SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE OUTSTANDING PARLIAMENTARIAN AWARDS

Central Hall of Parliament House, New Delhi, 18th August 2010

Members of Parliament,

I am happy to confer the Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 to Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, Shri Mohan Singh and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi respectively. All of them have been associated with public affairs for a long time, and have been articulating issues of public concern in Parliament. I congratulate them for winning the Award which they richly deserve.

Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, as a dynamic youth leader showed his efficiency, and as a dynamic Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, showed an immense capacity for deft floor management. His sudden unfortunate illness deprived Parliament of an experienced hand, who had a deep understanding of its functioning. I remember him for his many qualities and convey him my good wishes. Recently, while following the matches in the Football World Cup in South Africa, I was reminded of his passionate interest in football and his association with the All India Football Federation. I pray for his speedy recovery.

Shri Mohan Singh has been a Member of the Lok Sabha and is now a Member of the Rajya Sabha, and earlier was of the Uttar Pradesh State Legislature. He thus has, vast experience of legislative bodies both at the Centre and State, and brings into Parliament an approach infused with an understanding of ground realities. His mature and seasoned demeanor is a feather in his cap.

Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, as a leading member of the Treasury, as well as the Opposition benches, has been drawing attention to developments in the country, through his well articulated and erudite interventions. With his knowledge of science, his scholarship and his deep commitment to serving the people of India, he has contributed to parliamentary processes.

Parliament is the repository of the sovereign will of the people. It is the premier institution of representative democracy in India. We can be proud that democracy is well entrenched in India. Since the adoption of our Constitution, we have held 15 General Elections to Parliament, as also regular elections to the State Legislatures. India's democratic traditions have shown great strength and resilience. Skeptics, who during the early post Independence years expressed uncertainty about what they described as India's experiment with democracy, have all been proved wrong. On the other hand, there is widespread acclaim for the manner in which the people of India have repeatedly expressed their confidence in democracy by participating, time and again, in electoral exercises. We can be proud that we have carried forward the torch of democracy in a manner that today, the concept of democracy and India are inseparable.

It is in the period between elections that people expect their elected representatives to give expression to their cherished aspirations and serious concerns, and take the nation forward in the direction of growth, equity and stability. 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. This is an enormous responsibility and Parliamentarians must work to meet the expectations of the people, as they perform their parliamentary functions.

The basic mandate of Parliament is to enact legislation, deliberate on public policies with a view to address people's concern, and perform its role as a body for executive accountability. However, every successive Parliament has had to face its own unique circumstances and to address a specific range of issues. Hence, Parliament cannot be a body that remains static. It 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.

Parliament is a composite unit, the treasury and the Opposition benches both are a part of it. The successful functioning of the Parliament is hence, a joint responsibility of both the Government and the Opposition. 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.

I myself have been a Member of both Houses of Parliament, as also the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. I am 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.

Gandhiji had said, "A democratic organization has to dare to do the right at all costs." To be able to do so, Parliament must be a robust body, with its members guided by a vision of progress for the nation, and by integrity and tolerance in their conduct. I am confident that Parliamentarians will deliver on this.

With these words, I would once again, congratulate Shri Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, Shri Mohan Singh and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. I also convey my warmest greetings to all Members of Parliament.

Thank You.

Jai Hind!