At the 16th Edition of the Sansad Ratna Awards 2026, held on 9th September 2026 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), addressed the gathering as the Guest of Honour. Dr Majumdar is himself a decorated Sansad Ratna awardee and serves as an observer on the Jury Committee.
Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister of State for Education and DoNER, addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
Comprehensive Gist of Dr Sukanta Majumdar’s Address
Delivering his address in Hindi, Dr Sukanta Majumdar shared his personal evolution from an academic and first-time Member of Parliament to a Union Minister, highlighting the intrinsic strength of Indian democracy:
- The Epitome of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat': Dr Majumdar observed that the Sansad Ratna Awards represent the finest living embodiment of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The initiative is conceived and led by visionaries from South India (Tamil Nadu), organised in the national capital of North India, and honours top-performing legislators hailing from every geographical corner of the country.
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Personal Journey as an Awardee: He shared candid reminiscences of his own engagement with the awards:
- Upon receiving his first intimation email as a newly elected MP in 2019, he admitted to being unaware of the award's magnitude and missed attending. When he later witnessed senior parliamentary leaders conferring the honours, he resolved never to miss such recognition again.
- In subsequent years, he set a nationwide record by raising the highest number of questions in Parliament from the treasury benches, for which he was conferred the Sansad Ratna Award.
- He gratefully remembered that when he suffered an injury and could not travel to receive the honour, Prime Point Srinivasan and Adv. Priyadharshni Rahul made an exceptional gesture by visiting his official residence at North Avenue in New Delhi to personally present the trophy.
- Wryly noting his current ministerial appointment, he remarked that as a Union Minister of State, he is now on the answering side of questions and cannot compete for the award!
- Strength and Mobility of the Indian Constitution: Coming from an academic science background in the aspirational border district of Balurghat, West Bengal—nearly 1,400 kilometres from the capital—he recounted his youth in the late 1990s. Riding home from college on a bicycle during lunch breaks to watch Lok Sabha debates on television, he was captivated by legends like former Speaker P.A. Sangma reminding parliamentarians that "the whole country is watching you." He noted that without any family political background, the Constitution of India empowered a small-town youth to rise to the Parliament and Union Council of Ministers, proving the unmatched democratic mobility India offers.
- India’s Civilisational Heritage of Discourse: He asserted that India did not merely receive democracy; Bharat taught the world the philosophy of civilised discourse, constructive debate, and tolerant engagement across opposing ideologies.
- Recognising a Demanding, Thankless Responsibility: Emphasising that a parliamentarian's work is rigorous and often thankless, he lauded Prime Point Foundation for objectively monitoring parliamentary data and acknowledging the hard work of representatives, which restores confidence and motivates lawmakers to serve diligently.
- A Direct Appeal to the Youth: Addressing the numerous college and school students in the auditorium, Dr Majumdar passionately urged them not to dismiss politics as "dirty." Using a memorable and relatable analogy, he stated: "If a washroom is unclean, President Trump is not going to fly from America to clean it—we have to clean it ourselves." He called upon educated, dedicated youths from non-political backgrounds to enter public service and lead the nation's governance.
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