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SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR (Ballia, U.P.) : Sir, I extend my heartiest congratulations to you on your election as Speaker. With your election the Parliament has added a bright chapter to its glorious history of its traditions. It has also proved that you would be unbiased and fearless.

The Hon. Prime Minister said that the country was passing through a difficult phase. The problems confronting us are complex. To solve these problems, Sir, we need the knowledge of ‘Gyaneshwari’ and the strength of ‘Bhawani’. But this knowledge and strength will be useful only if we are able to awaken the will-power of the crores of people of this country. It is the responsibility of Parliament to awaken this will-power and the onerous responsibility of conducting the proceedings of Parliament has fallen on your shoulders.

All of us are familiar with you. You possess the qualities of humbleness, self-discipline and wisdom. You are gentle, yet firm. You have the capability for guiding people. So I believe that you are best suited to fulfil this responsibility. As the new Speaker of this august House, you shall not only fulfil your responsibilities but also be a guiding light for the Parliament which has to complete the tasks before it. There is a lot of scope for conflict of ideas but the need of the hour is a joint effort towards finding new solutions to the long-standing problems of our country.

I am sure that your qualities of harmony, co-operation, discretion will provide us strength and the inspiration in achieving our goal and you will be bestowed with the energy to discharge your future responsibilities.

My best wishes to you.