Debate, Dissension and Decision are essential in Parliamentary system of democracy: President

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], May 15 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said the three Ds - Debate, Dissension and Decision are essential in a Parliamentary system of democracy. He adding that democracy should provide for an enabling environment which helps every section of the society to fully participate in the process of governance. Delivering the first Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Memorial Lecture on the topic "History of Parliamentary Democracy in India today in Rajasthan's Jaipur, President Mukherjee presented the first Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Life Time Achievement Honour in Public Service to Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. Addressing the gathering, the President said he was honoured to be invited to deliver the inaugural Memorial Lecture instituted in memory of Shekhawat. The President stated that Shekhawat and he shared a long history of friendship. Both of them served together in the Rajya Sabha in the 1970s. Later, while Shekhawat was the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and the President was Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission, he had opportunity to see Shekhawat's extensive knowledge about problems being faced by citizens of Rajasthan, and his will to eradicate these day to day problems. He was deeply impressed by Shekhawat's commitment to the downtrodden and poor. The President also congratulated Chamling on being conferred the first Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Life Time Achievement Honour in Public Service. He said that Chamling has made unique contribution to the State of Sikkim which has emerged as a role model. In his Memorial Lecture, the President spoke about the History of Parliamentary Democracy in India. He said that he had outlined the history of representative Government for a specific purpose which was to underline the fact that if prominent legislators of pre-independence days with limited powers, could have done so much, how much more can be done by our MPs, MLAs and MLCs of today. (ANI)