President Solih calls on youth to find joy through public service

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that the progress and development of Maldives can be credited to the dedicated and valuable service of long-serving state officials.

The President further urged the youth of today to consider serving the state as a source of happiness and fulfillment, encouraging them to actively participate in the nation's growth and prosperity.

During the official ceremony to confer the National Award for Public Service, the President commended the recipients, acknowledging their pivotal role in the development of the Maldives. He emphasized the challenges they faced, highlighting that these officials served the state during a time when digital services were nonexistent, carrying a significant burden that the youth of today may find hard to envision.

The President said that the recipients of the National Award deserve special recognition due to their unwavering commitment and sincere dedication in meticulously fulfilling their daily duties while serving the state. The President also acknowledged that their efforts were particularly commendable as they carried out their responsibilities in an era with vastly different work methods compared to the present day.

"The youth should take inspiration from the examples set by these long-serving state officials. The current stage of development the Maldives has achieved is a result of their sacrifice and diligent approach in fulfilling their responsibilities concerning the operations of the State," President Solih said.

In an effort to encourage the youth to serve the nation, the President highlighted that a significant number of young individuals are currently employed by the government.

The National Award for Public Service, established in 2021, was designed to acknowledge individuals who have dedicated over 35 years of service to the nation and have made significant contributions to the development of their respective fields. Over the past two years, a total of 309 individuals have received this prestigious award, and today, an additional 148 individuals were honored with the same recognition.

As of today, the total number of recipients of the National Award for Public Service stands at 457.