New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the country should reject those who mock the institutions of democracy though many people often feel frustrated by the disruption of Parliament.
"We are not a perfect democracy but we are a functioning democracy with mechanisms and safeguards that allow for the reconciliation of diverse interests and differences.
"It is the vitality and vibrancy of our democracy that keeps the nation united and moving on the path of progress," he said addressing a function to commemorate the 60th anniversary of first sitting of Parliament.
Noting that many people often feel frustrated by disruption of Parliament, Singh said, "in our own way, each one of us shares the blame for this state of affairs."
However, he said the country was proud that both the Houses of Parliament have often burnt the proverbial midnight oil to discuss and debate some of the most important issues that concern the people of India and the world.
"We should firmly reject those who would mock the institutions of democracy that have developed over decades of experience," he said in an apparent reference to the civil society campaign in the last one year attacking Parliament and Parliamentarians.
The function, attended by leaders of major parties, former and sitting MPs, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, was held in the Central Hall of Parliament.
Four members of the first Parliament -- Rishang Keishing (now a member of the Rajya Sabha), Reshamlal Jangde (Chhattisgarh), Kandala Subramaniam (Andhra Pradesh) and K Mohan Rao (Andhra Pradesh) -- were honoured on the occasion by President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister and Speaker Meira Kumar.
The Prime Minister said it is a matter of great pride that Parliament has debated and approved some of the most progressive legislations anywhere in the world such as those relating to right to information, education and guaranteed employment for rural poor.
Recalling the great debates in both the Houses of Parliament that have stirred the imagination of the people, he said "unfortunately, the number of serious discussions in Parliament has declined in recent years.
"We have to revive this tradition of reasoned and constructive debate in Parliament on the issues of the debate. That is the only way to earn the people's respect, lead public opinion and provide media with serious content that will raise the level of public discourse as in other mature democracies."
Singh said Indian Parliament stands as a unique representation of the values that created India -- of unity in diversity, secularism, of pluralism and of the rule of law.
"How we conduct ourselves, how Parliament conducts itself, is therefore, a way of showing respect to these values and to the memories of those who created and built this symbol of freedom and dignity.
"Each one of us owes it to those who sent us here to not only represent their views and interests, but to do so with dignity, compassion and decorum," he said.
He said as the country marks the 60th anniversary of Parliament he sincerely hoped that "life will begin anew" for Parliament and people. "I pray that the years ahead for our nation will be productive, peaceful and prosperous."
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