Speaker for combined efforts to further flourish democracy

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Abdul Hamid Advocate Thursday made a fervent appeal to all concerned irrespective of their political beliefs to pursue combined efforts for healthy flourishment of democracy in the country, reports BSS. "Democracy is continuously flourishing around the globe. So, we cannot lag behind in this process" he said in his inaugural speech in the House as it went into session Thursday. This is the 11th session of the 9th Parliament. Urging the opposition to take part in debates in the House on important political issues, the Speaker said democracy is not limited within electoral process and the right-to-vote. Many issues including good governance, development and human rights are interlinked with democracy, he said. Hamid called upon the opposition to join parliament to help further advance the parliamentary democracy in the country and said healthy and constructive debate in the House helps a lot in speeding up the journey of parliament. "When parliament will be effective, country's democracy will be strengthened," Hamid said urging all parliament members to come to parliament and keep the national interest above personal or party interest. The Speaker said tolerance is the main guiding force in democracy where difference of opinion is very usual. "We have to give importance to the opinions of others in the greater national interest, he added. Hamid also urged the media to play their constructive role for the advancement of democracy. He said mass media was progressing fast in the country and they are enjoying full freedom. "It's very unfortunate that some newspapers are publishing exaggerating, partial and fabricated news creating confusion among the people, which is completely unexpected," he said adding that the journalists have to play more constructive role to help sustain democracy and keep the people's confidence in media.