Orientation Programme ‘Prarambh’ for the newly elected/nominated Members of Rajya Sabha

Chairman Rajya Sabha, C.P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the two-day Orientation Programme ‘Prarambh’ for the newly elected/nominated Members of the Rajya Sabha in the biennial elections of 2026 today. The inaugural function was attended by the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh; Members of Parliament; Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha, P.C. Mody, and senior officers of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

The two-day Orientation Programme began with a welcome address by Shri Harivansh. He emphasized that new Members are entering the Parliament of India during ‘Amrit Kaal’; and they can play a significant role in building a ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ (Developed India @2047).

Shri Harivansh enlightened the new Members that they have the right to hold the Government accountable, offer constructive criticism, guide the Government onto the right path, and provide advice. New Members can seek answers from the Government, raise issues of public interest, and offer counsel on bills.

In his inaugural address, extending his heartiest congratulations to the newly-elected Members, the Shri Radhakrishnan noted that 67 Members have entered the August House for the first time. He appreciated their presence on a weekend despite public commitments in their respective States, stating that their attendance reflects a strong commitment toward discharging parliamentary responsibilities and strengthening democratic institutions.

Highlighting the unique character of the Upper House, Shri Radhakrishnan described the Rajya Sabha as the cornerstone of India’s federal democracy. He remarked that while the House brings together diverse regional voices, Members come together on the floor to strengthen national unity and integration.

Appreciating the Secretary-General , P.C. Mody, and Secretariat officials for designing a comprehensive curriculum, Shri C.P. Radhkrishnan noted that the programme incorporates modern digital needs, including a first-of-its-kind hands-on workshop on IT tools. He emphasized that Parliament has entered the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, pointing out that AI-driven tools like Vani Setu now provide real-time interpretation in multiple languages inside the Rajya Sabha Chamber. He urged Members to actively adopt Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to remain future-ready.(UPDATED ON 25TH JULY 2026)