He was addressing a panel discussion titled, “Public Service: Its Joys and Challenges", organised by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Bashundhara.   

The seminar held on Saturday brought together representatives from government, civil society, academia and the private sector, and discussed the importance of public service on the life and development of the nation, and the challenges and opportunities of that role. 

Dilshad Dossani, Chairperson of the Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh)’s National Committee, said the Aga Khan Foundation has an interest in the notion of public service as defined in its broadest sense of ‘a service rendered in the public interest for the benefit of others.

Dossani stated that this definition is not limited to those who work in government services, but encompasses all individuals, civil society and organisations that work for the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.

M Syeduzzaman, former finance minister, recounted his personal journey as a public servant in his keynote address.  

“Everything a public servant should be Syeduzzaman has been,” said Dr Gowher Rizvi.

Former caretaker government adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman was also present. 

The panel agreed that within public service broadly defined, the concept of ‘public ethics’ -- or the notion of trying to do something better for society and to create a more humane world -- is important and needs to be revived and strengthened. 

The panelists also agreed that the quality of institutions that groom public servants, including the education system as a whole, play a critical role and can bring in all the available wisdom within society to help public servants understand their role and motivate them to serve for the betterment of their societies.