Ranchi: Assembly Speaker Rabindranath Mahato addressed the 68th session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Barbados on the theme “A look ahead to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026: championing the human factor from a gender and accessibility lens.”
Mahato said it was an honour to speak before the gathering and noted that the theme reflected India’s democratic philosophy and Jharkhand’s priorities. He said India’s development approach is rooted in the ancient principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“the world is one family”—which calls for dignity and equality for all.
He underlined that the Constitution guarantees justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, and that India continues to focus on inclusive governance, women’s empowerment, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Citing the Rigveda, he said societies prosper where women are respected, stressing that gender equality is essential not only for justice but also for social progress.
Mahato highlighted Jharkhand’s tribal traditions, which emphasise harmony with nature and equality between men and women. Tribal women, he said, play vital roles in agriculture, forest protection, and local governance, offering a living example of inclusiveness.
He praised Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s government for empowering women through initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Maaiyan Samaan Yojana, support for girls’ education, maternal health schemes, and women’s self-help groups. These programmes, he said, strengthen women’s social and economic position and align with the Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and economic growth.
Mahato reaffirmed India’s commitment to gender justice through global conventions like CEDAW and legal milestones such as the Vishakha judgment. Concluding, he quoted the Isha Upanishad—“All that exists is pervaded by the divine”—and urged Commonwealth nations to uphold diversity, equality, and the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
The session was attended by CPA Secretary-General Stephen Twigg and several Commonwealth representatives.