On the last day of the 17th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his valedictory remarks described its five-year tenure of as a “period of reform, perform, and transform” that propelled the country towards big changes, adding that the country “will bless the 17th Lok Sabha”.
“The country has moved towards big changes at a fast pace and all members of the House made an important contribution. Such works were completed for which people had waited for centuries,” said Mr. Modi. This is the last session of the Lok Sabha before the general election, which too was touched upon by Mr. Modi stating that it may make a few nervous but it was an essential aspect of democracy and “we will accept proudly”.
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He referred to the resolution on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya passed by the Lok Sabha, stating that the move would give “constitutional power to the generations to come to be proud of our values”.
He added that “for generations, people had dreamt of one Constitution but this House made that possible by removing Article 370”.
“These five years have been of reform, perform, and transform. It is rare that we reform, perform, and also see transformation. The country will keep blessing the 17th Lok Sabha,” he said.
The Prime Minister thanked MPs and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. “You [Mr. Birla] always had a smile on your face no matter what happens. You led this House in an impartial manner and I laud you for it. There were times of anger and accusations but you handled these situations with patience and ran the House wisely,” Prime Minister Modi said, hailing Mr. Birla.
Referring to the COVID pandemic, Mr. Modi said that during the last five years, the “biggest crisis of the century” was seen, and Mr. Birla made arrangements so that parliamentary work was not hampered while ensuring the dignity of the House.
“There used to be talk of the need for having a new building in earlier times but the decision of the Speaker made this a reality during the 17th Lok Sabha,” he said, adding that the ceremonial installation of the “sengol” (sceptre) in the House was also made under Mr. Birla’s leadership.
He said the 17th Lok Sabha saw 97% productivity. “We are moving towards the end of the 17th Lok Sabha and we resolve that the productivity should go beyond 100% in the 18th Lok Sabha,” Mr. Modi said.
He also hailed the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill and the criminalisation of instant triple talaq.
