Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant kicked off the Silver Jubilee of the Goa Assembly Complex in Porvorim on October 6. The four-day event, running through October 9, marks 25 years of legislative service for the building. It is not just a party; it is a structured review of the state’s democratic machinery.
Birla argued that the next quarter-century requires a distinct roadmap. He emphasized technology and innovation as tools to make the institution more accountable. “Goa’s Legislative Assembly has a distinctive identity,” Birla said, urging for a “last person” inclusion model. He specifically called for greater participation from youth and women in legislative processes.
Sawant grounded the celebration in historical context. He traced the journey from the Adil Shahi Palace to the current Porvorim complex. This shift mirrors Goa’s political evolution since statehood. Sawant honored former CMs Manohar Parrikar and Laxmikant Parsekar, linking past leaders to present welfare initiatives. He highlighted the ongoing transition to e-Assembly and paperless functioning as the logical next step.
The ceremony included the release of a Customized My Stamp, Special Cover, and a Commemorative Coffee Table Book. These artifacts document 25 years of legislative history. Speakers from Maharashtra and Karnataka, including Rahul Narwekar, attended to exchange best practices. The event serves as a platform for inter-state legislative dialogue.
The celebrations continue until October 9. The focus shifts from commemoration to concrete policy discussions. Organizers plan to engage students through the Students’ Parliament. The ultimate goal is a more accessible, tech-driven legislature for the coming decade.