Nepal MPs visit Gujarat Assembly, praise state’s tech-driven democracy

Gandhinagar, Gujarat – In a significant gesture of regional democratic cooperation and cultural exchange, a 14-member delegation from Nepal’s Free Youth Democratic Organization visited the Gujarat Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The delegation, currently touring Gujarat until August 5, was welcomed warmly by Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, who highlighted the state’s progress under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The Nepalese delegation was given a detailed overview of the Assembly’s functioning, including a demonstration of the NeVA Service Center, a digital initiative that has enabled paperless operations within the Gujarat Assembly. The visiting parliamentarians were also familiarized with the seating arrangements of ministers and MLAs, the press and VVIP galleries, and provisions made for the general public to observe House proceedings.

“Gujarat has been on a path of continuous development since Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister. With innovations in industrial growth, agriculture, education, and social development, the state now serves as a role model for the nation,” said Speaker Shankar Chaudhary during the interaction.

He highlighted Gujarat’s transformation through key initiatives such as the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the Narmada Dam project, and the global success of cooperatives like Amul. He also noted advancements in education and social campaigns like Beti Bachao, literacy drives, and cleanliness movements, which have positively reshaped Gujarat’s rural and urban sectors.

“We are truly impressed by how Gujarat runs its legislative affairs using modern science and technology. The Speaker’s detailed explanation of India’s democratic systems and the Gujarat model has been an eye-opener for our team,” said Nepali Parliamentarian Rajendra Prasad Pandey.

The visit underscored the emotional and spiritual ties between India and Nepal, with both sides reaffirming the importance of democratic learning and people-to-people contact. The exchange also served as a platform to discuss good governance practices and the evolving role of digital technologies in legislative functioning.

During the briefing, Assembly Secretary C.B. Pandya explained how the NeVA (National eVidhan Application) project has been implemented to transition toward a fully digital legislative workflow—enhancing transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement.

The visit was organized with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, as part of a broader initiative to promote regional cooperation and democratic dialogue. As part of their itinerary, the Nepalese MPs will also visit iconic places like Sabarmati Ashram, Statue of Unity, Amul Dairy, Somnath, and Dwarka—reflecting Gujarat’s historical, cultural, and economic significance.