In the memory of M.L. Mehta, former Chief Secretary of the Rajasthan Government, the prestigious M.L. Mehta Foundation jointly in collaboration with HCMRIPA successfully organised the 11th edition of M.L. Mehta Memorial Oration. The oration was organised at the B.S. Mehta Auditorium.
The event highlighted the “Administrative Style of M.L. Mehta” and brought together prominent personalities, thought leaders, and change makers dedicated to creating a meaningful impact in the lives of underserved communities.
The event was graced by Mr. V. Srinivas, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan along with Prof. Ramesh K. Arora, Chairperson, Management Development Academy, Jaipur.
Prof. Ramesh K. Arora, Chairperson, Management Development Academy, Jaipur, shared , “A person's life isn't measured by years; it's their thoughts, their sensitivity, and their determination to wipe away people's tears that make them immortal. M.L. Mehta lived in this sense—through his dedication, his open-door administrative style, and his unwavering desire to bring a smile to every common man's face. His life teaches us that an administrator becomes great not by position, but by humanity—not by policies, but by inspiration.”
Delivering the presidential observations, Mr. V. Srinivas, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan, shared, ““The policy of maximum governance Minimum government seeks a digitally empowered citizen and a digitally transformed institution. Digital transformation of the Secretariat has become a reality where in more and more paper is processed online. Reducing decision making time and increasing efficiency. Every time you build a strong digital platform, you add artificial intelligence to it. It contributes to radical reforms and transformational governance. So I would advise all the young scholars here to look at technology platforms that can benefit governance.”
Adding to the significance of the occasion, merit-cum-need-based scholarships were presented to Sumedha Scholars, a gesture symbolizing the foundation’s dedication to empowering meritorious students. A total of 13 students received scholarships of ₹10,000 each, while one student was awarded financial assistance of ₹40,000. These recognitions reflect the lasting influence of Shri M. L. Mehta’s values and the Foundation’s continued commitment to nurturing talent and fostering positive change.
Late Shri M.L. Mehta, former Chief Secretary of the Government of Rajasthan, exemplified the qualities of a pro-people civil servant. His illustrious career was distinguished by unwavering integrity, compassion, dedication, and a profound commitment to the upliftment of the poor and marginalized.
In 1977, as Secretary of Policy Planning, Shri Mehta conceptualized and developed the renowned Antyodaya Scheme, which brought the needs of the most disadvantaged to the forefront. This pioneering program gave tangible form to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of poverty eradication, placing the welfare of the poorest at the heart of policymaking.
The event was also graced by Rashmi Mehta, Rakesh Mehta, and Ajay Mehta. Esteemed bureaucrats including Anil Kumar, C S Rajan, Govindaraja Sharma, SPS Shrivastava, Kishan Lal, and Ashok Agarwal from IIHMR were also present.
