India–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, Shri Kiran Sarnaik, Shri Vikram Kale, and Shri Rajhans Dhananjay Singh from Maharashtra, along with Shri Sureshkumar Krushnadas Koradiya, Shri Arjunsinh Udesinh Chauhan, and Shri Hemant Hardasbhai Khava from Gujarat. Their diverse participation underscored the commitment to fostering international legislative dialogue and collaboration, bringing valuable perspectives to the summit.
Shri Vikram Kale, Hon’ble Member of the Legislative Council, Maharashtra, remarked, “I was thrilled to attend this remarkable conference in the USA, which brought together MLAs, MLCs, and Speakers from across India. I extended my sincere gratitude to Shri Rahul Karad for orchestrating such a significant event. The insights we gained from observing the workings of the U.S. legislature and Senate were truly enlightening. This experience deepened our understanding and appreciation of global legislative practices. These lessons will greatly benefit our legislative practices in India as we strive to enhance governance and better serve our communities.”
Arjunsinh Udesinh Chauhan, Hon’ble Member of the Legislative Assembly, Gujarat said “The vision of NLC Bharat to enhance democratic governance has been truly inspiring. Participating in this summit has provided us with invaluable insights, especially in the realm of digitalization and effective narrative-building. The knowledge gained from U.S. practices will greatly assist us in advancing our legislative processes in India. I highly encourage other legislators to engage in future events to further enrich their understanding and contribute to our democratic evolution.”
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.
