LOKSABHA SPEAKER INAGURATES COMMON WEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE IN GOA
Panaji, April 9, 2026
Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla said that the world recognizes Parliamentary Democracy as the best system of Governance and the young legislators have greater responsibility in achieving the goal of a developed India.
The Speaker was addressing after inaugurating the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Region, Zone-VII (West Zone) Conference begins today in Goa.
Others present were Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh, Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Adv. Rahul Narvekar Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Prof. Ram Shinde, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar and Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Joshua De Souza.
Earlier, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar welcomed the guests on dais and presented a kunbi shawl to the dignitaries.
Speaking about the Goa the Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla said, Goa is a land of tourism, art, culture, and energy. He praised the efforts of young MLA’s saying that active legislators and youth participation are vital for India’s democracy.
Commenting on AI technology the Loksabha Speaker said today is the era of artificial intelligence and technology, but human sensitivity is equally important alongside them. Even though the Legislative institutions play a crucial role in building a developed India. People have high expectations and aspirations from their elected legislators, the Speaker added.
The Speaker appealled to all the states to adopt best practices from one another for development of coastal regions. He said the coastal states have turned their challenges into opportunities; Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonstrated this while serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Speaker added.
The Speaker reiterated that the world recognizes parliamentary democracy as the best system of governance and there should be healthy competition among legislatures of different states to be the best assembly, he conclude.
The Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant said, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat must work together to boost trade, tourism corridors, urban infrastructure and coastal management. The Chief Minister informed the delegates about the expansion of over 240 citizen services across the 40 departments.
Highlighting the vision of “Viksit Bharat” the Chief Minister said, India is on a historic journey towards the Viksit Bharat Mission 2047 for achieving this vision it needs energy, creativity and dedications of entire nation especially the youths. The Chief Minister further said, the Prime Minister has emphasized on Yuva Shakti as one of the four pillars of a Vikasit Bharat, alongside Nari Shakti, Kisan Shakti and the commitment to Garib Kalyan.
The Chief Minister said the young legislators are in a unique position to be bridges between generations, guiding older colleagues with new solutions and guiding the young citizens to trust and participate in democracy.
The Chief Minister appealed to share knowledge across states on trade, tourism, urban planning and environmental protection, so that every region grows sustainably.
The two days conference is expected to bring together senior parliamentary leaders from across western India for discussions on key governance and development priorities. This will strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation and promote meaningful dialogue on regional and national issues. It will also serve as a platform for exchange of legislative best practices and collaborative approaches to contemporary challenges in governance.
The second half of the conference two thematic plenary sessions, on “The Role of Young Legislators in achieving the goals of a developed India by 2047” and “Priorities of Zone-VII in Trade, Tourism, Urbanization, Environment and Coastal Connectivity” held which focussed on fostering constructive dialogue on development priorities, legislative innovation, and regional cooperation among participating States.
DI/NB/AXP/SAG/2026/34