28^th July, 1937

REPLY BY THE NEWLY-ELECTED SPEAKER

The Hon’ble the SPEAKER: Hon’ble Leader and the Hon’ble Members of this House, I am very glad to notice this day that at least one of my life’s greatest missions has been fulfilled to find that representatives of parts that formerly did not form part and parcel of Orissa have gathered here. Of course some outlying parts have not been amalgamated yet, for which we have been crying for long. It is for about half a century, but still some parts, the major parts, have not been amalgamated with Orissa. I am glad because I joined the amalgamation movement started by the Utkal Union Conference since 1907, and I am glad to notice amongst my fellow-Ministers and associates of those days, Hon’ble Mr. Gorachand Patnaik, Hon’ble Paja Saheb of Madhupur and Hon’ble Pandit Godavaris Mishra and many others, and I am glad that I have to preside over the deliberations of this House, when they, as representatives of these outlying parts, have joined us. Hon’ble members, at the same time, though I am glad for that, our agitation for those outlying parts will not vanish. Our, brethren are there outside the province and in what condition they are, of course we can all judge. We should not remain content by having some of our brothers with us, but should try and try, I should say persistently, to secure all the outlying parts including in Orissa province.

Then, on an occasion like this, words always fall short to express the depth of gratitude for the honour, a sinale honour that has been conferred on me by electing me Speaker of this House. I do not know how to convey my thanks from the bottom of my heart, but I say that I am very very thankful to you and my heartfelt thanks are conveyed to you for the honour conferred upon me. My duty is very onerous and particularly so, when I remember and I am conscious of my shortcoming that I am new to the Legislature and by electing a new member of the Legislature to be the Speaker of this House, you have taken a greater burden, a greater responsibility than you would have taken, had you elected a more experienced hon'ble member. Therefore, I expect and hope that you will realise my great responsibilities to the House and that you will always lead me to come to right and correct decision. I am glad to notice that all sections of this House have in one voice assured me that I will have uniform co-operation. I am glad that this gives me strength. My strength really lies in the heartiest co-operation of the entire House. I am conscious of the fact that when I was elected Speaker I ceased to be a party man. I assure you, the moment I was elected Speaker I ceased to be a party man in this House (cheers), because this offers obviously no allurement, no temptation, for I come here to serve the larger interest of the country. I have no personal interests to serve.

I will also mention that in spite of a proposal to fix my salary at Rs. 1,000, I have decided to take only Rs. 400 (cheers), though the maximum has been fixed at Rs. 500 in some other provinces. I consider that in view of the poverty of the province, Rs. 400 is enough (cheers) and I think that all of us must try to reduce the expenditure as much as we can. Therefore, I assure, if the assurance is needed, that I in fact belong to the House and not belong to any particular party. That is the convention of all the countries governed by party institutions and I must follow that in this House.

As you all know this is the first Legislative Assembly of the Orissa province. I say to day will be memorable day for Orissa, because in this hall we shall be able to gather together representatives of at least a major part of the Oriya-speaking tracts to put our heads together for the common welfare of the largest section of humanity of this province. If we are here, we are here for the purpose of serving the people. It will be our motto. I hope you hon'ble members will conduct the deliberations of this House in a manner worthy of the dignity and respect of this House and the discussions will be raised to such a level which will stand favourable comparison with the other advanced provinces of India. (Hear, Hear and Cheers). As I told you of my shortcomings, I must confess that I am new to legislature, and I hope that all the sections of the House will give me the support which they have so kindly promised. With these few words I again thank you for the hopes that were expressed in some quarters that we should follow the footprints left by our illustrious countryman, late Mr. Vithalbhai Patel, President of the Central Legislative Assembly. I should like to say that in following the rules, limitations and the standing orders or the rules that will be framed, I may have to act sometimes relying on my own resources. Therefore, having regard to the particular point that will arise in this House, I must always depend upon my own ability. Parliamentary practices as you have said there are many in British Parliament. We must have to bear in mind the convention of that Parliament. Some of them will have to be adopted and we must remember this house, being the first Legislative Assembly of Orissa, having no traditions of its own, we have to create traditions which will not only set up an ideal but which will be followed by us during the life time of this Assembly and by our successors as well, as being sound. That will be the motto that will always guide us during the deliberations of this House and I hope you will guide me in that direction so that I may never err. With these few words I beg to thank you, gentlemen, for the honour you have done me.