Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, addressing a gathering at the Mahavir Foundation on the theme ‘Samvaad Se Samadhaan’, emphasized the enduring relevance of Lord Mahavir’s teachings and their alignment with India’s democratic ethos. He underlined dialogue, ethical living, and non-violence as essential responses to the world’s growing instability, asserting that peace and mutual respect offer the only sustainable path to global harmony.
Birla said Lord Mahavir’s principles of compassion and self-discipline remain deeply relevant even 2,500 years after they were first delivered, promoting introspection and ethical conduct as a way of life. He noted that in times of conflict and confrontation, Mahavir’s philosophy provides a practical guide to conflict resolution.
Reflecting on India’s democratic journey, the Speaker declared that democracy is not an imported idea but rooted in the country’s ancient traditions of public discourse and consensus-driven governance. Celebrating 75 years of the Constitution, he reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s belief that democracy is the soul of India and highlighted Parliament’s role as a forum for cooperation and diversity of opinion.
Birla urged a renewed appreciation of India’s twin legacies—its deep democratic foundations and its spiritual traditions of peaceful engagement—as models for a fractured world to follow. He was joined at the event by Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde, MP Milind Deora, and other dignitaries.
