Om Birla extends World Parliament Day greetings, says "Parliament is the supreme expression of people's aspirations"
New Delhi, June 30
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday extended greetings on the occasion of the International Day of Parliamentarism, saying Parliament is the supreme expression of the people's aspirations, rights and trust, and plays a vital role in safeguarding democracy and citizens' rights.
In a post on X, Birla highlighted the significance of parliamentary institutions in strengthening democratic values and ensuring accountable governance.
"Heartfelt greetings to all elected representatives on International Day of Parliamentarism and to the world's democratic institutions. Parliament is the supreme expression of the people's aspirations, rights, and trust, where ideas are debated, policies are crafted, and the direction of the nation's future is determined. A strong, independent, and accountable parliament alone serves as the true strength of democracy and the greatest guardian of citizens' rights," Birla said.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said that as the Parliament of India, the world's largest democracy, it has consistently upheld the spirit of the Constitution, democratic traditions and the legacy of people's representation.
"As the parliament of India, the world's largest democracy, it has always powerfully upheld the spirit of the Constitution, democratic traditions, and the glorious legacy of people's representation. In our country, brimming with diversity, Parliament is a platform for national unity, social harmony, and constitutional values, where the voice of every region, every class, and every citizen finds a place," he said.
Birla further emphasised that the role of Parliament extends beyond lawmaking, stating, "In today's era, the role of Parliament is not confined merely to legislative functions; it also bears the vital responsibility of ensuring governmental accountability, encouraging meaningful deliberations on issues of public interest, upholding the dignity of democratic institutions, and establishing a balance between citizens' rights and duties."
Calling the occasion an opportunity for introspection, he said, "International Day of Parliamentarism provides us the opportunity to resolve to further strengthen the soul of democracy--dialogue, consensus, responsibility, transparency, and constitutional decorum."
The International Day of Parliamentarism, also known as World Parliament Day, is observed globally on June 30. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 and spearheaded by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the day marks the anniversary of the IPU's founding in 1889.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Beautiful message. But let's be honest - how many times have we seen Parliament沦为 a shouting match instead of a platform for constructive debate? The Speaker's words sound great on paper, but the reality is different. We need accountability from within first. Still, it's good to have such reminders on this day.
Proud to be part of the world's largest democracy! 🇮🇳 Our Parliament has indeed upheld constitutional values despite challenges. But Birla ji should also address the issue of low attendance and lack of quorum sometimes. Actions speak louder than words, especially on such occasions.
International Day of Parliamentarism - good to see India's leadership in this. But let's not forget that true parliamentary strength comes from opposition voices being heard, not just ruling party narrative. Hope we see more bipartisan cooperation going forward. Jai Hind! 🙏
Speaker's emphasis on 'governmental accountability' is refreshing. Hope this translates into more Question Hour productivity and fewer adjournments. The common citizen wants to see their concerns addressed, not just grand speeches. Still, a positive message overall 👍
This is exactly what we need to hear - Parliament as a platform for national unity and social harmony. In a diverse country like India, that's crucial. But I wish the Speaker had also mentioned women's representation. We need more women in Parliament to truly reflect people's aspirations.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.