Delhi Assembly Hosts 43 Foreign Delegates, Speaker Vijender Gupta Highlights Legislative Drafting

New Delhi, April 21, 2026: The Delhi Legislative Assembly welcomed a delegation of 43 participants from 18 countries under the 37th International Training Programme in Legislative Drafting organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies PRIDE of the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The visiting group included representatives from countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Oman, Kenya, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Tanzania.

Addressing the delegation, Speaker Vijender Gupta underlined that legislative drafting is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance. He stated that the effectiveness of any law depends on its clarity and precision, as it directly influences rights protection, accountability and the daily lives of citizens.

The Speaker placed the Delhi Legislative Assembly in its historical context, noting that the building dates back to 1912 when it served as the Imperial Legislative Council and later the Central Legislative Assembly under colonial governance. He also recalled the historic election of Vitthalbhai Patel as the first Indian President of the Assembly in 1925, describing it as a landmark moment in India’s legislative history.

He further highlighted the presence of national leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi during important deliberations in the Assembly, stating that the institution has long been a platform for democratic expression and governance evolution. As part of the visit, delegates toured the Assembly premises and attended a documentary screening on Vitthalbhai Patel along with a presentation on the publication “Ek Shatabdi Yatra”.

Vijender Gupta also shared details of ongoing modernisation efforts within the Assembly. He informed that the institution is now fully powered by solar energy and operates through a paperless system using the National e Vidhan Application. He added that digitisation of the Assembly library is in progress to preserve records and enhance research access.

In addition, plans are underway to develop the Assembly as a heritage site with a dedicated museum and a light and sound show showcasing its historical journey. These initiatives aim to combine institutional legacy with modern governance practices.

Concluding his address, the Speaker stressed that legislative drafting is not merely a technical exercise but a reflection of democratic values. He encouraged international participants to exchange ideas and adopt best practices to strengthen law making processes across democracies.