Mantris should know how to apologise for mistakes: Rane

Margao: Health minister Vishwajit Rane underscored the importance of humility in public office, saying ministers must be willing to apologise when they make mistakes. Speaking at the inauguration of the administration building of Ponda Municipal Council recently, Rane said respecting others was fundamental to effective leadership.Rane recounted how he transferred a woman from her workplace during the anti-IIT agitation after she criticised him. He said after he realised his action was unjust, he approached her with an apology, seeking her forgiveness with folded hands. He used this as an example to stress that a minister’s willingness to admit mistakes and apologise demonstrates true leadership.“If a minister errs, he should have it in him to apologise with folded hands,” Rane said, adding that ministers must learn to accept criticism in a positive spirit. He also said that being in a ministerial position does not mean one possesses all the answers.Rane also spoke about the need for “grounded leadership.” He referred to what he called divine power that can elevate leaders to positions of authority and also bring them down if they overreach their boundaries.