New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil said Wednesday that the functioning of India’s parliament must meet exacting standards and set an example for the rest of the world, adding that the image in the public mind of the highest elected body should be one where debates take place in a constructive manner.
Giving away the Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards at a function in the central hall of parliament, the president said that the people’s faith in democratic institutions rests upon how effectively the elected representatives perform, and how attentive they are to issues that impact public welfare.
The awards, for 2007-2009, were given respectively to Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi (Congress), Mohan Singh (Samajwadi Party) and Murli Manohar Joshi (Bharatiya Janata Party). Dasmunsi has been hospitalised for long and his award was received by his wife Deepa Dasmunsi, a member of the Lok Sabha.
Patil said every parliament must evolve and reform to meet emerging challenges that often require fresh thinking and innovative ideas.
‘Parliament has to respond to pressing national problems, including many which have long term implications, which require serious study, research and preparations. This aspect needs greater focus. An enhanced image of parliament is the basis of strengthening democratic values. Indeed, the functioning of the parliament of the world’s largest democracy must meet exacting standards to set an example for the rest of the world,’ Patil said.
Pointing out that the India’s democratic traditions have shown great strength and resilience and skeptics have all been proved wrong, the president said that parliament was a composite unit and both the treasury and the opposition benches were part of it.
‘The art of democracy lies in finding a way forward, in which, differing viewpoints and interests are discussed, and a solution found through a process of consultations and discussions. Naturally, there will be some sound and fury in the process for the search for answers, but it should never happen that in the din we loose our way forward. It is important that the image of parliament in the public mind should be one where debates and discussions take place with a view to find an outcome through a constructive and co-operative approach,’ the president said.
Recalling her experience as an MP and Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, Patil said she was deeply conscious of the complexities of conducting proceedings of Parliament.
‘I am aware that the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, alongwith all Members of the Parliament, have been engaging in discussions on how to utilize time in the most productive manner. Issues like how many sittings and how many Bills are passed, how effective is Question Hour, all these matters should be subjected to a mechanism of self-appraisal. Efficient time management is very important and every section of the House has a role in this,’ she said.
The function was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Meera Kumar, besides ministers and MPs. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee was also present.
The award carries a citation and a plaque.
