- Universities should nurture civic awareness and democratic responsibility
- Democracy thrives when citizens uphold rights and duties
- Technology must empower and educate voters, not just enhance convenience
- Speaker inaugurates three new academic programmes at O.P. Jindal Global University
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 21st Feb: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said universities must go beyond conferring degrees and serve as foundational pillars of nation-building, nurturing constitutional consciousness and civic responsibility among the youth.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of three major academic programmes launched by O.P. Jindal Global University at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, the Speaker emphasised that institutions of higher learning should prepare a generation imbued with the spirit of “Nation First”.
He observed that democracy is strengthened only when every citizen remains aware of constitutional values and conscious of both rights and duties. Referring to newly introduced subjects such as Political Communication, Election Management and Legislative Drafting, Birla described them as crucial in enhancing the quality of democratic processes and encouraging greater public participation in elections.
Highlighting India’s globally recognised electoral system, he called upon young scholars to undertake deeper research into election management to further strengthen transparency and credibility.
Birla underlined that technology should not be confined to improving administrative convenience but must also be harnessed to educate, inform and empower voters. In a diverse democracy like India, he noted, election management requires scientific rigour, neutrality and technical competence.
He also pointed to the role of the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in training legislators and officials from over 110 countries, showcasing India’s parliamentary traditions and expertise on the global stage.
Concluding his address, the Speaker expressed hope that the new academic initiatives would cultivate leadership, democratic awareness and public service values among students, contributing to stronger institutions and a more informed citizenry.
