Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday described Bihar as the “Margdarshak” (guide) of India’s democratic journey and urged newly elected legislators to uphold the state’s rich democratic legacy by prioritising public service, constitutional values and good governance.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Orientation-cum-Training Programme for Members of the 18th Bihar Legislative Assembly at the Bihar Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (BIPARD) in Gaya, the Vice-President said democracy in India has deep historical roots and Bihar has played a defining role in shaping the nation’s democratic traditions.
Appreciating the initiative of the Presiding Officers of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, along with the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat, V-P Radhakrishnan said such orientation programmes strengthen democratic institutions by equipping legislators to discharge their constitutional responsibilities more effectively. Thanking the Speaker for organising the event in Gaya, he remarked that the initiative had symbolically “brought Patna to Gaya.”
Referring to the ancient republican traditions of Vaishali, V-P Radhakrishnan said India is rightly regarded as the “Mother of Democracy” and Bihar has been at the forefront of the country’s democratic evolution. Drawing inspiration from the land of Lord Buddha, he said public representatives are elected not to rule but to serve the people.
The Vice-President stressed that the vision of a developed India cannot be realised without the development of Bihar. “There can be no Viksit Bharat without Viksit Bihar,” he said, urging legislators to create opportunities that would transform Bihar into a hub for employment, investment and development while attracting workers from other states.
Recalling his association with the Sampoorna Kranti movement led by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, V-P Radhakrishnan said Bihar had played a historic role not only in India’s freedom struggle but also in defending democracy during the Emergency. He noted that the movement laid the foundation of his own political journey.
Highlighting the responsibilities of elected representatives, the Vice-President said elections may be contested on party lines, but governance must rise above political differences. “Elections are won by votes, but respect is earned through service, not power,” he said, adding that every law enacted, question raised and debate participated in has the potential to improve the lives of millions.
Emphasising constitutional values, V-P Radhakrishnan said differences of opinion are natural in a democracy, but commitment to the Constitution and public welfare must remain paramount. “Ideas may differ on the floor of the Assembly, but the Constitution must remain our common compass,” he said, noting that healthy debate strengthens democracy while constructive cooperation advances the nation.
The Vice-President also underlined the importance of parliamentary procedures, including Question Hour, Zero Hour and the Business Advisory Committee, saying these mechanisms provide legislators with valuable opportunities to raise issues concerning their constituents beyond party considerations.
Calling for continuous learning, he encouraged members to prepare thoroughly before participating in legislative proceedings and develop a deeper understanding of legislative procedures, committee systems and parliamentary conventions. He also urged legislators to embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing and digital legislative platforms like the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) to make legislative functioning more efficient, transparent and citizen-centric.
Drawing a comparison between politics and Test cricket, V-P Radhakrishnan said success in public life demands patience, perseverance and the ability to seize the right opportunities. Referring to the political journey of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he observed that despite once leading a government that lasted only seven days, he eventually became the state’s longest-serving Chief Minister.
Concluding his address, the Vice-President said a thoughtful intervention could change public policy, a well-crafted law could transform generations and a compassionate decision could restore hope to countless citizens. “The true measure of leadership is not the applause received inside the House, but the confidence inspired among the people outside it,” he said, wishing all members of the 18th Bihar Legislative Assembly a productive orientation programme and a successful legislative journey.
Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Speaker Dr. Prem Kumar, Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Deputy Speaker Narendra Narayan Yadav, members of the Bihar Legislature and other dignitaries attended the programme.
