Lok Sabha spokesman Om Birla, who is leading a delegation from India’s parliament to Mexico, unveiled a bust of freedom fighter Dr. Pandurang Khankhoje at Chapingo University in Mexico.
On this occasion, the speaker recalled that Dr. Pandurang Khankhoje was an outstanding Indian revolutionary, scholar, agronomist and statesman who was among the founding fathers of the Ghadar party.
While contributing to the agricultural prosperity of Mexico, he brought about socio-economic changes in the lives of millions of people.
Birla praised Khankhoje as a true inspiration for posterity that will continue to shape Mexico’s trajectory.
“At a time when one is reminded of martyrs like Dr. Khankhoje remembered and making efforts in India to bring her life’s journey as an inspiration to others, we made sure his memory will live forever for the people of India and Mexico by paying heartfelt tribute to him,” said the Speaker.
Birla also attended Chapingo University in Mexico, the oldest agricultural university in Latin America. dr Victor Villalobos, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Dr. Jose Ramirez, rector of the university, informed Birla about the workings of the agricultural university. The dignitaries discussed expanding trade in the agriculture and food processing sectors and harnessing innovation in these sectors in the two countries.
Later, Birla called on the President of the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico, Santiago Creel.
The two leaders discussed several matters of mutual importance.
Birla noted that historically India and Mexico have had close ties and Mexico was the first country to recognize India as an independent country in 1947.
Recalling that the discovery of Mexico for the modern world was the result of an expedition initiated to explore India, Birla noted that trade, economic and cultural ties between the two countries have steadily grown stronger.
Both countries also share best practices for strengthening parliamentary democracy in the world, Birla noted.
Mentioning the successful governance of India through democratic means, Birla said that the Indian Parliament is the epitome of the will and aspirations of the people of India. Noting that the Indian Parliament is working consistently to bring rapid socio-economic change to people’s lives, he said issues of public importance are raised in Parliament by members of both the ruling and opposition parties.
Despite all differences of opinion, there is consensus on questions of the common good. He added that parliamentary committees act as effective mechanisms to ensure executive accountability.
Noting that there are striking similarities between the civilizational and cultural journeys of India and Mexico, Birla praised the bonhomie in their multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies.
He also mentioned that both parliaments have concluded no less than 10 agreements, “which puts a heavy responsibility on us to further strengthen bilateral engagement”.
Birla stressed India’s commitment to becoming a developed nation by 2047 and said an action plan is ready in that regard.
He also visited the Parliament of Mexico and noted several similarities between the democratic traditions of India and Mexico. “It reinforced my belief that Parliament is a place for debate and discussion and for making policies that promote the well-being of the people. The last person in line should benefit from our laws and policies,” he said.
The speaker presented floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. He said that Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings across geography and time continue to guide us in the 21st century to a world built on the principles of equality, justice, peace and harmony.
Earlier, Birla had inaugurated the Indo-Mexican Friendship Garden in the Mexican parliament complex.
On this occasion he remarked that this Organic Friendship Garden is a living symbol of the strong friendship between India and Mexico.
He hoped that the India-Mexico Friendship Park, which symbolizes the vibrancy of relations between the two countries, would spread the energy and scent of democracy around the world.
This friendship garden will continue to be a symbol of the close ties between the citizens of both countries.
The spokesman also expressed his confidence that India-Mexico relations will continue to flourish “like the flowers of this garden”.
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