Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a notable address in the Lok Sabha today following the re-election of Shri Om Birla as Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha, commending his leadership and highlighting significant accomplishments under his tenure.
Prime Minister Modi began by extending warm congratulations to Shri Om Birla on assuming the Speakership for a second consecutive term. He conveyed the House’s felicitations and underscored the auspiciousness of Shri Birla’s re-election during the Amrit Kaal, expressing confidence in his seasoned leadership and rapport with parliamentary colleagues.
Reflecting on parliamentary history, Prime Minister Modi noted Shri Birla’s distinction as the first Speaker in two decades to return to office after contesting and winning another election. He compared Shri Birla’s tenure favorably to that of Shri Balram Jhakar, recognizing their pivotal roles in advancing legislative agendas and upholding democratic principles.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the transformative legislative measures enacted during the 17th Lok Sabha under Shri Birla’s leadership. He cited landmark legislation such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which celebrates women’s empowerment, and reforms in Jammu Kashmir, social security, consumer protection, and taxation. These legislative achievements, Prime Minister Modi emphasized, have significantly contributed to India’s path towards becoming a modern and progressive nation.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi also acknowledged Shri Birla’s dedicated efforts in his constituency of Kota, Rajasthan. He praised Shri Birla’s initiatives in promoting maternal and child health, expanding healthcare services to rural areas, and enhancing educational opportunities and sports infrastructure. These initiatives, Prime Minister Modi noted, exemplify Shri Birla’s commitment to holistic development and public welfare.
Looking forward, Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism about the future trajectory of the Lok Sabha under Shri Birla’s guidance. He highlighted the inauguration of the new Parliament building and applauded Shri Birla’s initiatives to enhance parliamentary procedures through digitization and streamlined workflows. These efforts, he noted, are instrumental in fostering greater efficiency and transparency in legislative processes.
Prime Minister Modi also commended Shri Birla’s successful organization of the P-20 Conference of Presiding Officers, which brought together legislative leaders from G-20 nations to discuss global parliamentary cooperation and shared challenges.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the Parliament House as a symbol of India’s democratic aspirations and underscored the importance of parliamentary conduct and accountability in strengthening democratic institutions. He thanked Shri Birla for his exemplary leadership in upholding parliamentary decorum while making principled and judicious decisions for the House.
The address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi encapsulated Shri Om Birla’s pivotal role in advancing legislative agendas, promoting inclusive growth, and fostering global parliamentary cooperation, reaffirming his leadership’s critical role in shaping India’s parliamentary democracy.
