HP Governor Kavinder Gupta highlights crucial role of Civil Society in Nation-Building

• Says True Leadership Means Serving the Last Person in Society
• Addresses Rotary Club Leadership Learning Seminar in Jammu
•  Echoes PM Modi’s call for fuel conservation, urges citizens to adopt Fuel-Saving Practices

Jammu, May 17: The Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Sh. Kavinder Gupta on Saturday said that effective leadership is not merely about holding a position but about carrying people along, understanding the needs of society and becoming an instrument of positive change.

Addressing the Club Leadership Learning Seminar organised by Rotary District 3070 in Jammu, the Governor expressed satisfaction at the participation of representatives from Jammu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, observing that such turnout reflects a deep commitment to service, leadership and social dedication.

Commending Rotary International’s guiding principle of ‘Service Above Self’, Governor Gupta described Rotary not merely as an organisation but as a global movement devoted to humanitarian service. He lauded Rotary’s contributions across education, healthcare, environmental protection, water conservation, women empowerment, disaster relief and social development as truly inspirational.

Invoking Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, the Governor underlined the critical role of social organisations and voluntary institutions in achieving this national goal. “Organisations like Rotary serve as a strong bridge between society and administration,” he said, adding that meaningful and widespread change becomes possible only when government and society work together in tandem.

Flagging pressing social challenges confronting the country — including drug abuse, environmental imbalance, mental stress, inadequate health awareness and growing social disconnect among youth — Governor Gupta stressed that government efforts alone are insufficient to address these issues and that active societal participation is equally essential.

In a direct appeal to the younger generation, the Governor asserted that leadership means not just personal success but responsibility towards society. He called upon youth to channelise their energy, talent and capacity for innovation in the service of nation-building.

Citing blood donation camps, health check-up drives, cleanliness campaigns, educational support, plantation drives and disaster relief work being carried out by Rotary Clubs as outstanding examples of positive social transformation, Governor Gupta said that true leadership lies in striving to ensure that help reaches the last person in society.

Taking the occasion as an opportunity to echo Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s recent call to the nation, Governor Kavinder Gupta made a fervent appeal to the citizens to consciously adopt fuel-saving practices in their daily lives. He urged people to use public transport wherever possible, avoid unnecessary use of private vehicles, switch off engines at traffic signals and embrace carpooling as a habit.

The Governor stressed that saving fuel is not merely an economic necessity but a national duty and a direct contribution to reducing the country’s import burden and carbon footprint. He called upon Rotary Clubs across the region to actively spread awareness about fuel conservation as part of their community service initiatives, adding that small individual actions, when multiplied across millions of households, can bring about a transformative impact on the nation’s energy security.

“When the Prime Minister calls upon the nation, it is the responsibility of every citizen to respond with action,” he said, underlining that collective effort and civic consciousness are the hallmarks of a truly developed and responsible society.

The Governor once again congratulated Rotary Club Jammu Tawi and Rotary District 3070 for organising the seminar and extended his best wishes to all participants for a bright future and continued social service.

Prominent among those present included District Governor Rtn. Rohit Oberoi, District Governor Elect Rtn. Anil Singhal, Past District Governor Rtn. Avinash Mahendru, Special Guest Past Rotary International Director Rtn. A.S. Venkatesh, Guest of Honour Past District Governor Rtn. Shashank Rastogi and Seminar Coordinator Rtn. Ashish Langer.