Modi said the scale of India’s democracy is truly extraordinary and the country has a long tradition of debate, dialogue and collective decision-making.
New Delhi
India has successfully turned its teeming diversity into the strength of its democracy and shown the world that democratic institutions and processes give stability, speed and scale to its development.
Inaugurating the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi on Thursday, the Prime Minister said India has a long tradition of debate, dialogue and collective decision-making, in reference to it being called the ‘Mother of Democracy’. “India’s democracy is like a large tree supported by deep roots,” he said.
‘India’s democracy means last-mile delivery’
“In India, democracy means last mile delivery. We work for all, without any discrimination, in the spirit of public welfare. This spirit also helped lift 25 crore people out of poverty,” he said.
Recalling doubts expressed at the time of Independence, Modi said, “When India won its freedom, many doubted whether democracy could survive amidst the country’s immense diversity. However, this very diversity became the strength of Indian democracy.”
“There was also scepticism that even if democracy did take root, India would struggle to progress. Contrary to these doubts, India has demonstrated that democratic institutions and processes provide stability, scale, and speed to its development,” the PM said.
‘A voice of Global South’
Positioning India as a leading voice of the Global South, Modi said the world was going through “unprecedented times” and called for new pathways for developing nations.
“In every global platform, India is steadfast in raising the issues that are beneficial to the Global South. During its G20 Presidency, India placed the priorities of the Global South at the centre of its international agenda,” he said.
About 60 speakers and presiding officers are attending the event being held at the Samvidhan Sadan in Parliament House complex here from January 14 to 16. It is deliberating on a wide range of contemporary parliamentary issues, including the role of speakers and presiding officers, in maintaining strong democratic institutions.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in parliamentary functioning, the impact of social media on members of Parliament, innovative strategies to enhance public understanding of Parliament and citizen participation beyond voting, among others, are also being discussed at the conference.
‘India’s UPI, vaccine, steel sectors set global records’
PM Modi underlined feats such as India’s UPI being the world’s biggest digital payments system, its status as the world’s largest vaccine producer, the second-largest steel producer, and having the third-largest startup ecosystem and aviation market in the world.
It also had the fourth-largest railway network in addition to the third-largest metro rail network, while being the biggest milk producer and the second-largest rice producer in the world.
