PM Modi in Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India is the “mother of all democracies”, based on the legacy of ancient republics like Vaishali, and expressed satisfaction over the country’s march towards becoming a “mature democracy”. Modi made the remarks at a function organized to mark the centenary celebrations of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, under which he unveiled a memorial pillar, planted a sapling of ‘Kalpataru’ and laid the foundation stone of a guest house and a library.
- “India is a democracy because we believe in harmony…we are often told that India is the largest democracy. I want the countrymen to remember that we are not only the largest; India is the largest of all democracies. Mother is: PM Modi
- Expressing happiness over being “the first prime minister to visit the Legislative Assembly of Bihar”, Modi recalled that the state was home to Vaishali, which is said to be the world’s oldest republic.
- “Many say that democracy in India came about because of western influence. By doing so they weaken the legacy of Bihar,” Modi said, recalling incidents like Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha to make his point.
- “It is not a mere coincidence that the centenary celebrations of the assembly complex are being held simultaneously with the Amrit Mahotsav (75th anniversary) of Azadi,” the PM said.
- The PM said the nation is “on the way to become a mature democracy” which was evident from the “better presence of parliamentarians inside Parliament and state legislatures” and “abandonment of obsolete laws”.
- The prime minister spoke of the “brilliant past” of the state assembly, becoming the first in the country to bring in a zamindari abolition law and reservation for women in panchayats.
Before the PM’s address, there were speeches of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Speaker of the Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.
,With inputs from PTI,
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