At the 18th Civil Services Day event in New Delhi, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan emphasized the foundational values established by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for civil servants. He outlined three key tenets: maintaining a distance from politics, avoiding communal entanglements, and the duty to provide frank and fearless advice to the executive. Somanathan quoted Patel's 1947 address, stressing that any deviation from these principles could undermine the dignity of public services. He also referenced Patel's remarks from 1949 to highlight the importance of bureaucratic independence, asserting that civil servants should not merely execute orders but should be able to express their views candidly. Somanathan acknowledged that while individual officers may falter, the core ethos of a politically neutral civil service remains vital for India's unity and democratic framework. He concluded by linking these principles to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a developed India by 2047.