Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday called for meaningful democratic dialogue and constructive legislative functioning, asserting that leadership is built through facts, reason and ideas rather than sloganeering, disruptions or legislative deadlocks.
Addressing the valedictory session of a two-day Orientation Programme for Members of the 18th West Bengal Legislative Assembly, LS Speaker Birla said legislatures must remain forums for discussion, deliberation and solutions, where debates contribute to addressing public concerns and advancing development.
The orientation programme was organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat in collaboration with the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Emphasising the importance of quality parliamentary discourse, LS Speaker Birla said democratic institutions derive their strength from informed dialogue, mutual respect and a shared commitment to public welfare. He urged legislators to enrich debates in the House by relying on facts, reasoned arguments and constructive ideas instead of disruptions.
Calling upon elected representatives to become the voice of the last person in society, the Lok Sabha Speaker said public representatives derive their authority from the trust reposed in them by citizens and must work to fulfil the aspirations, hopes and dreams of the people.
He said legislators are expected to raise public concerns through democratic institutions and work towards finding effective solutions. Expressing confidence in the members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, LS Speaker Birla said they would justify the faith placed in them through dedicated public service and responsible conduct.
The Speaker observed that Members of Legislative Assemblies are not merely representatives of their constituencies but key stakeholders in the overall development and future of their states. He urged them to adopt a broad and inclusive vision while framing policies, enacting laws and contributing to developmental initiatives capable of providing new direction to West Bengal.
Paying tribute to Swami Vivekananda, LS Speaker Birla said his life and teachings continue to inspire generations and demonstrate how character, dedication and commitment to society can bring transformative change. He noted that Bengal’s rich spiritual, intellectual and cultural heritage has historically guided the nation and continues to inspire India’s democratic and developmental journey.
Appreciating the enthusiastic participation of legislators during the orientation programme, LS Speaker Birla stressed that learning, dialogue and exchange of ideas are continuous processes in public life. In an era of rapid technological and digital transformation, he said legislators must constantly update themselves and apply new knowledge in carrying out their legislative responsibilities.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also urged members to make effective use of legislative forums to articulate the concerns and expectations of the people, saying every issue raised in the House represents the aspirations and challenges of citizens and should be viewed as an opportunity to improve governance.
He emphasised that governments should give due consideration to constructive suggestions and concerns raised by legislators, noting that effective solutions emerge when diverse viewpoints are heard and addressed.
Highlighting the importance of ethics in public life, LS Speaker Birla said simplicity, humility, transparency and integrity are essential qualities for public representatives. “Public trust is the greatest strength of democratic institutions,” he said, adding that respect and credibility are earned through sincerity, accessibility and service rather than position or authority.
He encouraged legislators to strengthen the quality of debates and uphold the democratic traditions of the Assembly while seeking regular public feedback on laws and policies to make governance more responsive, transparent and citizen-centric.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, LS Speaker Birla said India’s progress is closely linked to the development of its states. He observed that West Bengal has historically provided leadership and direction to the nation across various fields and expressed confidence that the state would once again play a pivotal role in India’s developmental journey.
Urging members to dedicate themselves to public welfare, he said the benefits of governance must reach every section of society, particularly the last person in the queue.
The two-day orientation programme featured sessions on legislative functioning, parliamentary conventions and etiquette, executive accountability, committee systems, legislative procedures, financial and budgetary processes, parliamentary privileges and ethics, and digital legislative initiatives. Eminent presiding officers, parliamentarians and parliamentary experts participated as resource persons during the programme.
The valedictory session was attended by West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, ministers of the West Bengal government, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly and other dignitaries.
