as a wake-up call, reminding the officials of the importance of their role in helping citizens efficiently and with empathy.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for change in government offices, where employees sometimes neglect their duties or fail to prioritize public service. It also serves as a reminder that empathy should be at the core of government work, and officials must always consider how their actions or inactions affect the people they serve.
Conclusion
On December 16, 2024, Dr. Lokesh M, the CEO of the Noida Authority, made it clear that empathy and accountability should be central to government service. By punishing 16 officials for neglecting an elderly couple, he took a firm stance against the indifference that often exists in bureaucratic systems. His decision to make the officials stand for 30 minutes was a powerful lesson in understanding the difficulties faced by citizens, particularly the elderly, in government offices.
Dr. Lokesh M punishes officials to ensure that public servants never forget the human element of their work. Government service is not just about completing paperwork; it’s about treating every citizen with dignity and respect. This incident serves as a valuable reminder for all public employees about the importance of empathy, attentiveness, and accountability in their roles. Read detailed information.
