Hon’ble Chairman Rajya Sabha, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the two-day Orientation Programme ‘Prarambh’ for the newly elected/nominated Members of the Rajya Sabha in the biennial elections of 2026 today. The inaugural function was attended by the Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh; Hon’ble Members of Parliament; Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha, Shri P.C. Mody, and senior officers of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

The two-day Orientation Programme began with a welcome address by Hon'ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh.  Shri Harivansh emphasized that new Members are entering the Parliament of India during 'Amrit Kaal'; and they can play a significant role in building a 'Viksit Bharat @2047' (Developed India @2047).

Shri Harivansh enlightened the new Members that they have the right to hold the Government accountable, offer constructive criticism, guide the Government onto the right path, and provide advice. New Members can seek answers from the Government, raise issues of public interest, and offer counsel on bills.

In his inaugural address, extending his heartiest congratulations to the newly-elected Members, the Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan noted that 67 Members have entered the August House for the first time. He appreciated their presence on a weekend despite public commitments in their respective States, stating that their attendance reflects a strong commitment toward discharging parliamentary responsibilities and strengthening democratic institutions.

Highlighting the unique character of the Upper House, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan described the Rajya Sabha as the cornerstone of India's federal democracy. He remarked that while the House brings together diverse regional voices, Members come together on the floor to strengthen national unity and integration.

He remarked that ‘we are united by one document - the Constitution; one vision - Nation First (Rashtra Pratham); and one goal—a Viksit Bharat @ 2047’.

Emphasizing the core philosophy of Parliamentary functioning, the Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan stated that while legislators may agree to disagree, there must be absolute commitment to the people and the Constitution, which serves as the common moral compass. Reiterating his key principle, he stated: “Debates, discussions or even disruptions, it must always lead to a decision.” He cautioned that disruptions failing to lead to a discussion toward a decision do not serve the right purpose.

Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan emphasized that Question Hour and Zero Hour provide vital opportunities to individual Members and their sanctity must be protected from disruptions.

The Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of acquiring thorough knowledge of the rules and procedures of the House and highlighted that before submitting a notice under Rule 267, understanding the Rule fully is very important. The Rule 267 should only be invoked in the rarest of rare situations and that too with the consensus of the House.

Addressing the responsibilities of public representatives, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan noted that while elections are won by votes, respect is earned through public service. He urged Members to remember that every question asked, every law enacted, every policy framed, and every debate participated in has the potential to transform lives. He stated that the present generation of legislators has been given the historical opportunity to fulfill the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 set by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, by driving progress and expanding opportunities for youth and rural families.

Sharing his personal parliamentary experience, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan underscored the power of legislative interventions. He recalled that during his tenure as a Member of the Lok Sabha and Convenor of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Textiles, the committee's hard work led to the recommendation and subsequent creation of the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) by the Central Government, which modernized the textile industry. He urged Members to dedicate themselves whole-heartedly to their roles, noting that even small suggestions during Zero Hour, Question Hour, or Committee meetings can yield major policy transformations.

On parliamentary preparation, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan advised Members to adopt a habit of continuous learning, sharing that he personally reviews the day's business and associated procedural rules before every sitting of the House. He encouraged Members to master legislative and budgetary processes, Committee systems, conventions, and parliamentary ethics.

Appreciating the Secretary-General and Secretariat officials for designing a comprehensive curriculum, Shri C.P. Radhkrishnan noted that the programme incorporates modern digital needs, including a first-of-its-kind hands-on workshop on IT tools. He emphasized that Parliament has entered the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, pointing out that AI-driven tools like Vani Setu now provide real-time interpretation in multiple languages inside the Rajya Sabha Chamber. He urged Members to actively adopt Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to remain future-ready.

Concluding his address, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan wished all newly-elected Members a fruitful Orientation Programme and an enriching legislative journey in the service of the nation.

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RKK

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