SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE WESTMINSTER PALACE

London, United Kingdom, 29th October, 2009

Madame Speaker of the House of Lords,

Mr Speaker of the House of Commons,

Chairs of the two All Party Parliamentary Groups related to India,

Lords,

Members of Parliament,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to have this opportunity to speak to this distinguished audience of the Members of the British Parliament. It was in the hallowed precincts of the Westminster that modern parliamentary democracy was born. It was here that some of the renowned Parliamentarians of the world have spoken and have guided the course of your nation. It was here, that some of the fundamental principles of legislative practices were propounded. Concepts like justice should protect the powerful and the humble with rigid impartiality; and that good laws should make it easier to do the right and harder to do the wrong have been eloquently articulated in the British Parliament. The institutions of Parliament have not only contributed in a significant measure to the greatness of the United Kingdom that has emerged over the centuries but have also enriched understanding about parliamentary democracy in many parts of the world, including in my country.

Parliaments play a very important role in the life of a democratic nation, representing the will and voice of the people. By carrying the people's mandate to Parliament after every election and reflecting the concerns and aspirations of their constituents in the parliamentary debates, Parliamentarians provide the link between the people and the Government and also a check and balance on the Government.

Earlier this year, in India we concluded elections to the 15th Lok Sabha, the People's House of our Parliament. It was a gigantic exercise involving an electorate of seven hundred and fourteen million. More than eight hundred thousand polling stations were established across the country. Arrangements were made even for a single voter in a remote, hilly and difficult area. This was done in keeping with the basic spirit of democracy that the voice of every citizen is important and inclusiveness is integral for its success. Democracy, indeed, is one of the finest ideas that humankind has produced and, each time elections are held in India we have rejoiced at the right given to the citizens of our country to express their choice and will. For the first time, a woman Parliamentarian was elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It was a proud moment for the women of our country. I am also happy to see that the Speaker of the House of Lords is a woman. As the first woman President of India, I believe that empowerment and full participation of women in national life is of great significance for any nation. Just as a chariot requires two wheels to move forward speedily, similarly a nation needs both men and women to progress in balanced and a comprehensive manner.

Democracy for us is a living concept in India. Since ancient times we have had elected bodies and a consultative process for decision making in the shape of our village Panchayats. Today, in contemporary India we have strengthened the democratic system at the grassroots level. 3.2 million Persons, out of which 1.2 million are women, have been elected as representatives to institutions of local self-government in the villages and municipalities of India. With this process of decentralization of democracy, people's participation in decisions on local development issues has increased.

Moreover, the essence of democracy which is tolerance, harmony and respect for contrary views has been the ethos of Indian culture. We are happy that the Indian community in UK has reflected these ideas even as they participate in the political process of this country. I understand that there are about six Members of Parliament, 20 Peers and several Councillors who are actively taking part in the UK's political set up. Not many may be aware that the seeds of today's participation were sown way back in the late 19th century when Dadabhai Naoroji was elected in the 1892 general election from Finsbury Central. He became the first British Indian MP in the House of Commons. Since then, many notable figures have walked through these corridors and have made both the country of their origin and the country of their adoption proud.

India and the UK enjoy strong historical and cultural linkages built upon shared values and traditions. Our relations today are perhaps better than ever before. We are Strategic Partners since 2004. We have a commonality of interests and aspirations. Both our countries have a long and proud historical tradition, while looking forward and adapting to the challenges of the future to shape the outcome of the 21st century.

I am confident that as our understanding of each other further improves, there can be much that we can achieve together. This has become particularly relevant in the context of the rapid change in the world order. India too has been developing rapidly. However, the essential pillars on which the edifice of India has been built remain the guiding force - democracy, inclusive economic development, social empowerment and a value system based on our civilizational heritage. The UK has also seen many changes but as a democracy its remains rooted in human values. We believe there are new and exciting opportunities for our two countries to cooperate with each other, with a sense of mutual respect and friendship. Let us work together and let our people come closer to each other to build a strong foundation for our bilateral relationship.

The contribution of parliamentary institutions in this endeavour is crucial. I know that many of you have a deep interest in India and have visited India in the past. You have also contributed by sending delegations of Parliamentarians of all the three parties to India regularly. The Parliament and the All Party Parliamentary Groups within the Parliament are, indeed, playing a most useful role. A further strengthening of linkages between our two Parliaments can only be mutually beneficial.

I conclude my visit to the UK today. I go back convinced that our relationship is poised for a more intensive engagement in all fields - political, economic, education, culture as well as contacts between our peoples. There is a mutual commitment to deepen our friendship. Personally, I carry back with me many fond memories of my visit. I would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen, the Government and the people of the UK for the warmth that they have shown and the generous hospitality that they have extended to me and to my delegation during our stay in the UK. We are deeply touched.

With these words, I would like to once again thank you for giving me the opportunity to interact with you. I convey to all of you present here my greetings and best wishes for your success and well-being.

Thank You.