Om Birla: A Rare Speaker for the People and Parliament

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla celebrates his birthday simply every year on December 4th. Although his birthday falls on November 23rd according to the English calendar, Birla has been celebrating it on the traditional date for years. On his birthday, a large crowd of supporters gathers at his residence, regardless of whether he holds a position of power or not, showcasing his immense popularity.

Om Birla, a popular leader from the Kota-Bundi parliamentary constituency in Rajasthan, has been elected to the Lok Sabha for the second consecutive term. He is the first public leader in the past 20 years to be re-elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He is also the first public leader from Rajasthan to hold the prestigious constitutional position of Lok Sabha Speaker. While Balram Jakhar, who served as the Speaker before, was from Rajasthan, he originally hailed from Punjab.

Birla, 62, began his political journey as a student leader and has strong ties to Kota, his birthplace and the place where he started his career. He was elected as a Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly three times from Kota city in 2003, 2008, and 2013. During his tenure, he also served as the Parliamentary Secretary in the Rajasthan Assembly. Birla has introduced many innovative public service programs in Kota, winning the hearts of people from all walks of life.

Born in Kota, often referred to as the educational hub of the country, to Shri Krishna Birla, Om Birla is truly a people’s representative. He is known as a companion in the joys and sorrows of the people. When he was re-elected as Speaker in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his remarkable life, character, and achievements in his speech. Birla has won hearts in his role as Speaker with his unique working style, and recently played a key role in resolving a week-long deadlock in the Lok Sabha. This has earned him accolades from both ruling and opposition MPs. Even the public widely acknowledges his efficient conduct of Lok Sabha proceedings. His distinct style of managing parliamentary sessions with a smile has earned him the title of "The People's and Parliament's Birla Speaker."

Despite his heavy responsibilities, Birla never hesitates to be involved in the joys and sorrows of the people. He is always alert, reaching out to assist people during difficult times. During the floods in Kota, he visited flood-affected areas on foot, by boat, and other local means, assessing the situation and instructing the local administration to provide immediate relief.

As soon as Birla became Speaker, numerous social, cultural, and service organizations from across the country and state held events in his honor. However, Birla humbly thanked all organizers and prioritized his duties as Speaker, ensuring the smooth running of long parliamentary sessions. After much persuasion, he participated in a collective felicitation ceremony organized by associations in Siriford Auditorium in New Delhi.

During his foreign trips as Speaker, Om Birla led the Indian delegation at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences held in Maldives, Uganda, Russia, Japan, and other countries. During these visits, he met with the Indian diaspora, who warmly welcomed him. In 2023, Kota played a crucial role in organizing the 9th G-20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P-20) successfully in New Delhi.

Om Birla stands out for personally greeting every voter and their family members on special occasions like his birthday, and for being actively involved in supporting families during difficult times in his constituency. His dedicated team of workers and his 'micro-level planning' for the development of his region are remarkable. Birla’s close-knit family consists of his wife, Dr. Amita Birla, and their two daughters, Anjali and Akanksha, who assist him in his various creative endeavors.