Actor Adil Hussain urges empathy in governance through communication

New Delhi: At the 20th session of the Re-imagining Governance: Discourse for Excellence (RGDE) series, celebrated actor and theatre personality Adil Hussain inspired public servants to embrace empathetic, emotionally aware communication as a foundation for effective governance.

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The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS), under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Ministry of Labour and Employment, hosted the event on July 28, 2025. The session was held in hybrid mode, drawing participants from across the country.

Launched on Good Governance Day, December 25, 2023, the RGDE series has become a platform for dialogue across governance, academia, arts, and civil society—encouraging excellence in public administration.

‘Communication must connect, not just inform’

Delivering the keynote address on the theme “Speaking to be understood: From informing to connecting,” Adil Hussain drew from his extensive experience in theatre and cinema to reflect on the power of authentic communication. He emphasized that effective dialogue must be rooted in emotional clarity, intention, and empathy, stating that “communication is an extension of what one feels.”

Quoting Indian scriptures and sharing personal and professional experiences, Hussain stressed that listening with compassion, understanding the “backstory” behind each individual, and practicing gratitude are essential traits for those in public service. “Gratitude defines a person,” he observed, urging public servants to recognize the human element in every interaction.

Leadership presence and event moderation

The event was chaired by Ramesh Krishnamurthi, Central Provident Fund Commissioner, and presided over by Kumar Rohit, Director of PDUNASS. Uttam Prakash, Regional PF Commissioner-I, and Udita Choudhary, Retired Additional Central PF Commissioner, moderated the engaging session.