Indian Legislators Strengthen Global Ties at NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 in the USA
New Delhi – In a landmark event for global legislative dialogue and cooperation, a delegation of 50 Indian legislators, including MLAs, MLCs and speakers of state legislatures from across the country, attended the National Conference of State Legislatures'(NCSL) Legislative Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The visit was a part of the collaboration between the National Legislators’ Conference (NLC) Bharat, an initiative by Shri Rahul V. Karad and NCSL.
The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 featured prominent Indian legislators who made significant contributions to global legislative discussions. Notable attendees included Shri AN Shamseer (Hon’ble Speaker of Kerala), Shri UT Khader Fareed (Hon’ble Speaker of Karnataka), Shri Thomas A. Sangma (Hon’ble Speaker of Meghalaya), Shri Kultar Singh Sandhwan (Hon’ble Speaker of Punjab), and Shri Rudrappa Manappa Lamani (Hon’ble Deputy Speaker of Karnataka). They were joined by other esteemed figures, including Shri Jarnail Singh, Shri Vishesh Ravi, and Shri Rajesh Gupta from Delhi, Shri Sanjay Kumar Sharma, Shri Dhirendra Singh, and Shri Dilip Kumar Pandey from Uttar Pradesh and Dr. Ravjot Singh, Smt. Neena Mittal, Shri Sukhveer Singh, Shri Amritpal Singh Sidhu, and Smt. Jeevan Jyot Kaur from Punjab; representing various political parties.
Jeevan Jyot Kaur, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Punjab said “I am deeply appreciative of Shri Rahul Karad for offering this exceptional platform. The summit has been an eye-opening experience, setting a new standard for collaborative legislative engagement. By bringing together legislators from diverse political backgrounds, this initiative fosters a unified vision for India’s progress. The exposure to different legislative practices and international perspectives has been invaluable, enhancing our ability to address common challenges and drive meaningful reforms.”
Dr. Surabhi, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Uttar Pradesh said “NLC Bharat’s vision of strengthening democracy through international dialogue has been profoundly impactful. The summit provided an enriching educational experience, particularly in understanding advanced digitalization practices and effective narrative-building strategies. The knowledge gained from the U.S. sessions will be instrumental as we adapt these insights to improve our legislative processes in India. I strongly encourage fellow legislators to participate in future events to gain similar valuable insights and contribute to our collective advancement.”
Shri. Rahul V. Karad – Executive President, MIT-WPU said “The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 represents a pivotal moment in our journey to strengthen global legislative ties. Our participation in this summit has not only enriched our understanding of diverse governance practices but also reaffirmed our commitment to enhancing democratic institutions in India. By engaging in mutual discussions and exchanging best practices with our U.S. counterparts, we have gained valuable insights that will enable our legislators to implement impactful changes in their states, driving progress and development across our nation.”
One of the highlights of the summit was the delegation’s visit to the Kentucky State Capitol Building, where they gained valuable insights into the legislative structures and processes of various U.S. states. This experience enriched their understanding of governance and legislative practices, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diversity of political systems.
The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 hosted a series of insightful sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. A session titled “The Future of Education: Creating a Vision for Excellence” involved discussions around policies and practices that support future-ready students and schools. Highlighting the importance of the latest technologies, the session on “AI 101: Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges” helped participants gain a foundational understanding of this technology, its current applications, and the approaches states are taking to balance the opportunities and challenges AI presents.
Another session, themed “Building an AI-Ready Workforce,” featured experts discussing efforts to create career pathways for every student and promote quality non-degree credentials that lead to the jobs of tomorrow. In the session “Communicating for Voter Confidence,” participants shared stories and strategies on effectively communicating accurate information about what happens before, during, and after elections. Additionally, the session on “Cybersecurity: Expensive but Necessary” addressed the high risk of cyberattacks facing governments and schools, and the growing costs of preventing, insuring against, and recovering from them.
The Indian delegation’s involvement in these sessions undoubtedly enriched their legislative insight and contributed to their ongoing efforts to drive positive changes in their respective states in India. Under the leadership of its founder, Rahul Karad, NLC Bharat has furthered international legislative ties through this initiative. These efforts aim to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, policy development, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The collaboration with NCSL USA highlights the significance of international cooperation in addressing contemporary legislative challenges and opportunities.
The NCSL Legislative Summit 2024 also featured distinguished delegates, including Dr. Aditi R. Karad, Dr. Ashok Joshi, Shri Ashim Patil, Shri Vinod Subramanian, Shri Laxman Badime, Prof. Gautam Bapat, Shri Dinkar Kharat, and Shri Subhash Jayswal. Their participation added depth to the summit’s discussions and contributed to the overall success of the event.