NEW DELHI: The history and destiny of a nation is determined by 3 Ps — principles, people and Parliament, Chief Election Commissioner of India, Sushil Chandra said on Saturday.
"The principles and core values were set out very clearly in the Constitution of India. Being a representative democracy, it is the will of her people, which is sovereign and most powerful. The Parliament is the repository of the Trust of people and an expression of this sovereign will," Chandra said at an event where 'Sansad Ratna Awards 2022' were presented to Parliamentarians.
"This casts a heavy responsibility on the Members of Parliament. It is a sacred trust, which, in the words of India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad ji, has to be approached with humility and prayer," he said at the event organised by Prime Point Foundation, Chennai, here.
Chandra also elaborated on the Parliament and the welfare of people and the importance of good legislature. The classical functions of a good legislature, the CEC said, are being inclusive; to engage and be responsive and raise matters of public importance in Parliament.
He also went on to describe roles of Standing Committees in the Parliamentary democracy and then, narrated the efforts made by the election Commission for improving voter participation and how "despite the pandemic, when other countries cancelled elections, the Election Commission of India conducted state assembly polls with all due procedures and protocols followed."
The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Dr M. Veerappa Moily (Congress) and Dr H.V. Hande (BJP).
A committee headed by Arjun Ram Meghwal, MoS, parliamentary Affairs, and co-chaired by T.S. Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India had nominated the MPs for Sansad Ratna Awards 2022 for their performance in the current Parliament till the end of the winter session in 2021. (IANS)
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