New Delhi/Kota: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday virtually addressed the meeting of the VIth BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which was held on the theme “BRICS partnership in the interest of the global stability, general safety and innovative growth: parliamentary dimension.”
Speaking on the occasion, Birla said that BRICS countries need to intensify their collective fight against terrorism which poses the biggest threat to humankind. He added that, as people’s representatives, parliamentarians can no longer be silent bystanders and that they must unite to fight the challenges of terrorism and violent extremism.
He emphasized that the funding of all terrorist activities must be stopped immediately and the conditions that are conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism need to be addressed and resolved at the earliest.
He stressed that the Parliaments of BRICS countries must use international platforms to highlight their collective resolve to support all treaties and agreements that prevent terrorism.
Birla mentioned that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the tragic death of millions of innocent people, severe economic challenges and disruption of everyday life.
He added that if ever there was any greater need for international unity and cooperation then it is now.
Birla further said that, despite their differences, BRICS countries share a common vision of a just and fair world, free of poverty, hunger and disease and where every human being is born equal in dignity.
He added that BRICS countries have to ensure that the outbreak of the pandemic does not jeopardize the progress towards achievement of the Agenda 2030 of SDGs and that they remain committed to work together to achieve the goals of Zero hunger, poverty eradication and an inclusive and just world.
Sharing India’s experience and strategies to deal with the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, Shri Birla mentioned that the Government of India is implementing a 260 Billion Dollar economic stimulus package to address the challenge of empowerment of vulnerable sections and revival of agriculture, agri-business, MSMEs and other industries.
He observed that schemes like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self-Reliant India Mission) will go a long way in empowering the poor, farmers, urban working class and middle class.
He also referred to the fact that during the early days of the outbreak of the Pandemic, India quickly and successfully made cash transfers to vulnerable sections of the population based on the trinity of a Unique Identification Number (Aadhar), a Bank Account and a mobile connection.
Birla said that the Government of India also launched a ‘Garib Kalyan Rozar Yojana’, a comprehensive employment generation and rural development scheme for the benefit of people reeling under economic distress.
Birla also shared that in September 2020 the Indian Parliament held an in-person Session to enact many important legislations in order to ensure the safety of citizens and medical and healthcare workers – the corona warriors, and to strengthen the health care system, empower the farm sector and to promote financial stability.
Addressing the Forum, Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, MP said that the BRICS nations must come together in the global fight against terrorism with a comprehensive approach and without any double standards.
She also said that any differences between sovereign nations must be resolved peacefully through diplomacy.
Chairman of the VIth BRICS Forum and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia, HE Vyacheslav Volodin, and Presiding Officers of the Parliaments of Brazil, China and South Africa also addressed the Forum.
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