Summary:
Shimla, Nov 18 (PTI) India has very old democratic values and they did not come from the Britishers, Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said here on Thursday.
Even the term “Vidhan Sabha” figures in ancient writings of the country which has very old democratic values, he said while addressing the centenary conference of All India Presiding Officers of various legislative bodies of the country.
The first such conference of the central legislative assembly during British rule was held in Shimla itself hundred years ago in 1921 from September 14 to 16.
The conference was attended by a total of 378 dignitaries including Lok Sabha speaker Om Prakash Birla, Union minister Anurag Thakur, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh besides speakers and duty speakers of 36 states legislative assemblies and councils.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the inaugural session of the conference digitally on Wednesday.
Addressing the valedictory session of the conference, Arlekar said democratic values are very old in our country and they did not come from the Britishers.