Porvorim: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said India’s democratic strength and institutional stability have enhanced the country’s standing globally, asserting that the world today listens to India’s voice on global challenges.
Addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of the Goa Legislative Assembly complex building here, Birla said India’s democracy has grown stronger since Independence because its institutions have accommodated diverse views and opinions in the process of policymaking and lawmaking.
“Today, the world listens to India’s voice. There has been a significant change in the perception of India,” Birla said, attributing the country’s growing global influence to its faith in democracy and constitutional institutions.
He said India’s democratic experience was particularly significant given the country’s vast diversity, with different opinions, perspectives and aspirations finding space in its institutions.
“Despite having so much diversity, so many opinions and so many views, we have strengthened democracy after Independence. Our institutions have functioned through an institutionalised process since the Constitution was framed,” he said.
Birla said India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, was working towards finding solutions to global challenges and taking forward the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).
“Whenever there have been disasters or difficulties in the country, Indians have worked together. Whenever disasters have occurred anywhere in the world, India and its people have come forward and worked at the forefront,” he said.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also highlighted Goa’s development journey, saying the state had successfully balanced economic growth with the need to protect its natural environment and heritage.
He said Goa had created a distinct identity in tourism, industry and education while maintaining the quality of life of its people.
“Even today, Goa faces the challenge of preserving its heritage and natural environment while moving towards the economic development that the country is witnessing,” Birla said.
Birla praised the Goa Legislative Assembly for maintaining the dignity of the House and providing a platform for discussion, dialogue and debate based on facts and arguments.
He said democracy could become stronger only when there was space for both agreement and disagreement and when the aspirations of ordinary citizens were reflected in the functioning of legislative institutions.
“The Assembly is the platform where the aspirations and opinions of the entire state come before you. If the government works in a positive direction based on the views and aspirations of all, Goa can move rapidly towards development,” he said.
Birla also noted that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had earlier served as Speaker of the Goa Assembly and said Sawant understood the role of the legislature in strengthening democracy.
He lauded Goa for being an inclusive state, noting that people from different parts of the country come to the coastal state in search of employment.
“Goa is a state that takes everyone along,” Birla said.
Goa Governor P Ashok Ganapathi Raju, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Assembly Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar were among those present at the event.
