Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful address at the 28th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference in New Delhi on Thursday. He spoke with conviction about India's deep-rooted democratic spirit.
India's Democratic Foundation
Modi stated clearly that democracy flows through India's veins. He emphasized how the nation has transformed its remarkable diversity into a source of strength. This has allowed India to prove wrong all early doubts about its future after Independence.
"In India, democracy delivers," the Prime Minister declared. He explained that for Indian citizens, democracy means ensuring benefits and welfare reach the very last person. It works for everyone without any discrimination.
A Voice for the Global South
With many representatives from Global South nations in attendance, Modi highlighted India's role on the world stage. He said India consistently amplifies the interests of these countries in international forums.
During its G20 presidency, India successfully placed Global South concerns at the heart of the global agenda. "When the world is undergoing unprecedented changes, then it is also time for the Global South to chart a new path," Modi told the gathering.
He reminded the audience that India is home to more than half of the Commonwealth's total population. The country remains committed to supporting sustainable development goals across the member nations. Modi specifically recalled India's provision of vaccines and crucial medical aid to numerous countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ancient Democratic Roots
The Prime Minister traced India's democratic culture back thousands of years. He pointed to ancient texts like the Vedas, which are over 5,000 years old. These scriptures mention assemblies where people gathered to discuss issues and reach agreements.
Modi also referenced the practices of the Buddhist Sangha, which held open debates and made decisions through consensus or voting. He cited a fascinating 10th-century inscription from Tamil Nadu that describes a village assembly operating with clear democratic values.
"Our democratic values have been tested by time, supported by diversity and strengthened generation after generation," Modi asserted.
Celebrating Diversity at Scale
Modi painted a vivid picture of India's democratic landscape. Hundreds of languages are spoken across the nation. Over 900 television channels broadcast diverse viewpoints. Thousands of newspapers and periodicals are published regularly.
"Very few societies manage diversity at this scale," he observed. "India celebrates such diversity because our democracy has a strong foundation. India is called the Mother of Democracy."
He noted the monumental scale of India's 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which involved 980 million registered voters. This was not just the largest democratic exercise in history but also saw record participation from women voters.
Addressing Modern Challenges
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also addressed the conference delegates, which included 61 presiding officers from 46 countries. He raised important concerns about emerging technologies.
While acknowledging that innovations like Artificial Intelligence boost efficiency, Birla warned about their potential misuse. He highlighted the serious challenges of misinformation, cybercrime, and social disharmony that these technologies can create.
Birla stressed that democracies need effective solutions to counter these threats. He reflected on India's own parliamentary journey of over seven decades, which has been strengthened through people-centric policies and welfare-focused legislation.
The conference took place in the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, the old Parliament building. The gathering served as a platform to reaffirm democratic values and discuss their preservation in a rapidly changing world.
