Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays tribute to Somnath Chatterjee on his birth anniversary

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday paid floral tributes to former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on his birth anniversary at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, remembering his outstanding contribution to India’s parliamentary democracy.

Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament and several dignitaries also offered floral tributes to the veteran parliamentarian during the commemorative event. Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh was among those who paid homage.

Born on July 25, 1929, in Tezpur, Assam, Chatterjee was a distinguished lawyer before entering active politics in 1968. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 and went on to represent the House for ten consecutive terms, earning a reputation as one of India’s most respected parliamentarians.

Chatterjee was unanimously elected Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha on June 4, 2004, and served in the post until May 31, 2009. His tenure is widely remembered for strengthening parliamentary traditions and promoting informed, high-quality debates in the House.

Recognised for his scholarship, eloquence and unwavering commitment to democratic institutions, Chatterjee was honoured with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1996 for his significant contribution to the Indian parliamentary system.

As Speaker, he also spearheaded several initiatives aimed at modernising Parliament. During his tenure, Lok Sabha Television (LSTV) was launched in July 2006 as a 24-hour parliamentary channel to improve public access to parliamentary proceedings. He also inaugurated the high-tech Parliamentary Museum in August 2006, showcasing the evolution of India’s democratic institutions.

A portrait of Chatterjee is displayed in the Outer Lobby of the erstwhile Lok Sabha Chamber at Samvidhan Sadan. Painted by artist Manish Kumar Rao, it was unveiled on February 10, 2014, by the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.