Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday inaugurated the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Region, Zone-VII (West Zone) Conference in Goa, stating that parliamentary democracy is globally recognised as the best system of governance and that young legislators have a crucial role in achieving the goal of a developed India.
Addressing delegates, Birla said active participation of youth and legislators is vital for strengthening democracy. He highlighted that while artificial intelligence and technology are shaping governance, human sensitivity remains equally important. He also stressed that people have high expectations from elected representatives and called for healthy competition among state legislatures to become model assemblies.
Birla described Goa as a land of tourism, art, culture and energy, and praised the role of young MLAs in promoting democratic values. He urged coastal states to adopt best practices from one another and turn challenges into opportunities, citing examples of development initiatives in coastal regions.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat should work together to boost trade, tourism corridors, urban infrastructure and coastal management. He also informed that more than 240 citizen services across 40 departments have been expanded in Goa.
Highlighting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Sawant said the country’s growth requires the energy, creativity and dedication of the youth. He added that young legislators can act as bridges between generations, bringing innovative solutions and encouraging greater public participation in democracy.
Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Ganesh Gaonkar welcomed the dignitaries and presented a traditional Kunbi shawl. Also present were Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde, and Goa Deputy Speaker Joshua De Souza, among others.
The two-day conference brings together parliamentary leaders from western India to deliberate on governance and development priorities. The event includes thematic sessions on the role of young legislators in achieving a developed India by 2047 and priorities related to trade, tourism, urbanisation, environment and coastal connectivity.
