Kolkata, 04 July (H.S.): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday said leadership in a democracy is shaped by facts, reason and constructive ideas—not by sloganeering, disruptions or obstructing legislative proceedings. He urged legislators to transform the Assembly into a platform for meaningful debate, dialogue and solutions to public issues.

Addressing the valedictory session of a two-day orientation programme for members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Birla said the true strength of democratic institutions lies in informed dialogue, mutual respect and a shared commitment to public welfare. The programme was jointly organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The concluding session was also addressed by West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi.

Birla said public representatives have a responsibility to become the voice of the last person in society. Public trust, he observed, is the greatest strength of democratic institutions, and elected representatives must work to address people's concerns, aspirations and expectations through constitutional and democratic mechanisms. He expressed confidence that the MLAs of West Bengal would live up to the trust reposed in them by the people.

Emphasising the broader role of legislators, the Lok Sabha Speaker said MLAs are not merely representatives of their constituencies but stakeholders in the development and future of the entire state. He called upon them to adopt an inclusive outlook and actively contribute to policymaking, legislation and developmental initiatives.

Paying tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his death anniversary, Birla said the spiritual leader's life, philosophy and vision continue to inspire generations. He noted that Bengal's rich spiritual, intellectual and cultural heritage has always guided the nation and expressed confidence that the state would continue to play a leading role in India's development journey.

Birla also stressed that learning is a continuous process in public life. In an era of rapid technological advancement and digital transformation, he said, legislators must constantly update their knowledge and skills. He urged participants to effectively apply the insights gained during the orientation programme in their legislative responsibilities.

He further said that every voice raised in the Assembly represents the expectations and challenges of the people. Governments, he added, should positively consider constructive suggestions and concerns raised by legislators, as diverse viewpoints often lead to better policymaking and governance.

Calling for integrity in public life, Birla urged elected representatives to uphold simplicity, humility, transparency and ethical conduct. Respect and public acceptance, he said, are earned through honesty, public service and accountability rather than position or authority.

Referring to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', Birla said India's progress is intrinsically linked to the development of its states. He noted that West Bengal has historically made significant contributions to the nation and expressed confidence that it would once again emerge as a leading contributor to India's growth.

During the two-day orientation programme, experts conducted sessions on legislative procedures, parliamentary traditions, executive accountability, the committee system, lawmaking, financial and budgetary processes, parliamentary privileges, ethical conduct and digital legislative initiatives.

The valedictory ceremony was attended by Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, state ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs and other distinguished guests.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh