The 20th Conference of the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth is now coming to a close. During the last two days, we have had occasions to interact with each other on matters of common concern. We also had meaningful discussions in the Plenary Sessions, the Workshops and the Regional Caucus Meetings on various issues which have a bearing on the efficient and efficacious functioning of the Commonwealth Parliaments. This coming together of the Distinguished Delegates of the Commonwealth fraternity to discuss issues and exchange views has indeed helped us immensely in acquiring a deeper perspective into the problems and challenges faced by us in conducting the parliamentary proceedings as Presiding Officers. There is no doubt that at the end of the Conference, we all feel enriched, and have been greatly benefited from one another’s views, perspectives and insights.
Distinguished Delegates, as you all are aware, the world today is plagued with several grave problems having global ramifications. It is, therefore, necessary that all of us work together collectively and unitedly to find lasting solutions to the problems afflicting our nations and peoples. The Commonwealth community, spread across all the Continents and the Oceans, encompasses in its fold both the developed and the developing countries. That being so, all global problems invariably find their reflection in the Commonwealth community as well. In such a scenario, as Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Parliaments, it is our duty and responsibility to strive to strengthen our representative institutions to bolster our capacity to confront and to eventually surmount the hurdles before our polities and societies. The Presiding Officers have a pivotal role to play in this regard as they are the custodians of the highest traditions of parliamentary democracy.
Distinguished Delegates, all of us are well aware that people’s faith in democracy rests upon the confidence the common man has in the capacity and effectiveness of the parliamentary system. It thus becomes all the more necessary for all of us to work to secure, sustain and reinforce people’s faith in democratic institutions. Let us salute the CSPOC for nurturing and cherishing the values and ideals of parliamentary democracy in the Commonwealth during all these forty years since its inception with utmost devotion and sincerity. I am sure that the Distinguished Delegates will agree that the New Delhi Conference has further reinforced and reinvigorated the sentinels of parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth Parliaments.
As the Conference concludes, on behalf of the Distinguished Delegates and on my own behalf, I take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, who very graciously acceded to our request to inaugurate the Conference.
May I take this opportunity to heartily thank each and every Distinguished Delegate who joined us here in New Delhi for the 20th Conference? Your presence here and your active participation in the Conference has undoubtedly made it a landmark event in the annals of the CSPOC. I would like to compliment all of you for your unswerving commitment to the lofty ideals and values of the Commonwealth. I would also like to place on record our appreciation of the contribution of the Distinguished Delegates who chaired various Sessions, the Lead Speakers, and all those who took part in different discussion Sessions. Special thanks also go to the CSPOC Secretariat for their continued support.
I would like to thank the Standing Committee of the CSPOC for all the efforts they put in for the success of the Conference.
I also thank the Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri K. Rahman Khan and the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Kariya Munda, for hosting lunches for our esteemed Delegates and Guests and also for their cooperation at every stage in organizing this Conference.
I am grateful to the Executive Committee of the Indian Parliamentary Group for all the support they gave us in organizing the Conference. My thanks also go to all the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the State Legislatures of India. I would particularly like to compliment the Presiding Officers of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature who have extended their cooperation in organizing tomorrow’s visit to Agra.
I also place on record my thanks to the various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India for their wholehearted cooperation in making this event a success. The Department of Posts of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Government of India deserves special appreciation for bringing out a Commemorative Stamp to mark the Conference. I also appreciate the hard work and the commitment of the officers and staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat under the leadership and guidance of Shri P.D.T. Achary, Secretary-General of Lok Sabha and the Secretary-General of the Conference for the meticulous planning and successful organization of the Conference. The success of this Conference owes in large measure to their proactive involvement, whole hearted cooperation and commendable dynamism.
I also thank the Government of Delhi, the Delhi Police and various other agencies involved for their unstinted cooperation and support. My special thanks go to the various agencies which were involved in facilitating this Conference, especially the Central Public Works Department, the Horticulture Department, the Indian Railways, the India Tourism Development Corporation, the Vigyan Bhawan staff, the staff and management of Hotel Maurya Sheraton and Hotel Taj Palace.
A special word of thanks is due to the creative artists who gave us an opportunity to experience the grandeur of India’s rich and varied cultural heritage. I also take this opportunity to thank the media, both print and electronic, for taking a keen interest in the Conference and giving wide coverage to its varied activities.
As we conclude the Conference today, let us resolve to continue our endeavours towards promoting and preserving the ennobling concepts underlying the CSPOC in particular and the Commonwealth in general. Suffice it to say that the success of the Commonwealth will go a long way in the global community’s efforts at strengthening democracy in its commitment to make the world a better place to live in.
We trust and hope that our Distinguished Guests had a productive and enjoyable sojourn in our country and that you will carry with you fond memories of your visit to India. We thank you all once again for being with us and wish you a safe journey back home.
Thank you.
