Strengthen democracy, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tells the world

MID-YEAR CPA EXECUTIVE MEET UNDERWAY

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today appealed to the world to come together and strengthen democracy in line with the Indian maxim 'the world is one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)'.

Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said this in his inaugural speech at the two-day. Mid-year Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) executive committee meeting began at the Assam Legislative Assembly.

Founded in 1911 as the empire parliamentary association, the CPA has 53 Commonwealth of Nations as its members.

Speaker Birla said, "India is a strong votary of democracy and democratic values. Indian democracy is mature and vibrant. Democracy is in our thoughts and actions, and it has become a way of life in sync with the maxim 'unity in diversity.

On Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, the Speaker said that during the 75 years of India's Independence, Indian democracy consistently gained from strength to strength.

The Speaker said, "Our perseverance and success in conducting elections to 800 parliamentary seats, nearly 4500 assembly seats and 2.75 lakh panchayats testify that Indian democracy is functional, progressive and successful. The people of India believe in a democracy which is why the voters' turnout is up in every election. The nation elects all people's representatives through direct voting. Strong democratic institutions are blessings for the people of the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a prosperous and developed country."

Speaker Birla observed that the democratic institutions of the Commonwealth countries are capable of withstanding any challenge. He said that the world should resolve international issues through mutual dialogue and diplomacy. "India takes the whole world as a family. Come and make democracy stronger," he said.

On climate change, Speaker Birla emphasized India's commitment to achieving the targets approved under COP26. He mentioned initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and expressed confidence about achieving the targets under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the day a red-letter day for Assam. For the first time, India is hosting f the Mid-Year Executive Committee Meeting of the CPA. "In the democratic setup of our country, Assam Legislative Assembly is one of the oldest in the nation established on April 7, 1937, second only to Uttar Pradesh Assembly," he said.

Remembering Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi, the Chief Minister said that during the last eight decades, Assam Legislative Assembly had witnessed many historic debates with several towering personalities adorning this temple of democracy. He said that the Assam Legislative Assembly played a pioneering role in shaping the socio-cultural and academic edifice while giving a push to Assam's development narrative. The Assembly has passed many historic bills leading to unprecedented changes in people's lives, highlighted the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister displayed a mosaic of cultural, economic, mineral, wildlife and greenery and the Brahmaputra before the august gathering.

Acting CPA Chairperson Ian Liddell-Grainger, the UK enumerated several path-breaking initiatives of the CPA. He hoped that the deliberations of the mid-year Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee in Guwahati would go a long way in shaping strategies for global issues.

Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Union ministers, Members of Parliament, Assam ministers, MLAs, 53 delegates from the Commonwealth countries and others attended the meeting.

Speaker Birla arrived in Guwahati on Friday on a five-day visit to the state. He will also inaugurate the two-day 8th CPA India region conference on April 11, 2022. Speakers, deputy speakers, MPs and MLAs of all other states will attend the conference.

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