Parliament of India Lok Sabha : "SOUTH ASIA’S GEOGRAPHICAL AND ECONOMIC COMPLEMENTARITIES CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE" - SAYS LOK SABHA SPEAKER

Dhaka, 30 January 2016: Speaking at the Opening Session of the South Asian Speakers' Summit on 'Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals' in Dhaka today, Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Sumitra Mahajan said that the South Asia region, which is one of the most populous regions in the world, has immense potential for growth and development; at the same time, it has to face many challenges in realizing our goals. As Parliamentarians and as Speakers of the National Parliaments, it is their duty how to turn these challenges into opportunities for our peoples and also for the entire region, she felt.
Observing that the agenda of the Summit is a unique opportunity for the international community to redouble its commitment for ending poverty and hunger and to set the world on a path to sustainable and inclusive development, Smt Mahajan said that the larger goals of Sustainable Development are intertwined with the issues of regional connectivity and regional cooperation. South Asia has not only a shared history but also a shared cultural legacy. As such, South Asia's geographical and economic complementarities can be used to improve the lives of peoples in entire region, she opined.

Smt. Mahajan lauded the fact that India's stance that a universal agenda ought to be a differentiated one based on the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) has finally been endorsed by UN World Sustainable Development Summit in its outcome document. While India is determined about its commitment to promote sustainable development for its people and do its fair share for global sustainability, it is equally important to ensure sustained and greater international flow of financial and latest technological resources to the developing countries. In this context, she emphasized that the developed countries should take the lead in rapidly moving towards sustainable consumption and production patterns. She reiterated that India has always believed from the ancient times that there cannot be any sustainable development without nurturing the nature. Accordingly, since Independence, India has followed a path of sustainable growth. From the very beginning, we have pursued the dream of eliminating poverty and we stand vindicated that the same has now been highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goals as the SDGs commits to 'End Poverty in all its Forms Everywhere'. Similarly, the issues of food security, health, quality education, gender equality, etc. have always remained high on the developmental agenda of India.

In this context, she referred to some of the recent schemes launched India for promoting inclusion and social advancement. The initiative of 'Jan DhanYojana' or 'National Mission on Financial Inclusion' which aims at having a bank account for each household, is one example of empowering people through financial inclusion. The Beti Bachao / Beti Padhao or the scheme to protect and educate the Girl Child brings them at the focus of all development schemes. Make in India, Skill India and Digital India are some of the other schemes which will enable us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Smt Mahajan observed.

Smt Mahajan further opined that parliaments, being representative institutions have to play key role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The oversight and legislative functions of Parliaments need to be strengthened by focusing more on the Sustainable Development Goals, and by associating all stakeholders with the government-led development processes, she felt.