Srinagar, Jan 15 (JKNS): Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on Thursday inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at the historic precincts of the Constitution Hall, marking a significant moment in strengthening global democratic dialogue.
The three-day Conference has brought together Speakers and Presiding Officers from various countries with the objective of strengthening democratic dialogue and enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Addressing the inaugural session, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla, stated that India, described as the “Mother of Democracy,” is providing global leadership in reinforcing democratic values and parliamentary traditions. He observed that the Conference serves as an effective platform for the exchange of parliamentary best practices.
Shri Birla further noted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and through far-reaching reforms, India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.
Highlighting India’s parliamentary journey, the Speaker said that over more than seven decades, the Parliament of India has strengthened democracy through people-centric policies, welfare-oriented legislation and a robust and impartial electoral system, thereby ensuring the participation of every citizen in the democratic process and deepening public faith in democracy.
He emphasized that through the collective efforts of Parliament and the Government, obsolete and unnecessary laws have been repealed and policies aligned with the aspirations of the people have been formulated, enabling the nation to move forward with determination towards the goal of a self-reliant and developed India.
In his address, Shri Om Birla remarked that while Artificial Intelligence and social media have enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of democratic institutions, their misuse has also given rise to challenges such as misinformation and social polarization. He underscored the need of the hour for ethical AI and responsible use of social media.
He also stated that the use of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence is steadily increasing in India’s Parliament and State Legislatures, adding that the adoption of paperless systems and shared digital platforms has set new benchmarks in transparency, efficiency and accountability.
The Speaker observed that the impartiality of Parliaments and the trust of the people constitute the very soul of democracy.
Expressing gratitude for the record participation at the 28th CSPOC Conference, Shri Om Birla thanked the representatives of all Commonwealth countries and described the Conference as a significant step towards strengthening parliamentary democracy. (JKNS)