Democracy needs to be improved by removing degradation in politics. This was stated by speakers at Bhuvan Bhushan Devliya lecture Series on “Justification of legislative and Conduct of Public Representatives” at Madhavrao Sapre Newspaper Museum and Research Centre here on Sunday.
Panchayats and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargava was the chief guest while keynote speakers included socialist leader and thinker Raghu Thakur and former Chief Secretary KS Sharma.
Bhargava said that regionalism, casteism and communalism has undermined democracy. legislative is unable to give priority to framing of laws and in favour of people and public welfare schemes.
Due to absence of quorum, important bills in House are being passed only after brief discussion.
This is affecting public welfare schemes. Because of this people’s trust in Parliamentary institutions is declining. He urged media to promote healthy journalism drawing inspiration from late Devliya.
Thakur said that questions are being raised about justification of legislative due to moral turpitude and decline in values under present circumstances.
Apprising about dangers to parliamentary procedure, he said that bills for welfare of the poor cannot be discussed properly due to repeated disruptions in proceedings of Parliament and Vidhan Sabha.
He urged public representatives to change this conduct, otherwise people will agitate against this.
He said that late Devliya never violated moral values of journalism. His conduct and life were saintly.Sharma said that roots of democracy have been strengthened during last 67 years.
Voters have safeguarded democracy by voting against bad governance, autocracy and corruption. He said that media is an alert sentinel of
democracy.
Vijaydutt Shridhar said that power is vested in people in democracy and they shape country’s destiny by using
it correctly.
He stressed the need to awaken people and find out a way to bring about positive changes.
At the outset, Shiv Anurag Pateriya threw light on the lecture series’ objectives. Bhargava felicitated Chhatarpur’s young journalist Ashish Khare with “Pratham Patrakarita Samman” instituted by late Bhuvan Bhushan Devliya Memorial lecture Series Committee.
The award carried Rs. 11 thousand, shawl and coconut. A souvenir was also released on the occasion.
late Devliya’s wife and coordinator of the lecture Series Kirti Devliya, Secretary Aparna Aliya, Anamika Joshi and Ashish Devliya were presented mementoes to guests. The programme was conducted by Vijay Manwani. Senior journalist Rajesh Sirothiya proposed a vote of thanks.