Guwahati, April 9: Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla inaugurated the mid-year Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Executive Committee Meeting here today.
Speaking on the occasion, Birla reiterated that international issues should be resolved through mutual dialogue and diplomacy given that international peace and stability are essential for global prosperity.
Referring to climate change, Birla emphasized India’s commitment towards 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.
The Lok Sabha Speaker further said “India is a strong votary of democracy and democratic values. Indian democracy is not only ancient but strong, mature and vibrant. Democracy is in our thoughts and actions and has become a way of life.”
Mentioning about Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, he said, “During these 75 years of our Independence, our democracy has consistently gone from strength to strength. Confidence of our people on democracy has increased over the period of time.”
Highlighting India’s success in conducting elections from panchayat to Parliament, the Speaker said that 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.
Emphasizing that unity in diversity is India’s greatest strength, Lok Sabha Speaker said that we are all united despite our linguistic, cultural, geographical and religious diversities.
He also observed that the democratic institutions of the Commonwealth countries are capable of withstanding any challenge. Birla said that these countries should work with the collective goal of welfare of humanity.
Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, said that it was a historic day for Assam as it was for the first time that the Mid-Year Executive Committee Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is being held in India.
Mentioning about the role of the Assembly in the State’s development, the Chief Minister said that Assam Legislative Assembly has played a pioneering role in shaping the socio-cultural and academic edifice of the State while giving a major push to Assam’s development narrative.
Acting Chairperson of CPA, Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP, UK enumerated several path breaking initiatives of CPA and 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.
Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Biswajit Daimary, delivered Vote of Thanks.
CPA Executive Committee met physically in Guwahati after three years due the COVID pandemic. Fifty-three delegates from Commonwealth countries participated in the meeting physically and digitally.