Addressing the graduating students, the new batch, faculty members, mentors and parents, Sinha said leadership was about understanding people, creating new paths for them and serving them with humility and honesty. ADVERTISEMENTHe outlined four essential principles of democratic leadership, saying honesty and transparency form the foundation of trust, knowledge and wisdom guide decision-making, sensitivity helps maintain balance in democracy, and public service remains the highest duty of leadership. “The strength of democracy lies in Constitutional values, institutions and in those leaders who are committed to the values of honesty, humility, and public service,” he said. Without ethical leadership, even strong institutions could weaken over time, while honest and accountable leadership could turn ordinary institutions into engines of change and nation-building, he said. Sinha also stressed the importance of dialogue, consensus and inclusion in strengthening public trust in democracy.