Empathy — Mains Questions

"Empathy is not a luxury in civil services; it is a core professional competency that determines the effectiveness of governance." Analyze this statement with reference to specific administrative contexts and explain how empathy can be developed and sustained in public servants.

A health worker in a rural area notices that mothers are not bringing children for vaccination despite free services. Rather than assuming mothers are ignorant, she empathizes with their concerns. She discovers that mothers fear vaccine side effects, distrust non-tribal medical staff, and prefer traditional birth attendants. How should the health worker respond empathetically to increase vaccination rates while respecting community values?

Discuss the relationship between empathy and justice in civil service administration. Can an administrator be empathetic while maintaining fairness and impartiality?