Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 7 addressed the Parliament of Ghana. During the speech, he said, "India has over 2,500 political parties." Then he paused to smile as the chamber was filled with murmurs.
PM Modi chuckled and said, “I repeat, 2,500 political parties.” This time, the reactions from the parliamentarians were louder. Notably, PM Modi was addressing the Ghana Parliament in English. Also, he called India the "mother of democracy," and stressed the importance of openness and dialogue in a democratic society.
He said, “True democracy promotes discussion and debate. It unites people, it supports dignity and promotes human rights.” He added in Hindi, "Hamare liye loktantra system nahi, sanskaar hai," before repeating the sentence in English, " For us, democracy is not just a system, it is a part of our fundamental values."
PM Modi pointed out that the strength of India's democracy lies in its vast diversity. He said, "Twenty different parties governing different states, 22 official languages, thousands of dialects. This is also the reason that people who have come to India have always been welcomed with open hearts. The same spirit helps Indians integrate easily wherever they go."
After PM Modi's address was over, the Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, repeated the figure of "2,500 political parties", as the MPs and PM Modi laughed. After that, PM Modi greeted the MPs and shook hands with them. Interestingly, he is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ghana in three decades while occupying the office.
