London : Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today stressed that Election Commission of India has an excellent track record of conducting free, fair, independent and impartial elections. India is a vibrant democracy with nearly one billion voters, he added.* He made these remarks during his meeting with Speaker, House of Commons of the Parliament of UK, H.E. Sir Lindsay Hoyle in London, today.
Mentioning that India is celebrating 75 years of adoption of the Constitution, Shri Birla said that the Constitution of India has brought transformative socio-economic changes in the country over the period of time. He expressed hope that India will be developed country by 2047 – the centenary year of India’s independence*. Noting that democracy in India is deep rooted from grassroots level to Parliament, Shri Birla mentioned that the country is bridging gender gap in economy, polity and society through policy interventions.
Highlighting India’s achievements as a parliamentary democracy, Shri Birla was unequivocal in expressing that despite the diversities, India has been successful in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of different sections of society through parliamentary dialogues and discussion.
Referring to the use of digital technology in the Parliament of India, Lok Sabha Speaker noted that the use of digital technology has empowered the legislators and has helped them in discharging their parliamentary responsibilities more efficiently. State legislatures are also adopting new technologies to improve their functions, the Speaker informed.
Calling for strengthening parliamentary cooperation between India and UK, Shri Birla stressed on more and more exchange of parliamentary knowledge and experiences between the two countries. Youth and women parliamentarians of both the countries should interact more frequently, asserted Shri Birla. Observing that people to people ties constitute foundation of warm bilateral relations between the two countries, Shri Birla was of the view that this bonhomie has made the relationship stronger and multifaceted. Citing that bilateral relations between India and UK have been strengthened in the fields of trade, technology, science and space, the Speaker expressed happiness that this has benefited the people of both the countries.
Mentioning that PRIDE, Lok Sabha Secretariat has emerged as one of the world class institutions in providing parliamentary training, Shri Birla discussed about strengthening parliamentary cooperation through capacity building of legislators.
Highlighting encouraging participation of women in the election process in India, Shri Birla noted that such participation shows the inclusiveness in our electoral process.
The Speaker extended new year greetings to H.E. Sir Lindsay Hoyle and congratulated him on his election as Speaker, House of Commons, for the second time.
