Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla emphasized that Indian and Scottish Parliaments need to learn from their experiences in the use of AI. He said that with the use of AI and technology, Parliament of India has been able to enhance its productivity.
Shri Birla made these remarks at a meeting with Rt Hon’ble John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland. In the second leg of his visit to the United Kingdom, Shri Birla was in Scotland today where the two leaders discussed about the shared democratic values and cooperation between the two sides.
Both the leaders discussed about cooperation in green energy, IT, AI and other sectors. Shri Birla reiterated India’s vision to become the third largest economy in the world. The Speaker informed Mr. Swinney about India’s robust growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on global peace with a vision of ‘VasudhaivKutumbakam’.
Shri Birla mentioned that India's New Education Policy has opened new avenues for foreign universities coming to India and Scottish Universities may take advantage of this. The First Minister of Scotland expressed his keen desire to visit India, saying that both sides have vibrant parliamentary system.
During the day, Shri Om Birla also met Rt. Hon'ble Alison Johnstone, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, at Queensberry House. Several issues of mutual interests, including enhancing parliamentary cooperation between the Parliament of India and the Scottish Parliament were discussed.
Shri Birla shared various steps taken by the Indian Parliament towards gender equality and women empowerment in the past years through legislation and meaningful debates.He noted that increasing participation of women Members of Parliament in the parliamentary proceedingsin India was an important initiative in this direction.
He suggested that the Parliaments of India and Scotland should exchange their experiences related to women empowerment. He said that the Government of India, under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has taken historic decisions like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to ensure enhanced representation of women in the democratic process and promote women-led development.
He explained how Indian democracy is thriving, gaining the confidence of its people and becoming increasingly inclusive. India has moved beyond ‘women’s development’ to ‘women led development’, asserted Shri Birla.
Lok Sabha Speaker also interacted with the Members of Scottish Parliament from various parties in Scotland.Hailing the parliamentary system of India as one of the strongest democratic systems, Shri Birla mentioned that meaningful discussion, dialogue, and deliberation have special significance in functioning of Indian Parliament.
The strong and efficient Committee system adds to the vibrancy of India’s parliamentary democracy, added Shri Birla.
Lok Sabha Speaker Interacts With Members Of Indian Community In London
A day before, Shri Birla interacted with the members of Indian community in London. Expressing happiness that the Indian Diaspora has preserved the sentiment of Indianness within themselves, the Speaker observed that they serve as bridges in the multifaceted relationship between India and the UK.
Mentioning that today, not only has the value of the Indian passport has increased, but India's name has also gained more respect, love and admiration. Faith in India's culture, tradition and life values has increased, and expectations from India have also increased.
As the world looks to India for solutions to global challenges, the Indian Diaspora plays a crucial role in this endeavor, stressed Shri Birla. Lok Sabha Speaker appealed to the members of Indian community in London that today, when India is moving ahead with the resolve to 'transform through reform', they should not limit themselves to just emotional attachment with India.
Be it innovation, investment or business, today the possibilities in the emerging new India are immense, and there is a storehouse of opportunities for them in India. They should make maximum use of these opportunities. He asserted that the New India is eagerly waiting for them with open arms.
During his visit to London, Shri Birla also met Mr. Rishi Sunak, former Prime Minister of UK. The two leaders exchanged views on a wide-range of issues, including our historical ties, shared values of parliamentary democracy, people to people contacts, and impacts of IT, AI, social media, fake news and the need to have appropriate laws to tackle such challenges.Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in London