C�wealth meet: India puts terrorism on table with democracy, progress

Delivering the inaugural address at Vigyan Bhawan, Patil cautioned the participants against terrorists equipped with modern technologies and extensive networks. �Terrorism,� Patil said, �has no justification whatsoever and no cause can be served by shedding the blood of innocent people�.

She told the delegates �it is imperative that we all take a firm and unequivocal stand against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations�. The President also called for collective action to fight poverty, hunger, disease and ignorance and steps for empowerment of women and reduction of child mortality rate.

Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Speaker of Malaysia�s House of Representatives Ramli Ngah Tabli also addressed the gathering.

Ansari advocated a new global order based on tenets of equality, harmony, tolerance, diversity and pluralism. He said parliamentary institutions are under pressure to meet challenges of sustainable development, inclusive growth and good governance. �The answer lies in seeking to strengthen and deepen the norms of participation and accountability,� he said.

Addressing the gathering, Chatterjee said: �There is a growing realisation that there is no better alternative to democracy for promoting good governance and for emancipating and empowering people.�

�The primacy of Parliament as the ultimate embodiment of people�s will as also its efficacy in ensuring accountability to the people at all times have also been reiterated in no uncertain terms,� the Speaker said. �As elected representatives of one-third of world�s population, the parliamentarians of the Commonwealth had to ensure development, which would take care of every segment of society,� he added.

Chatterjee also read out a message from Queen Elizabeth, patron of the organisation, wishing the delegates a productive conference.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi read out Prime Minister Manmohan Singh�s message to the delegates. Singh expressed hope that the meeting would address issues like mass poverty, climate change and terrorism.

The conference, scheduled to conclude on September 30, will focus on issues such as the role of parliamentarians, right to recall, accountability of parliamentarians, role, rights and responsibilities of the opposition on the agenda, besides sustainable development and environment protection.