India’s development agenda is mirrored in sustainable goals: Sumitra

She highlighted a few recent initiatives launched by India for promoting inclusion and social advancement, such as ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’/ ‘National Mission on Financial  Inclusion’,  the Beti Bachao/ Beti Padhao /scheme to promote Girl Child and educate Girl Child, Make in India, Skill Development, Digital India, etc.

Observing that BRICS was a relatively young group, Mahajan said that the BRICS countries together comprise 43 per cent of the world’s population, and contribute 37 per cent of the world GDP. As such, the success of the SDGs will be heavily dependent on their successful implementation in the BRICS countries. 

She lauded the fact that BRICS has taken impressive strides beginning from  a forum for consultation on economic issues of mutual interest to  evolving into  a group which now has various topical global issues on its agenda. She hoped that during India’s chairmanship, BRICS cooperation would be further strengthened.

Mahajan said that women parliamentarians as enablers of  achievement of the SDGs need to concentrate on their role as people’s representatives helping to highlight the concerns of the people as well as mobilizing the participation of the citizens in issues of governance and sustainable development. 

She added that the 2030 Agenda also recognizes the essential role to be played by the national Parliaments in ensuring accountability at different stages of the policy cycle and their implementation.

Earlier, praising Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for successfully organising the meeting, Mahajan said that there could not have been a better venue than Rajasthan to discuss the theme of the meeting, Mahajan referred to a remarkable tradition  of  Rajasthan in the area of sustainable development. Rajasthan receives scanty rainfall concentrated over barely 3-4 months of the  year. 

This society has nurtured a strong tradition of water conservation and sustainable use of water resources.  She lauded the fact despite   nine droughts between 1997-2007, Laporiya village in Rajasthan did not require a single water tanker  as it developed unique dyke system called the ‘Chauka’. One of the first environmentalist movements which was inspired by women was the ‘Chipko’ movement  ( Women tree huggers)  which was  started in the early 18th century in Rajasthan.

In his welcome address, Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kailash Meghwal emphasised that in the coming years, we need to ensure elimination of poverty and hunger, quality education, availability of clean water and sanitation, gender equality and dignified living conditions for all through the achievement of these development goals. 

Vasundhra Raje added grace to the inaugural session with her august presence. Professor Dorinha Seabra Rezende, MP (DEM/TO), Head of Delegation, Brazil; Galina Karelova, Deputy Chairperson of Council of Federation, Head of Delegation, Russia; Wen Ma, Member of Standing Committee of the National People's Congress  of China, Chairperson of the International and Judicial Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Head of Delegation, China;  other delegates from BRICS countries, including India; and other dignitaries attended the function.

As many as 35 delegates from five member countries of BRICS, including India, are participating in the two-day deliberations on August 20 and 21.