Panaji, April 9 Coastal states have turned challenges into opportunities, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonstrated this while serving as the chief minister of Gujarat, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Thursday.
Delivering the inaugural address at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII conference here, Birla also said that legislative institutions will play a crucial role in building a developed India, and young legislators have a greater responsibility in achieving the goal of a developed India.
"Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa are coastal states, and with that come challenges. Yet, their leadership has often turned these challenges into opportunities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his long tenure as Gujarat's chief minister, faced drought, long coastal stretches, and tribal regions. He promoted industrialisation, trade, and tourism, transforming difficulties into development. Water from the Narmada was brought to water-starved areas, and new technologies were introduced to meet global changes," Birla said.
Similarly, the speaker said, other coastal states have converted natural challenges into opportunities.
Their assemblies have passed laws and policies to address crises and disasters, ensuring growth despite adversity, he said.
He said people have high expectations and aspirations from their elected legislators, and the coastal states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa need to adopt best practices from one another for development in coastal regions.
"There should be healthy competition among legislatures of different states to be the best assembly," he said.
Birla said the world recognises parliamentary democracy as the best system of governance.
"The increasing voter turnout in every election in the country since 1952 is a sign of India's successful democracy," he said.
The speaker said the present time is the era of artificial intelligence, but human sensitivity is equally important alongside them.
"Legislators who engage in the best discussions on policies and laws become prominent leaders in their states," he said.
Birla said the more legislators understand the rules and procedures of the legislature, the greater their participation and the more constructive the dialogue will be.
Birla also urged lawmakers to rise above personal and political interests, emphasising the importance of diligently and with integrity fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people they represent.
He said that elected representatives are entrusted with the mandate to translate public expectations into concrete actions, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure governance that is transparent, inclusive, and responsive.
"Upholding citizens' trust requires vision, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to public welfare — qualities essential for building a developed, equitable, and self-reliant nation," he said.
Speaking on the roles and responsibilities of young lawmakers, the speaker highlighted their pivotal role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
He emphasised that, as emerging leaders, they are entrusted with driving innovative policies, promoting inclusive development, and strengthening democratic institutions.
"Their energy, vision, and commitment to public welfare, he added, can play a transformative role in building a prosperous, self-reliant, and equitable India, ensuring sustainable growth and social progress for generations to come," he said.
Sharing insights on the evolving role of legislative institutions in nation-building, Birla emphasised the importance of healthy competition among state legislatures in promoting public welfare and good governance.
The speaker also underlined that people's representatives must be adept at addressing citizens' issues by harnessing the transformative power of science and technology.
He stressed the importance of understanding legislative issues, rules, and procedures and observed that those who actively participate in thoughtful discussions on policies and laws often emerge as prominent leaders in their states.
Speaking about the newly created Zone VII of the CPA India Region, which includes Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat, Birla noted that while each state faces unique challenges, their spirit of public cooperation and collective effort has turned these challenges into opportunities for growth.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and speakers of Goa and Maharashtra, Ganesh Gaonkar and Rahul Narvekar, also spoke on the occasion.
The CPA India Region Zone-VII comprises the legislatures of Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
This is the first conference of Zone-VII following the restructuring of the CPA India Region into nine zones in 2024.
Legislators from the three coastal states are also attending the conference.