Development Administration emerged as a distinct field of study and practice in the mid-20th century, particularly in the context of newly independent developing countries. It signifies a shift from the traditional 'law and order' administration to a more proactive, change-oriented, and goal-driven approach focused on socio-economic development. The statement accurately reflects how developing countries, facing unique challenges and aspirations, adopted a broad spectrum of new functions to achieve their development goals.

Initially, traditional public administration models, often inherited from colonial powers, were ill-equipped to handle the complex demands of nation-building, poverty alleviation, and economic growth. Developing countries, therefore, had to 'embrace' and institutionalize a range of functions that went beyond mere maintenance of public order:

1. Economic Planning and Management: Governments took on central roles in formulating national development plans (e.g., five-year plans), managing public sector enterprises, and directing economic growth through industrialization, agricultural reforms, and trade policies.
2. Social Sector Development: Significant emphasis was placed on expanding access to basic services like education, healthcare, sanitation, and housing. This required establishing new institutions, training personnel, and implementing large-scale social programs.
3. Infrastructure Development: Building critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, power grids, and communication networks became a primary function to support economic activity and improve living standards.
4. Resource Mobilization and Allocation: Governments became central to mobilizing domestic savings, attracting foreign aid and investment, and efficiently allocating these resources to priority development projects.
5. Institution Building: Creating and strengthening administrative structures, public corporations, development banks, research institutions, and local governance bodies was crucial for effective policy implementation and service delivery.
6. Human Resource Development: Investing in education, skill development, and capacity building for public servants and the general populace was recognized as vital for sustainable development.
7. Social Change and Mobilization: Development administration often involved efforts to address social inequalities, promote community participation, empower marginalized groups, and foster a sense of national identity and collective purpose.
8. Environmental Management: With growing awareness, functions related to sustainable resource management, pollution control, and climate change adaptation have also been integrated into development administration.

In essence, Development Administration in developing countries moved beyond regulatory and extractive roles to become a transformative force. It involved a conscious and deliberate effort by the state to initiate, guide, and manage socio-economic change, requiring a flexible, adaptive, and results-oriented administrative machinery capable of handling complex, multi-sectoral challenges. This embrace of new functions reflected the urgent need to overcome underdevelopment and achieve national aspirations for progress and prosperity.