<span style="color: #222222;">Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today said that both Central and State governments have been vigilant with COVID-19 pandemic and have taken necessary steps to contain its spread. He said, mutual synergy and excellent disaster management efforts have allowed India to minimize the damage from COVID19 disease.  <br />'' <br />'' Interacting with Presiding officers of State Legislative Assemblies via video conferencing at Parliament House, Mr.Birla urged State Assemblies to explore the possibility of extensive use of digital technology in legislative and financial work and for other routine tasks in order to maintain social distancing and other requirements specified in the guidelines to tackle the pandemic. 28 presiding officers attended the conference.<br />'' <br />'' Mr.Birla said that wherever possible India has tried to help other countries by supplying medicines and other essential equipment, thereby living up to the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam.<br />''<br />''In his interaction with Speakers of the State Assemblies, Mr. Birla was informed that many states have taken proactive measures with regard to providing relief to affected people. He was informed that many state MLAs have actively contributed to COVID-19 relief funds, both at the central as well as state level.  He also called upon all the state assemblies to setup a control room for real time information exchange between the various state assemblies and Parliament, which would allow MLAs and MPs to discharge their duties in a more effective manner in order to fight the challenge posed by COVID-19.</span><br />