Hon'ble Members, at the outset, I extend warm greetings to you on the beginning of the 261st Session of Rajya Sabha.

Hon’ble Members, this session makes available a befitting opportunity to reflect and introspect on “PARLIAMENTARY JOURNEY of 75 YEARS STARTING FROM SAMVIDHAN SABHA – ACHIEVEMENTS, EXPERIENCES, MEMORIES AND LEARNINGS”. 

Traversing over seven-decade journey, from Samvidhan Sabha to the present day in Amrit Kaal, these hallowed precincts have witnessed many milestones.

Hon’ble Members this journey had historical moments- from ‘Tryst with Destiny’ at Midnight of 15th August, 1947 to unfolding of innovative forwarding looking GST regime at midnight of June, 30, 2017 and now this day. 

Deliberations in the Constituent Assembly in various sessions spread over three years exemplified decorum and healthy debate.  Contentious and highly divisive issues were negotiated in a spirit of consensus. There is enough takeaway from this for us all.

Healthy debate is hallmark of a blossoming democracy. We must eschew confrontational posturing.  Weaponising disruption and disturbance as strategy would never secure sanction of the people.  We all are constitutionally ordained to nurture democratic values and must so justify and vindicate the trust of the people

We owe it to the nation to optimally utilise the opportunity and time to subserve public interest.

Hon'ble Members, this is also an occasion to recall and glorify:

•Our tenacious freedom fighters. They were the pioneers in true sense to fight for democratic rights;

•Our erudite constitutional forefathers - they were farsighted visionaries who, after much deliberations and discussions provided us a Constitution which has stood the test of the time;

•Our statesmen and politicians have time and again respected and abided by constitutional ideals and have democratised the Constitution itself by taking its essence to the masses;

•The Civil Service- the bureaucrats who have been steadfast day in and day out in ensuring that the state machinery works in a free and fair manner

•And finally it is the masses whose deep faith and unflinching belief in the parliamentary democracy sustained it and thwarted the worst possible attempt to deny democratic values.

The success of our democracy, is thus, a collective concerted endeavour of “WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA”.

Expectedly the Hon’ble Members, during the course of the day, would enrich the House and enlighten the people at large as regards our 75-year journey and unfold vision for years ahead.

Hon’ble Members use of wit, humour, sarcasm and even acerbic comments inside Parliament are important inalienable facet of a vigorous democracy.  These days we don’t get to hear such light hearted exchanges. Hopefully we’ll see the revival of wit, humour and scholarly debates.

The hallowed precincts of Parliament for years have witnessed highs and lows which we need to reflect and deliberate so as to take our Bharat to its rightful place in 2047 when it celebrates centenary of independence. 

I now invite the Hon’ble Leader of the House Shri Piyush Goyal to initiate the Discussion on “Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings”.

****

MS/RC