No. 4 Thursday, 7 January 2010 Conference Concludes The 20th Conference of Speakers of the Presiding Officers of the TODAY’S WEATHER FOR DELHI and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth fraternity to discuss Commonwealth, which was Fog in the morning. Mainly clear sky. The issues and exchange views has helped temperature may vary between a minimum of inaugurated by the Prime Minister of in acquiring a deeper perspective into 5°C (41°F) and 7°C (45°F) and a maximum India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh on the problems and challenges faced by of 19°C (66°F) and 21°C (70°F). The relative humidity will be in the range of a minimum of 5 January 2010, concluded yesterday. them in conducting the parliamentary 35% to 45% and a maximum of 80% to 90%. The Lok Sabha Speaker and the proceedings. Chairperson of the CSPOC, Smt. Meira parliamentary democracy across the Kumar, in her concluding remarks, said The Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha Commonwealth Parliaments. The that there were meaningful discussions complimented the CSPOC for nurturing success of the Commonwealth will go in the Plenary Sessions, the Workshops and cherishing the values and ideals a long way in the global community’s and the Regional Caucus Meetings on of parliamentary democracy in the efforts at strengthening democracy in various issues which have a bearing Commonwealth during all these its commitment to make the world a on the efficient and efficacious forty years with utmost devotion and better place to live in, she stressed. functioning of the Commonwealth sincerity. The New Delhi Conference, Parliaments. Smt. Meira Kumar also she said, has further reinforced The Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha observed that the coming together and reinvigorated the sentinels of expressed her profound gratitude

The Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairperson of the CSPOC, Smt. Meira Kumar, making her Concluding Remarks The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa, H.E. Mninwa Mahlangu, speaking at the Concluding Session

to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, for inaugurating the Conference. She thanked the Standing Committee of the CSPOC; the Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri K. Rahman Khan; the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Kariya Munda; the Executive Committee of the Indian Parliamentary Group and various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India for their cooperation at every stage in organizing the Conference. The Lok Sabha Speaker also appreciated the hard work and the commitment of the officers and staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat under the leadership and guidance of Shri P.D.T. Achary, Secretary- General of Lok Sabha and the Secretary- General of the Conference for the meticulous planning and successful organization of the Conference. She also thanked each and everyone associated with the organization of the Conference for making it a great success.

On the occasion, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa, Mr. Mninwa Mahlangu, said that he was overwhelmed with the warmth and hospitality extended to all the Distinguished Delegates who had gathered in New Delhi. The Delegates had come with high expectations of the warm Indian hospitality and the hosts had outdone that, he said. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Smt. Meira Kumar, addressing the media at the end of the CSPOC; also seen in the picture is the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Shri P.D.T. Achary Press Conference by the Lok Sabha Speaker The Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairperson of the CSPOC, Smt. Meira Kumar, addressed the Media immediately after the Closing Plenary yesterday at the Vigyan Bhawan. She told the assembled media persons of the important deliberations at the Conference and the significant points that emerged out of the discussions. Later, the Hon’ble Speaker answered questions from the media about the Conference and its varied activities.

Workshop on The Speakers’ Role as a Mediator The important points that emerged out • This parliamentary device should parliamentary device is judiciously of the deliberations at this Workshop emerge as a proactive mechanism used. which was held on 5 January are: of interface between the elected representatives of the people and There was unanimity among all the Parliamentary Questions the Government, with the primary participants at the Workshop that the objective of resolving the issues/ Speaker’s role is pivotal in safeguarding • The parliamentary device of asking problems of the citizens. the pride and prestige of the legislative questions on the floor of the House bodies. The attributes of impartiality is a very potent and effective Points of Order and neutrality and the very standing of mechanism available with the • This is yet another important the Presiding Officer tend to raise the elected representatives of the parliamentary device in the hands stature of the Office of the Speaker/ people for eliciting responses from of the elected representatives. Presiding Officer. The Speaker truly the Government. It can be effectively resorted to acts as a bridge between the people • Consequently, the time allotted for point out procedural irregularities, and the elected representatives on taking up questions is of immense so much so that when a point of the one side and the Government on significance which has to be order is raised, the Member/ the other. This exalted status carries gainfully and effectively utilized. Minister or even the Prime Minister with it the onerous responsibility of who is on the floor will have to measuring up to the expectations of • The Presiding Officer has a crucial yield. On the other hand, instances the people. That is why the position role in ensuring that the question are not wanting where this device and the stature of the Speaker/ time/question hour is utilized is resorted to by Members just to Presiding Officer is unmatched in a to its optimum and also that interrupt the Member or Minister parliamentary democracy. the responses by the Ministers in midstream or to make out some are specific and relevant to the The presentation of the Report was point which the Member raising the questions asked. What is important followed by an active interaction Point of Order could have raised is to secure governmental or in the Plenary held yesterday. The even otherwise. Executive accountability to the Hon’ble Mr. Mninwa Mahlangu, Legislature through the procedure • It is incumbent upon the Presiding Chairperson, National Council of of parliamentary questions. Officer to ensure that this Provinces, South Africa, pointed

Dignitaries at the CSPOC Dignitaries at the CSPOC out that the parliamentary device Representatives, Malta, noted that the in effectively handling the question of asking questions on the floor of Speaker as a mediator implies much time and allowing as many as 72 the House is very important and more significance than just regulating questions in a day, the Hon’ble Speaker an effective mechanism for the the House. The Speaker has a moral of Lok Sabha and the Chairperson of electorate to take the Government to authority to make the House truly CSPOC, Smt. Meira Kumar, said that it task. Citing the practice pertaining to representative of the people. Hon’ble is indeed a record. the National Assembly, the Gambia, Stephen Charles Rodan SHK, Speaker, Hon’ble Elizabeth F.Y. Renner, House of Keys, Isle of Man, was of the Summing up the discussion, the Chairperson of the Workshop, Hon’ble Speaker, observed that Speakers/ view that it is the Speaker’s prerogative Hari Narayen Ramkarran, Speaker, Presiding Officers should strictly to decide whether an answer be National Assembly, Guyana, felt that observe the Standing Rules. On the denied on the pretext of maintaining mediation also relates to balancing question that the answer should be public interest or not. Hon’ble the interests of members and the brief and specific, the Hon’ble Sylvia Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker, National Government. There are wide variety Lloyd Heal, Deputy Speaker, House Assembly, Pakistan, highlighted the of rules and practices prevailing in of Commons, United Kingdom, added evolving role of the Speakers/Presiding different countries as well as a wide that answers should be not only Officers in developing consensus, and array of approaches which allow the specific but also relevant. On this, also in leading the efforts towards Speakers/Presiding Officers to use Rt. Hon’ble Baroness Hayman, Lord parliamentary diplomacy. The Hon’ble their influence in the conduct of the Speaker, House of Lords, said that the Presiding Officers of Australia, Malawi, business of the House. Since they do question time is the time for exposing Guernsey, Jersey and Canada also have an important role in the society, ideological and political differences participated in the discussion. and are seen as persons who preside as well as extracting information. over people’s interests, they require Intervening in the discussion, Hon’ble Commending the measures taken by to maintain the highest level of Dr. Louis Galea, Speaker, House of Hon’ble Speaker Smith of New Zealand dignity, he added.

Workshop on The Use of Technology in the Parliamentary Context

The main points that came out of the • The sanctity of the debating • The use of ICT must be encouraged Workshop held on 5 January are: Chambers must be maintained at but it must be used in a responsible all costs, while making the best way to access its benefits without • Information and Communication use of ICT. impinging on the sanctity of the Technologies which are emerging House. every day are required to be used • The use of laptops or other hand– by the public representatives in held devices should not be allowed The discussion in the Plenary Session the best possible manner so as to in the House as they may influence yesterday on the theme began with remain in constant touch with the the decisions of the legislator while the presentation of the Workshop people. participating in the proceedings. Report by the Hon’ble Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore. Several by outside elements, etc., were Malta, carried the discussion forward Delegates affirmed what was endorsed some of the negative aspects pointed by not only endorsing the use of in the Workshop that Parliaments out. The discussion was enriched by technology but also encouraging and parliamentarians should learn to interventions and contributions made Parliaments and parliamentarians make use of technological advances, by the distinguished participants from to adapt to the changes brought especially in the ICT sector, to the Isle of Man, Jersey, The Bahamas, about by technology. He asserted connect with their constituents and to India, Namibia, Australia, Malta, that if they do not adapt to such facilitate a more efficient discharge Nigeria, the UK, Zambia, The Gambia changes, a gap between Parliament of their duties. and Canada. and the public will be created as the The main thrust of the discussion was Of all the Parliaments that reported technological devices have become on whether technological devices the situation in their own cases, an extended part of the personality such as laptops, Blackberrys and other Canada turned out to be the only of the younger generation. ICTs and means of communication, should Parliament that allows the use other technological tools and devices be used within the Chambers of of laptops and other handheld should be used to make the activities Parliament. While several Delegates communication gadgets inside the of Parliament more accessible to confirmed that their Parliaments Chambers of Parliament. The Hon’ble the people, their websites more allow the use of handheld gadgets, Speaker, House of Commons, Canada, interactive, etc., without disturbing especially Blackberrys, mobile phones affirmed that their Parliament has the sanctity of the Houses of and in some cases laptops, inside the been rewired to allow members to plug Parliament as debating forums. Chambers of Parliament to allow the into the internet inside the Chambers members to access information and of Parliament. Some Parliaments The discussion was summed up by the stay connected with their constituents, reported the use of Blackberrys and remarks made by the Hon’ble Deputy the distractions and disruptions that mobile phones inside the Chambers Chairman, Rajya Sabha, India, who, such intrusive gadgets caused to other but not laptops, while several others while asserting that Parliaments should members and the proceedings of the said that such gadgets are strictly retain their quintessential nature House were pointed out by several disallowed inside the Chambers. as debating forums, endorsed and others. The common refrain was that The Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, encouraged the adoption of ICTs and though technological tools and devices Rajya Sabha, India, one of the main other technological tools to assist in the may be allowed to assist members presenters in the Workshop, pointed smooth and transparent functioning of in their efficient discharge of their out that in the Indian Parliament, Parliament and the efficient discharge duties, the sanctity of Parliament as handheld communication gadgets, of duties by parliamentarians. The the highest debating forum should including laptops, Blackberrys and view was endorsed by the Workshop not be compromised. Issues such mobile phones, are not only disallowed Chair who remarked that while as distraction caused by noises, but that signal jammers are used to the march of technology cannot be engagement with business other than render such gadgets ineffective inside stopped, its use has to be judiciously that is before the House at any given the Chambers of Parliament. point of time, real time influence on determined so as not to disturb the members’ opinion while being in the An intervention from the Hon’ble sanctity of Parliament as the forum House through communication gadgets Speaker, House of Representatives, for democratic debate.

Dignitaries at the CSPOC Workshop on The Role of Speaker in the Administration of Parliament

The main point that emerged out of subject to the same procedure as the the Committee on Public Enterprises the Workshop on this theme held on budget of other Ministries. Hon. Edward include eminent economists as 5 January was the consensus that Ssekandi Kiwanuka, Speaker of the members. the most important factor when Parliament of Uganda, referred to the looking at the role of the Speaker in amendment of the Uganda Constitution Summing up, the Speaker of the administration of Parliament is since 1995 and said that since then, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar, observed trust, which should be gained in all the Parliament has enjoyed financial that the role of the Speaker in the respects while performing various autonomy. Presently, Parliament administration of the Parliament is functions — whether they pertain to prepares its budget which is sent to connected to the supremacy of the financial or administrative matters or the President for comments. Insofar Parliament. The Constitution enjoins matters pertaining to the conduct of as the administration of Parliament on the Speaker certain administrative the House. The respect given by the is concerned, the Parliament enjoys and financial autonomy. On the Speaker to the members of the House autonomy in the recruitment of its administrative aspects, she mentioned is very important in facilitating the staff, though the Clerk is appointed that the Parliament Secretariats have smooth conduct of the business of the by the President. their own recruitment rules. The House. staff and officers are provided with Taking part in the discussion, necessary training inputs for their The presentation of the Report of the Hon. Kenneth Otiato Marende, the capacity building. As regards the Workshop on The Role of Speaker in Speaker of the National Assembly of the Administration of Parliament was Kenya, observed that the role of the budget, she said that the Secretariat followed by an interesting discussion. Speaker goes beyond regulating the of the Lok Sabha is primarily Participating in the discussion session, debate and the Speaker is answerable responsible for the preparation of Hon. Mninwa Mahlangu, Chairperson to the Parliament and the nation. the budget estimates of the House. of the National Council of Provinces Hon. Elizabeth F.Y. Renner, Speaker of These estimates are placed before the of South Africa, dwelt on two aspects the National Assembly of The Gambia, Committee appointed by the Speaker. of the Budget of Parliament, strategic said that in her country, Parliament is Once the Speaker gives approval, planning and auditing of the Budget. responsible for scrutinizing the overall these are forwarded to the Ministry of He said that unlike in India, in South estimates of the Government; the Finance for incorporation in the Union Africa the Budget of Parliament is Committee on Public Accounts and Budget.

Former Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri Shivraj V. Patil, M.P.; Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Smt. Sushma Swaraj; and Chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Board and former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Shri L.K. Advani, at the Inaugural Function of the CSPOC Images from the Conference Images from the Conference Agra: The City of the Taj !

Distinguished Guests, you are now aboard the Special Train in action for a long span of 22 years, the magnificent edifice on way to Agra, the city made immortal by the Taj Mahal in marble and sandstone came up on the shores of the river which has retained its exalted status as one of the Seven Yamuna. Wonders of the World. But let us tell you that Agra also The Taj has attracted travellers to India for centuries has a rich and varied history going beyond the Taj. The city and continues to be a great attraction for tourists, both finds mention in the Mahabharata, the popular Indian epic Indian and foreign. It is a monument that needs to be dating back to the 3rd century B.C., where it was referred experienced and observed at different times of the day to as the Agrabana or the Paradise City. The city came to from far and near to get the feeling of the exquisite beauty prominence in the 16th and 17th centuries during the reign that it evokes. The Taj is at its glorious best on a full moon of the Mughals when their capital alternated between Agra night. and Delhi. Today, while Delhi reigns as the capital city of India, Agra reigns over a glorious past created by history and We recall fondly the exhilarating experiences of some of a people skilled in craftsmanship, art and architecture. our earlier honoured guests who also were fascinated by the timeless and elegant Taj during the previous Conferences. The state of architecture in India acquired a new momentum The Taj stands out majestically yet mutely, wishing every during the Mughal rule. With the arrival of Akbar, the visitor well with a calm and dignified demeanour. It has Mughals set in motion an unparalleled building activity. All seen centuries of time pass by, millions of visitors come by, that was best in the building tradition of India came to remaining undisturbed and unperturbed. life, with Shah Jahan taking the Mughal architecture to its climactic best in the Taj Mahal. To some, the Taj Mahal is It is often said that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder just an over-rated and over-iced wedding cake. To others, and many of us tend to agree. But that is only till we see it is a sublime experience to be ranked with the Pyramids of the Taj Mahal. Once there, we know we have been wrong Egypt, the Palace of Versailles, or the Parthenon of Athens all along. Beauty lies in the object seen and not just in as the aesthetic epitome of a rich civilization. And to many the eyes of the beholder. Eyes can be prejudiced but not others, it is simply the greatest love story ever told. objects. The Taj is one such object. It is not merely a thing of beauty bringing joy for ever. It is, in the words Arjuman Banu, the niece of Jahangir’s queen, Nur Jahan, of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, ‘a resplendent was the second wife of Emperor Shah Jahan. After marriage and immortal tear-drop of love on the cheek of time by a in 1612, she took on the name by which she became famous bereaved husband to his beloved wife’. in history — Mumtaz Mahal. She bore him fourteen children We are sure you will enjoy your visit to this great monument and it was in childbirth that she died. A grieving Shah and cherish beautiful memories for a long time to come. Jahan vowed to build her a memorial surpassing anything the world had ever seen in elegance and beauty and, it TODAY’S WEATHER FOR AGRA must be said, in wild extravagance. Indeed, the Taj is a Partly cloudy, becoming mainly clear sky. Fog/Mist in the morning. The poem of love in marble which is unparalleled in the world. temperature may vary between a minimum of 6°C (43°F) and 8°C (46°F) and a With craftsmen brought from as far away as Persia, Turkey, maximum of 20°C (68°F) and 22°C (72°F). The relative humidity will be in the range of a minimum of 35% to 45% and a maximum of 80% to 90%. France and Italy, and with a huge army of 20,000 labourers Post-Conference Tour to Agra

Delegates, their Spouses and accompanying persons will The Special Train will comprise 5 Coaches numbering be visiting the historical city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh on A 1 to A 5 meant for the Delegates. In order to make their a post-Conference tour today, by a Special Train. The journey comfortable and enjoyable, Coach Number has Delegates will visit Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal in Agra been allotted to the each Delegation in the Special Train as as per following programme: well as in the bus coaches in Agra as below:

Thursday, 7 January, 2010 DELEGATIONS FROM FOREIGN AND TRAIN AGRA BUS 0645 Hrs. All Delegates assemble in the Foyer of INDIAN STATE LEGISLATURES COACH COACH the Hotels NO. NO. 0650 Hrs. Delegates leave Hotels for Safdarjung Railway Station Botswana, Gibraltar, Malawi, Maldives, Malaysia, New Zealand, 0710 Hrs. Delegates arrive at Safdarjung Railway Station Seychelles, Sierra Leone A-1 1 & 2 0730 Hrs. Depart Safdarjung Railway Station for Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Agra Cantt. by Special Shatabdi Train Haryana (Breakfast on board) 1005 Hrs. Arrive Agra Cantt. Railway Station Australia, The Bahamas, Jersey, Kenya, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United 1015 Hrs. Leave Agra Cantt. Railway Station for Kingdom Fatehpur Sikri A-2 3 & 4 1100 Hrs. Arrive Fatehpur Sikri Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra — Visit Fatehpur Sikri

1215 Hrs. Depart from Fatehpur Sikri Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha 1300 Hrs. Arrive Agra (Hotel Jaypee Palace) Secretary-General, Lok Sabha Secretary-General, CPA 1330 Hrs. Lunch hosted by the Hon. Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, and Hon. Speaker Canada, Mauritius, Namibia, Pakistan A-3 5 & 6 of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly at Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Hotel Jaypee Palace Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal 1430 Hrs Depart Hotel Jaypee Palace for Taj Mahal 1445 Hrs. Arrive Taj Mahal Guyana, Lesotho, Malta, Samoa, South — Visit Taj Mahal Africa, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia A-4 7 & 8 1645 Hrs. Depart Taj Mahal for Agra Cantt. Railway Assam, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab Station 1700 Hrs Arrive Agra Cantt. Railway Station Bangladesh, British Virgin Islands, Ghana, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Kiribati, 1730 Hrs. Depart for Delhi by Special Shatabdi Train Nauru, Nigeria, Saint Vincent and the 2020 Hrs. Arrive Delhi Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago A-5 9 & 10 2040 Hrs. Arrive respective hotels — Dinner at respective hotels Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, (by coupons) Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttarakhand

The Special Train will leave from New Delhi Safdarjung Delegates are requested to kindly take their seats in the Railway Station at 0730 hrs. and is expected to arrive back designated Coach only. the same evening at about 2020 hrs. In view of the limited capacity in the Special Train, the tour All the Delegates/Clerks/Secretaries-General/spouses is restricted to registered Delegates, Clerks/Secretaries and registered accompanying persons are requested and their Spouses from foreign countries and Presiding to assemble in the Foyer of the respective hotels at Officers and Secretaries from Indian Legislatures and their 0645 hrs. The coaches from hotels will leave at 0650 hrs. spouses. The Liaison Officers attached with the Delegations have Delegates may kindly note that the venue for the Lunch at also been advised accordingly. Agra has been changed to Hotel Jaypee Palace from Hotel Clarks Shiraz, as intimated earlier. Presiding Officers and Secretaries from Indian State Legislatures and their spouses may kindly reach Safdarjung We wish you a happy, enjoyable and comfortable journey Railway Station directly by 0710 hrs. to the city of the Taj! Fatehpur Sikri

The average traveller on a trip south from Delhi tends to shut his camera case after capturing the Taj Mahal. We hope you will not make this mistake. About 40 km. from Agra, is a perfectly preserved city built on a small hill called Sikri. It is a sleeping beauty and its entire history sounds like a fairy tale. The tale began when a desperate Akbar, since he had no heir, visited a holy man, Shaikh Salim Chisti, who lived in a small village. The Shaikh blessed Akbar and the Emperor was soon blessed with a son, whom he named Salim (Jahangir). A grateful Akbar decided to move his capital to the village of Shaikh Salim Chisti, popularly known as Fatehpur Sikri. It is a town complete with caravan, serais, gardens, courtyards and bath houses, besides the Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) and the Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Special Audience). There is a sublime beauty in the architecture of Fatehpur Sikri which, we hope, will fascinate all of you.

Distinguished Delegates!

From the Bulletin Desk However, the Reports presented by the it, if flashy gadgets like Blackberries respective Chairmen of the Workshops and Laptops make their way into the Well, nothing lasts forever! All things to the Concluding Plenary and the Houses, then Legislative Chambers come to an end. Alas, including good ensuing discussions which afforded would look like Call Centres and not th things like the 20 Conference of the an opportunity across the board to like debating forums which they are Speakers and Presiding Officers of the participate somewhat made up for the supposed to be. While we cannot stop Commonwealth! The CSPOC came to loss of opportunity to participate in the march of technology, the sanctity a successful conclusion yesterday. It the Workshops. In the first Workshop, of the Chamber as the highest forum is time for the Bulletin, your friendly the role of the Speaker as a mediator of democratic debate cannot be companion over the past four days, to came in for a detailed analysis over compromised with, whatever may be bid a warm adieu to you. It is hoped the genesis of the institution of that you enjoyed reading the Bulletin the trends and temptations. There is Speaker. Today, in the era of intensely as much as we enjoyed bringing it to also the contrary view that we need competitive politics, the Speaker you each morning since your arrival in to brace ourselves up to face the graduated from the role of a regulator, New Delhi. inevitable than be cowered down by to the position of a mediator who the profound strides made by science The Conference deliberated on weighty would make orderly discussion possible and technology. subjects having a mighty significance by providing for a level playing field for the functioning of Parliaments to various Parties and Groups in the The third Workshop on the role of the across the Commonwealth fraternity. House, thereby ensuring a fair play Speaker as administrator of Parliament The atmosphere was informal, the of the game. The Question Hour came in for a lucid deliberation as ambience amiable and the exchanges came in for an animated discussion in it is a subject that concerns the enlivening and enlightening, both in which all the Distinguished Delegates community of Speakers and Presiding the Workshops on the first day as well unanimously agreed that the principle Officers directly on a day-to-day as at the Concluding Plenary yesterday. of public interest must be the guiding basis. The administrative autonomy The discussions were based on spirit of parliamentary questions and of the Speaker over Parliament and practical experiences obtaining across subsequent discussions. its Secretariat is closely linked to our Parliaments. As one perceptive the supremacy of Parliament to Speaker observed, the themes of the The second Workshop on the use Workshops are so captivating one felt of technology in the parliamentary oversee the work of the Government rather constrained to participate in context elicited very interesting which emanates from Parliament and all of them as they ran simultaneously. exchange of views based on the which is accountable to Parliament. One had to miss two to make it to one! prevailing trends in Parliaments Therefore, the authority of the Speaker But, all the themes were, indeed, following the relentless invasion over the administrative machinery interesting and educative, having a of information technology into our of Parliament should necessarily be great relevance for the Speakers and lives. As the Hon. Bailiff of Jersey, free from Executive control if the Presiding Officers. Mr. Michael Birt had succinctly put institution of Parliament has to fulfill its constitutional mandate of being a Railways, Shatabdi, it is time to tell deep-felt gratitude over the warmth watchdog to ensure that governance is the first timers amongst you a thing of the famed Indian hospitality which carried on in accordance with the will or two about the Taj Mahal before made the chill rather light! of the people who are the ultimate you actually get to see the wonder. masters in a democracy. There was Admittedly, it is the most magnificent At the Bulletin Desk, we are sure a remarkable consensus across the statement of love ever made by a that you will carry pleasant memories board on this particular theme among doting husband, Emperor Shah Jahan of your visit to India. The Bulletin is the Delegates! to Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife winding up with a sense of fulfillment. We are told by several Delegates that But, as we promised on day one, the and sweet heart, a rare coincidence, we have served you well! Several hectic schedule of the first day was indeed! As you yourself will experience made light in the evening with a in a short while, the amazing thing others told us how enthralled they delightful cultural programme which about the Taj is that it appears rather were with the content and the quality gave a glimpse of the grace and glory suddenly, not being visible from a of the Bulletin. We are honoured, of our rich cultural heritage and distance. When you arrive at the even humbled by your enthusiastic an amazing diversity. The visit to site, the Taj is simply there standing support. Appreciation is the elixir of Parliament House yesterday has given majestically and wishing the visitors in excellence! Praise is the potion for you some inkling of the monumental profound silence. Millions of visitors, perfection! Indeed, we have enjoyed effort that had gone into planning, big and small, have come and gone, bringing out the Bulletin each morning designing and building such a grand but its charm and elegance, grace and as much as you enjoyed reading it. But, structure which is a testimony to the grandeur, magic and majesty remained we promise to search for our lapses, if harmony between Western architecture intact over the centuries. Perhaps, any. And we will do better the next and Indian heritage. It was constructed the Taj itself is unaffected by all the time. It is time for the Bulletin to go at a time when building technology attention it receives as an inscrutable into hibernation. It is winter anyway. in the modern sense of the term was smile remains suspended on its face A nice coincidence! perhaps rudimentary, to say the least. much like the mysterious smile on the But, the Parliament House, one of the face of Mona Lisa! Finally, the Bulletin Desk takes significant architectural landmarks of pleasure to wish the community of the Capital, has stood the test of time With the visit to Agra, the Conference Speakers and Presiding Officers of the bravely and graciously, as you would Commonwealth, their Spouses and have realised! formally comes to a close as the business sessions have already accompanying persons (belated) New As you travel to the historic city concluded yesterday. It is an Year Greetings and a bon voyage. of Agra by the most modern and experience of business with pleasure, the fastest of trains of the Indian as several Delegates expressed their Have a nice day! Art India, New Delhi Printed by Jainco