Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan has called for strengthening peoples' faith in democratic institutions like Parliament and State Assemblies. Inaugurating the 78th Annual Conference of Presiding Officers and Secretaries of Legislative bodies at Gujarat State Assembly in Gandhingar, Mrs. Mahajan said that depleting peoples' faith on their elected representatives is a dangerous phenomenon in any democratic country. <br/><br/>She said that losing peoples' faith in the elected representatives will weaken the democratic institutions and it is the responsibilities of Members of Parliament, Legislative Assemblies and speakers of the houses to maintain the faith of the people on the democratic institutions. She said that people's feeling that parliament and Assemblies are not working should be changed by active and constructive participation of the elected members. <br/><br/>She favors for more sittings of the parliament and state assemblies for giving enough opportunity to the elected representatives of the people. However, she also advocates for constructive debates instead of merely political criticism. <br/><br/>Speaking on this occasion, Gujarat Chief Minister Mrs. Anandiben Patel said that biggest challenge before us is to fulfill the aspirations of the people in changing time. In his welcome address, Speaker of Gujarat State Assembly Mr. Ganpatsinh Vasava expressed the hope that the outcome of this conference will help to fulfill the aspirations of the people in democratic institutions. The two days proceedings of the conference will be held in camera.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports that around 350 delegates across the country are participating in this annual conference. Apart from Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils as well as secretaries are participating in this conference. <br/><br/>The main objective of this conference is to establish direct dialogue between the presiding officers of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and other legislative bodies in the country. These delegates will engage in discussions to bring about positive changes in various legislative and parliamentary procedures. <br/><br/>The conference will also discuss the issues related to attendance of MPs and MLAs and the quality of discussions in the house.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent adds that this is the 78th annual Conference, which was started in 1921. Gujarat is hosting this conference for the third time. Earlier this conference was held in Gujarat during the year of 1973 and 1992.