New Delhi, 15 January (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) on Thursday at Parliament House's historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, proclaiming India's transformation of diversity into democracy's bedrock strength while underscoring presiding officers' pivotal role in equitable discourse.

Addressing 61 Speakers from 42 Commonwealth nations and four semi-autonomous parliaments under Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's chairmanship, Modi delineated parliamentary democracy's essence: Speakers embody patience, affording every voice equitable hearing amid tumult, smiling through overzealous interruptions to uphold institutional decorum.

Historic Venue Echoes Freedom's Dawn

PM Modi evoked the venue's sanctity in India's democratic odyssey: amid colonial twilight when independence loomed certain, this Central Hall hosted Constituent Assembly deliberations crafting the Constitution; for 75 post-Independence years, it reverberated as Parliament, forging the nation's trajectory.

Now enshrined as Samvidhan Sadan—commemorating the Charter's 75th implementation anniversary—the site symbolizes democratic continuum, rendering dignitaries' presence a poignant milestone.

Diversity as Democratic Dynamism

Marking India's fourth CSPOC stewardship with the theme Effective Delivery of Parliamentary Democracy, PM Modi refuted pre-Independence sceptics doubting democracy's viability amid vast diversity, asserting India catalysed it into unparalleled potency. Dispelling fears that democracy stifled development, he catalogued India's preeminence: fastest-growing major economy, UPI-powered global digital payments primacy, vaccine production leadership, second-ranked steel output, third-largest startup ecosystem, aviation market, metro and rail networks, alongside milk and rice supremacy.

In India, democracy means last-mile delivery, Modi emphasised, crediting non-discriminatory welfare ethos for elevating 25 crore from poverty, embodying democracy delivers.

Ancient Roots Sustain Modern Scale

PM Modi likened India's democracy to a mighty tree nourished by deep ancestral roots: millennia-old Vedas reference deliberative assemblies yielding consensus; Buddha's Sangha pioneered structured discourse via vote or accord; a 10th-century Tamil Nadu inscription chronicles accountable village sabhas.

As the Mother of Democracy housing half the Commonwealth's populace, India fulfils Sustainable Development Goals responsibly—from health and climate to innovation—while sharing open-source platforms empowering Global South emulation.

Global South Vanguard Amid Flux

Amid unprecedented global churn,PM Modi positioned India as Global South sentinel, centring its priorities during G20 presidency and pioneering AI for real-time parliamentary translation into regional tongues, study tours, and internships demystifying legislatures for youth.

Having addressed over 20 Commonwealth parliaments, PM Modi pledged reciprocal best-practice exchange, concluding with wishes for enriched learning at this pivotal conclave attended by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Inter-Parliamentary Union President Dr. Tulia Ackson, and CPA Chairperson Dr. Christopher Kalila.

This address synchronises with Modi's Pongal unity ode, Army Day valour tributes, Startup India decennial prelude, and ED's Bengal police purge plea—crystallising Thursday's democratic dividend narrative.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar