Chandigarh, June 9: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said that the vision of Viksit Bharat represents empowered citizens, strong institutions and responsible leadership, where every citizen contributes to national progress and every legislator acts as an agent of transformation.

Addressing a two-day CPA India Region Zone-II conference held in Chandigarh on June 8–9, in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh and other presiding officers, Rather spoke on “Role of Aware Society and Legislators in Realizing Future Challenges and Goal of Viksit Bharat–2047.”
He said India is moving confidently towards becoming a global leader in economic growth, innovation, governance, sustainability and human development, but emphasized that no national vision can be achieved by governments alone.
“The true architects of a developed nation are its citizens, and legislators are the custodians of democratic aspirations,” he said, adding that an aware society must actively participate in public discourse and uphold constitutional values beyond just voting.
Highlighting challenges posed by technological advancement, Rather warned of misinformation, polarization and declining institutional trust. He stressed the need for credible information, critical thinking and stronger civic education.
He said legislators must strengthen democratic literacy, promote transparency and make governance more accessible and accountable, encouraging citizens to become active participants rather than passive observers.
The Speaker also underscored the role of youth in shaping legislative institutions, noting that young legislators bring innovation, digital understanding and modern perspectives to governance. He said they can bridge traditional systems with contemporary societal needs and promote citizen engagement through technology.
Rather also highlighted emerging challenges such as climate change, artificial intelligence, employment generation, urbanization, cybersecurity and social cohesion, calling for anticipatory and adaptive governance.
He stressed that achieving Viksit Bharat requires quality education, skill development, good governance, innovation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion, with legislators playing a central role in driving these priorities.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said youth participation and development initiatives are transforming aspirations, with young people increasingly engaging in innovation, entrepreneurship and public service.
He added that the success of Viksit Bharat will ultimately be measured not only by economic growth but by the strength of democratic institutions, citizen awareness, youth participation and inclusive development.