Inaugurates All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Kevadia Gujarat
By Andalib Akhter
President Ram Nath Kovind today Indian institutions are gaining more strength at a time when democratic institutions are being questioned around the world. He said that the biggest challenge before the public representatives and democratic institutions was to meet the expectations of the public.
Inaugurating the 80th All India conference of the presiding officers at Kevadia in Gujarat, President said that it was expected from the public representatives that they always remain honest towards the principals of democracy.
Stating that Indian ancient books have mentions of democratic values, the President said our founding fathers gave a final form to these sentiments in the Constitution.
President Kovind expressed happiness that this conference is being held at the statue of unity- the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu in his address said that harmonious coordination between Legislature, Executive and Judiciary is a Key to a Vibrant Democracy.
Chairman of Rajya Sabha M. Venkaiah Naidu asserted that none of the three organs of the ‘State’ can claim to be supreme as only the Constitution is supreme and the legislature, the executive and the judiciary are bound to work within the respective domains as defined in the Constitution.
Naidu urged the three organs of State to work in harmony guided by the spirit of mutual respect, responsibility and restraint for the cause of nation building. He expressed concern over the instances of each of the three organs encroaching into the domain of others.
Also expressing concern over the functioning of the legislatures, Mr Naidu, referring to the Presiding Officers as the ‘high priests of temples of democracy’, urged them to ensure the sanctity of these temples. Stating that legislatures are the cornerstone of democracy that provide the basis for the actions of both the executive and the judiciary, Naidu referred to the public opinion turning against the law making bodies and the legislators over the years. He noted that frequent disruptions, conduct of legislators both within and outside the chambers of the Houses, rising number of law makers with criminal background, rising money power in elections, flaunting of power by legislators are some of the reasons for this negative perception.
Lok Sabha Speaker and chairman of this conference Om Birla called upon all participating presiding officers to think about the constitutional responsibility on the constitution day. He also appealed the presiding officers to take oath for fulfilling the targets set by our great leaders.
The theme of this year’s conference is Harmonious Coordination of Legislative, Executive and Judiciary – Key to a Vibrant Democracy.
Mr Birla said that, as their representatives of the people, lawmakers reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people. He added that at the same time our democratic institutions derive strength from the Constitution, as it provides the basis for functioning of the legislatures according to the people’s aspirations. Birla exhorted that lawmakers must always work for public welfare while remaining committed to constitutional values.
Mr Birla appealed to all stakeholders to take a pledge towards rebuilding the nation. Even the smallest efforts can bring a change in last man’s life. He said that in the journey of Indian democracy, there have been differences of opinion among institutions, but solutions can always be found, through improvements in democratic procedures, while staying within the limits of constitutional provisions and democratic norms.
Addressing the gathering, the Leader of the Indian National Congress in Lok Sabha, Mr Adhir Ranjan Chaudhury recalled that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had weaved the nation together whose grand statue adorns the pious land of Kevadia. He said that Gujarat is also the land of the Mahatma, whose soul continues to inspire our public life. He mentioned that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had emphasized on both political and social equality which has been imbibed in our Constitution. He further said that our Constitution was the contribution of innumerable freedom fighters who burnt their midnight oil to prepare the voluminous yet magnificent document. Chaudhary stressed that plurality is the basic feature of our culture which accommodates differences and dissent and thus makes us an argumentative society. As such, our concern should be to ensure debate, dialogue and dissent in public life.
Praising Lok Sabha Speaker, for inspiring the organization of this Conference, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Pralhad Joshi said that India is strong and one today because Sardar Patel united us. He recalled that the Constitution Day was first started by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi which has now become a national event under his inspiring leadership.
Joshi said that democratic values have existed in India since ancient times and referred to Anubhava Mantapa in ancient India. Referring to interruptions in Legislatures, he said that all the stakeholders, including Presiding Officers, should introspect upon this trend and ensure that the people’s faith is restored in legislative institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vijay Rupani said that Gujarat has been at the forefront of India’s development and democracy. He observed that Gujaratis have contributed immensely to Indian democracy for which there is immense pride among the people of the state. He noted that generations of leaders, from Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, G.V. Mavlankar to Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi have selflessly served the nation.
