15th Sansad Ratna Awards: Insights from the Keynote Addresses
The 15th Edition of the Sansad Ratna Awards was more than
just a ceremony; it provided a high-level platform for discussing the evolving
role of the Indian Parliament. Two of the most respected personalities in
Indian parliamentary history—Shri Kiren Rijiju and Shri Bhartruhari
Mahtab—shared their thoughts on the dedication required to serve the
world's largest democracy.
Shri Kiren Rijiju on the Unique Challenges of an Indian
MP
Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Union Minister for Parliamentary
Affairs and Minority Affairs, delivered an address that combined deep personal
respect for the initiative with a practical look at the life of a legislator.
He noted that while he was initially unaware of the foundation's full
background, learning that it was established on the advice of Dr APJ Abdul
Kalam made the occasion even more significant.
The Minister highlighted the staggering scale of
representation in India. He pointed out that while a Member of Parliament in
the UK represents about 66,000 voters, an average Indian MP represents nearly 20
lakh citizens. He observed that the work of an MP is a 24/7 commitment,
often starting with a long line of visitors at their doorstep before the day
even begins. He specifically complimented the Prime Point Foundation for
its 15-year commitment to "Positive Journalism" and for sustaining
this non-governmental effort without any external funding.
Watch Shri Kiren Rijiju’s full speech here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4BoTqlnT5Y
Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab on Parliamentary Accountability
Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, a 7th-term MP and Chairman of the
Parliamentary Committee on Finance, brought the perspective of a veteran
lawmaker to the event. Having recently served as the Pro-tem Speaker of the
18th Lok Sabha, he spoke about the vital importance of holding the executive
accountable.
He emphasized that the Question Hour and active
participation in debates are the backbone of a healthy democracy. He praised
the Sansad Ratna Awards for their transparent and objective selection process,
which relies solely on data from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats. He
noted that such recognition encourages Parliamentarians—especially the younger
generation—to be more diligent in their duties, introduce more Private Members'
Bills, and participate more effectively in Committee meetings.
Watch Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab’s full speech here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UP1wE_j0jQ
0 Comments