New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government has taken a major step in empowering women by tabling the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha.
The first session of the new parliament was held this afternoon. In this, the Women’s Reservation Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha for the first time. Law Minister Arjun Ram Maghwal tabled the bill. Speaking then, he asked all the members to support this bill which empowers women.
Subsequently, Prime Minister Modi delivered his first speech in the new parliamentary Lok Sabha. Speaking then, he said, “The new parliament building heralds the new modern India. It was created by our engineers and staff. I extend my best wishes to the first session of the new Parliament and welcome each member. This Parliament marked the beginning of a new dawn of the Amrita Age.
India is progressing with various achievements. Chandrayaan-3, which we sent to explore the moon in the field of science, has succeeded and brought pride to the country. The success of the G20 Summit held in New Delhi has given India a huge boost at the international level. These have had a huge impact.
The new Parliament begins functioning from today. This presents a unique opportunity. Today is Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesha is considered the god of prosperity, sanctity and sanity. With renewed enthusiasm and energy we commit to embark on this new journey of ours. Balakangadhara Tilak established Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations across the country as a means of freedom struggle. We are currently traveling with the same feeling.
Also, today is a day of forgiveness. This is the day to forgive anyone who has harmed anyone knowingly or unknowingly. On this day, we should try to forget the bitterness of the past and move forward.
The Holy Scepter is installed in the new Parliament. This sacred scepter is the witness of the first light of the country’s independence. It was the scepter held by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of the country. The scepter connects us to our important past.
More than 30 thousand people are involved in the construction of the new parliament building. Each of them is named in a digital book called Shramix. The Parliament Building is currently under construction. Our mindset also needs to change. Parliament is the highest body to serve the country. This is not a place for political parties to thrive. A place to ensure the development of the country. We should act keeping in mind the writings, thoughts and actions contained in the Constitution.
The function of members in Parliament is very important. Whether it is ruling party or opposition party, people are watching the activities of each member of Parliament. It is very important that decisions are taken collectively on public matters. Although we belong to different parties, our goal is the same. All must come forward to maintain parliamentary traditions with restraint.
It is very important to bring about a constructive change in the society. Women are achieving in everything from aerospace to sports. I also emphasized during the G20 summit that women-led development should be promoted. Government action in this direction will be very meaningful. Most of the more than 50 crore beneficiaries of the Jandan scheme are women. Similarly, women have benefited more through the Mudra scheme and the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana. Any country’s development journey will go down in history. Time for India now. The development journey of our country will go down in history.
A bill to provide 33% reservation for women in legislatures and parliament was introduced in Parliament for the first time in 1996. During the Vajpayee regime, this bill was tabled in Parliament several times. However, the Bills were not passed due to insufficient numbers. I believe that God has chosen me to complete this work. The Union Cabinet has approved this bill. September 19, 2023 is going to be a very important day in history.
We see women’s contribution increasing in every field. Our government has today tabled a bill seeking constitutional amendment. The bill aims to increase the participation of women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. This bill called Narishakti Vandan Abhiniyam will further strengthen our democracy. For this, I offer my best wishes to our mothers, sisters and daughters.
I want to assure all our mothers, sisters and daughters that this bill will definitely become law. Also, I request all the members in this House to support this bill as law. This bill should be passed unanimously in both houses,” said Prime Minister Modi.
