In a significant exchange under the 37th Parliamentary Internship Program, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met with 40 representatives from 12 countries at Lok Seva Bhawan today.
Organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) under the Parliament Secretariat in New Delhi, the event highlighted Odisha’s robust democratic traditions and its role as a cultural epicentre in Eastern India.
The Chief Minister warmly welcomed the delegates and emphasised the Odisha Legislative Assembly’s 89-year legacy of dedicated public service, underscoring its contribution to India’s democratic fabric. “Odisha carries a strong democratic tradition, and our Assembly’s parliamentary procedures are among the best in the country,” Majhi stated during the meeting.
He detailed the Assembly’s recent achievements, noting that from June 2024 to June 2025, it conducted 62 sittings, including a record-breaking 12-hour and 25-minute debate on the Odisha University (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Majhi also spotlighted Odisha’s leadership in the digital transformation of legislative processes. Key initiatives include the full implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application, OSWAS for e-governance, a completely digital House, and the use of AI for research and indexing. These efforts have earned the Odisha Assembly a national award for excellence in digital applications.
Stressing the importance of parliamentary committees, the CM explained that Odisha has established 25 such bodies, including 10 departmental standing committees, which function as “mini-parliaments” to ensure effective governance. He mentioned the state’s recent successful hosting of the national conference for chairpersons of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe committees, reflecting Odisha’s commitment to inclusive governance.
On the cultural front, Majhi described Odisha as the cultural hub of Eastern India. The delegates, who had previously visited iconic sites like Puri, Konark, Dhauli, and other heritage spots, expressed high praise for the state’s rich heritage and warm hospitality.
Rajya Sabha MP Sujit Kumar, present at the event, hailed the Odisha Assembly as a national model for discipline, constructive debates, and technological innovation. He noted that the internship program offers young global representatives a rare opportunity to learn about India’s unique parliamentary traditions in a vibrant democratic ecosystem.
Representing Turkmenistan’s Majlis (Parliament), member Kerimguly Gurbangulyyevich Geldiyev commended Odisha’s dedication to transparency and digital reforms in democracy, calling the internship a memorable experience for all participants.
The program was attended by key officials, including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs) Surendra Kumar, Odisha Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout, PRIDE Director Prashant Mallick, and senior officers from the Chief Minister’s Office.
This interaction not only fosters international parliamentary collaboration but also showcases Odisha’s strides in blending tradition with modern governance.
