NEW DELHI, JUN 16 (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday rejected the idea that democracy is a foreign concept and emphasised that India’s democratic systems evolved organically since ancient times.
Addressing a Youth Parliament organised here by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Birla also praised the Constitution-makers for granting women the right to vote since the inception of the Republic.
The speaker called on the youth to lead the charge for building a developed India by 2047. He noted that more than 59 lakh youths are now actively engaged with the Youth Parliament programme nationwide.
Birla underlined that democracy is not a foreign concept and India’s democratic systems have evolved organically since ancient times.
He lauded the architects of the Constitution for granting universal adult franchise, including women’s right to vote, since the inception of the Republic.
A major focal point of Birla’s address was the shifting landscape of grassroots and national governance, including participation of women in local bodies, which has reached a historic 50 per cent across several states. Birla hailed the landmark women’s reservation bill as a decisive turning point that will permanently solidify and mirror the grassroots success within the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
Reminding the young participants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds that the onus of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ rests on their shoulders, the speaker called on them to channel their innovation into public service. Birla emphasised that true leadership lies in empathy and absolute accountability towards the citizens.
