Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla inaugurated the Silver Jubilee celebrations marking 25 years of the Goa Legislative Assembly Building on October 6, 2026. The event was attended by Goa Governor Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju and featured addresses from numerous dignitaries including Chief Minister Shri Pramod Sawant, Speaker Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, and Opposition Leader Shri Yuri Alemao.
In his address, Shri Birla emphasized that strong democracies are built on dialogue, diverse views, and meaningful public participation. He noted that legislatures serve as forums for discussion, debate, and exchange of diverse views, and democracy strengthens when there is space for both agreement and disagreement. India's democratic strength, he stated, derives from its institutions' ability to accommodate diverse opinions and viewpoints.
Birla highlighted technology's role in enhancing public understanding of legislative processes by enabling citizens to access information about rules, laws, policies, debates, and committee work. He called for greater transparency and accessibility to deepen the connection between legislatures and citizens, urging healthy competition among state legislatures in adopting innovations, sharing best practices in technology, legislative procedures, and institutional reforms.
The Speaker stressed the importance of youth participation in democratic institutions, noting that India's youth are at the forefront of technology, education, research, and innovation. Their involvement in legislative processes would contribute to better policy formulation. He welcomed Goa Legislative Assembly's four-day program highlighting the Goa Liberation Movement and the state's legislative journey as initiatives that connect young people with democratic institutions.
Birla acknowledged Goa's distinctive identity encompassing natural beauty, coastline, rich cultural heritage, and harmonious way of life. He congratulated present and former Chief Ministers, Speakers, Ministers, MPs, and MLAs who contributed to Goa's socio-economic development over 25 years. Goa's development journey was described as distinctive for simultaneously promoting industry, trade, tourism, and education while preserving heritage and natural environment—a challenging but important responsibility that has established Goa's distinct position in tourism, industry, and education while maintaining quality of life.
The Speaker urged that the Silver Jubilee serve not just as celebration of past achievements but as opportunity to envision the next 25 years. He called for the Goa Legislative Assembly to prepare a forward-looking roadmap aligned with the Viksit Bharat vision, with maximum participation of citizens, youth, and women. The next 25 years should focus on making democratic institutions stronger, more accessible, accountable, responsive, and results-oriented, with greater public participation making institutions more accountable to citizens.
During the event, Birla released a 'Customised My Stamp and Special Cover with Special Cancellation' featuring the Goa Legislative Assembly and Secretariat Building and felicitated eminent personalities. Speaker Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar delivered the welcome address, while Deputy Speaker Shri Joshua Peter De Souza delivered the words of gratitude.