Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Smt. Surama Padhy will embark on an international visit from October 5 to 19 to participate in the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference and the 9th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference.
Addressing media representatives today, Speaker Padhy emphasised that this engagement will further strengthen the glorious traditions of Indian parliamentary practices.
The CPA comprises 56 member countries, with India being one of the largest nations among them. The Indian delegation, led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, includes Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Members of Parliament, Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and Secretaries from 22 states.
Key Itinerary
According to the Speaker’s itinerary, she will depart from Bhubaneswar to Delhi on October 5 and proceed via London, arriving in Barbados on October 6. From October 6 to 11, she will be based in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, actively participating in various sessions of the CPA and CWP conferences, where she will deliver addresses on key topics.
On October 7, Speaker Padhy will join the plenary session of the 68th CPA Conference and the 9th CWP Conference, speaking on “Good Practices and Strategies for Achieving Gender Sensitivity in Parliaments within the Commonwealth.”
On October 8, she will contribute to discussions on “The Commonwealth: A Global Partner” and “From Beijing+30 to Parliament: Progress, Challenges, and Pathways for Gender Equality.” Additionally, she will present her views on “Empowering Our Institutions to Support Democracy” and “Removing Barriers to the Participation of Women with Disabilities in Politics.”
On October 9, her addresses will focus on “Climate Change and Its Adverse Impacts on Global Health: Determining Long-Term Solutions” and “National Parliaments vs. Provincial, Regional, and Devolved Legislatures: Protecting and Preserving the Separation of Powers.”
Following the conference, on October 11, Speaker Padhy will commence a study tour, travelling from Bridgetown to London, where she will stay from October 12 to 14.
Highlights
During this period, she plans to engage with the Odia diaspora in London, discussing the conference outcomes and various pertinent issues. Representing the Ranpur constituency, she expressed her intent to visit the British Museum to view the historic stick used by martyrs Raghu and Dibakar to assault Bejelgate, symbolising Odisha’s freedom struggle.
On October 14, she will arrive in Zurich, Switzerland, and remain there until October 16, interacting with officials from the Indian High Commission and the local Odia community to exchange views on the conference themes.
From October 16 to 18, Speaker Padhy will be in Paris, continuing her engagements with the Odia diaspora. She is scheduled to depart Paris on October 18, returning to Bhubaneswar via New Delhi on October 19.
The press briefing was attended by OLA Secretary Satyabrata Rout and Director of the Research Wing Dr Tribikram Pradhan.
Speaker Padhy highlighted that her participation aims to bolster India’s parliamentary heritage on the global stage. It would foster gender equality, democratic strengthening, and international collaboration within the Commonwealth.
