Rajya Sabha Launches ‘Prarambh’ for New MPs

• Rajya Sabha inaugurated the two-day orientation programme ‘Prarambh’ for newly elected and nominated members.
• Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan said Parliament is united by the Constitution, Nation First and Viksit Bharat 2047.
• He urged members to protect the sanctity of Question Hour and Zero Hour and minimise disruptions.
• The programme includes sessions on parliamentary procedures, AI and digital tools for legislators.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th July: Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday inaugurated the two-day orientation programme ‘Prarambh’ for newly elected and nominated members of the Upper House, urging legislators to remain committed to the Constitution, national development and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Addressing the inaugural session, Radhakrishnan said Parliament is united by “one document, the Constitution; one vision, Nation First (Rashtra Pratham); and one goal, Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” He said every policy framed, every question raised, every law enacted and every parliamentary debate has the potential to improve the lives of millions.

Congratulating the newly elected members, the Chairman noted that 67 members had entered the Rajya Sabha for the first time and appreciated their participation in the programme despite weekend commitments, calling it a reflection of their commitment to parliamentary responsibilities.

Describing the Rajya Sabha as the cornerstone of India’s federal democracy, Radhakrishnan said the House brings together diverse regional voices while strengthening national unity and integration.

He emphasised that legislators may differ politically but must remain united in their commitment to the Constitution and the people. Reiterating his parliamentary principle, he said, “Debates, discussions or even disruptions, it must always lead to a decision,” adding that disruptions without meaningful discussion do not serve democracy.

The Chairman stressed the importance of preserving the sanctity of Question Hour and Zero Hour, describing them as vital opportunities for individual members to hold the government accountable. He also advised members to thoroughly understand parliamentary procedures, particularly Rule 267, which he said should be invoked only in the rarest of rare circumstances and with the consensus of the House.

Radhakrishnan urged members to view public service as the true measure of leadership, saying respect is earned through service rather than electoral victories. He encouraged legislators to continuously upgrade their knowledge of legislative procedures, committee systems, budgetary processes and parliamentary ethics.

Highlighting Parliament’s growing use of technology, he said the orientation programme includes a first-of-its-kind hands-on workshop on digital tools and noted that AI-powered systems such as Vani Setu are already providing real-time multilingual interpretation in the Rajya Sabha chamber. He urged members to embrace Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to become future-ready lawmakers.

Earlier, Deputy Chairman Harivansh welcomed the participants and said the new members were entering Parliament during Amrit Kaal, giving them a historic opportunity to contribute towards building a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He said members have the responsibility to question the government, offer constructive criticism, raise issues of public importance and contribute meaningfully to the legislative process.

The two-day programme has been organised by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to familiarise newly elected and nominated members with parliamentary procedures, legislative responsibilities and emerging digital tools for effective functioning in the Upper House.