Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu recently captivated audiences at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Bridgetown, Barbados, with his compelling address on India’s robust democratic spirit and unwavering institutional strength.
The session, aptly named ‘Strengthening our institutions to support democracy,’ delved into crucial discussions on enhancing the trust and longevity of democratic systems across all member nations, as detailed by Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu in a press release issued on Thursday.
During his address, delivered eloquently in both Telugu and English, Speaker Patrudu fondly recollected the deep historical bond between India and Barbados. He highlighted India’s gesture of gifting the Speaker’s Chair to Barbados following its independence in 1966, a powerful symbol of the people’s collective will. He further noted, ‘When a directly elected House operates under the Speaker’s astute guidance, democratic institutions naturally flourish in harmony.’
Reflecting on India’s impressive 75-year journey as a Republic, the Speaker proudly stated that the Indian Constitution, meticulously crafted in the name of ‘We, the People,’ has forged an exceptionally strong and accountable democratic framework. He underscored India’s remarkable electoral evolution, growing from 170 million voters in 1951 to a staggering 970 million in 2024. This consistent and peaceful transfer of power through 18 general elections, he asserted, stands as a testament to the profound maturity of India’s democratic fabric.
He powerfully reiterated that in India, no institution stands above the Constitution, emphatically declaring that ‘the people are the real masters of the nation.’
To further illustrate the essence of a truly people-centric democracy, he evoked the memorable words of legendary Telugu leader N.T. Rama Rao: ‘Society is the temple and people are Gods.’