From interactive games and online messages to a heritage walk through Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) used a range of activities to raise awareness of integrity and transparency among its employees and the public during Vigilance Awareness Week.
The week-long observance, held from October 26 to November 2 under the theme “Probity for Prosperity”, included workshops, competitions and public outreach initiatives. The authority said the activities were designed to make vigilance principles easier to understand and encourage ethical conduct in public service.
To take the message beyond conventional lectures and official meetings, the DDA used educational games such as Snakes and Ladders to explain vigilance-related guidelines. The DDA also communicated principles of moral conduct and integrity through the teachings of Sant Kabir and Rahim. The authority organised interactive activities to explain the four pillars of vigilance. The authority also reached out to visitors at its public dealing departments, the NSK facility and the reception area at its headquarters. Posters, stickers, banners, notices and pledge pamphlets were displayed and distributed. Digital messages, including links to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) website and pop-up notifications on webpages, helped widen the campaign’s reach.
The observance began with an integrity pledge administered by DDA Vice-Chairman N. Saravana Kumar. Officers and employees reaffirmed their commitment to ethical conduct in public service. A half-day workshop was also organised, along with debate, essay-writing and poster-making competitions in Hindi and English. DDA employees and their family members took part in the contests.
A special awareness programme was held at Mehrauli Archaeological Park on October 31. Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Vashista, Saravana Kumar, senior DDA officials, 13 Chief Vigilance Officers from various organisations in Delhi, and representatives of other Government departments attended.
In his address, Vashista stressed the need for preventive vigilance to improve governance and strengthen institutional accountability. Referring to the ideals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose birth anniversary falls on October 31, he urged officials to maintain high standards of integrity and discipline in their professional and personal lives.
Saravana Kumar said the DDA’s responsibilities extend beyond housing and urban development to include protecting Delhi’s historical and cultural heritage and promoting environmental sustainability. He referred to the authority’s work on restoring monuments and expanding green cover through plantation drives. He also highlighted technology-based measures to improve transparency, including the Vigilance Department’s online complaint management system.
Before the programme, participants walked through parts of the archaeological park, visiting the Jamali Kamali Complex, Quli Khan’s Tomb and Metcalfe’s Boathouse. The walk ended at the Interpretation Centre, where they viewed conservation work undertaken by the DDA. The closing ceremony was held at Vikas Sadan on November 2. Finance Member Praveen Siddharth and senior officials distributed prizes to winners of the competitions held during the week.