Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday, 8 June declared that the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) is a national pledge demanding active cooperation from every citizen, institution, and elected representative across the country. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-II (North Zone) Conference at the Haryana Legislative Assembly chamber in Chandigarh.

Key Remarks at the CPA Conference

Birla stressed that policies, schemes, programmes, and budgetary provisions must deliver transformative change to the life of the last person in society. He called for accelerating social change, strengthening moral values, and steering society in a progressive direction. Underlining the pivotal role of legislators, he described them as the most effective drivers of grassroots change through localised policies and public welfare initiatives.

The conference was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh, Haryana Legislative Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahipal Dhanda, and Assembly members.

India's Position in a Shifting Global Order

Describing the 21st century as a period of major global shifts and geopolitical tensions, Birla expressed confidence in India's trajectory. 'Even during such challenging times, India is consistently moving forward on the strength of its long-term policies and plans, backed by good governance and a stable, strong, and robust legal framework,' he said.

He noted that India has introduced pragmatic reforms tailored to its own social and economic conditions, drawing lessons from global trends in developed nations. 'Today, the entire world looks toward India with renewed hope and immense possibilities; therefore, this is the time for collective efforts and comprehensive participation,' he added.

Youth Power and the 2047 Target

Birla expressed confidence that with broad-based participation, India's collective strength — particularly its youth demographic — will achieve the Viksit Bharat goal well before the target year of 2047. He noted that India's large population, once viewed as a challenge, has become its greatest asset. 'To leverage this, the youth must be equipped with skill development, quality education, and a mindset for innovation,' he said.

He also proposed that laws and policies formulated in legislatures must align with the aspirations of the new generation, ensuring that democratic institutions remain responsive and relevant.

Call for a Mass Movement in Democracy

The Speaker called for a nationwide janandolan (mass movement) so that every citizen feels a personal stake in building a developed India. He underlined that greater public participation — from gram panchayats and Panchayat Samitis to Zila Parishads, municipalities, state assemblies, and the Lok Sabha — brings new ideas, diverse perspectives, and constructive suggestions that give fresh momentum to development.

'The more citizens connect with democratic institutions, the faster the dream of a developed India will be realised,' he remarked.

Conference Participation and Deliberations

The inaugural session drew presiding officers from the legislatures of 12 states, including Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, and West Bengal. Detailed deliberations are being held across plenary sessions on the theme: 'Role of an Aware Society and Representatives of the People in Facing Future Challenges and Realizing the Goal of Viksit Bharat – 2047'.

The conference signals a broader push to align legislative bodies at every tier with the Centre's long-term development agenda ahead of India's centenary of independence.