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Context: The Prime Minister of India addressed the second summit of Democracy.

Highlights of the PM Speech

Democracy as the core value in Ancient India

• In ancient India, long before the rest of the world, the concept of elected leaders was widespread.
• The first responsibility of citizens is defined as selecting their leader in our ancient epic, such as the Mahabharata.

India as the Mother of Democracy

• According to the ancient Vedas, broad-based advisory councils exercise political authority.
• The Republic states of ancient India, where the rulers were not hereditary, are also frequently mentioned in historical accounts. Indeed, India is the mother of democracy.

Inclusive Growth

• Democracy is a philosophy as well as a system of government. It is based on the notion that each person's wants and goals are equally significant. Because of this, the national motto of India is "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas," which translates to "striving together for inclusive progress."
• Whether it is our work to combat climate change through dietary changes, to preserve water through decentralized storage, or to supply clean cooking fuel to everyone, each programme is motivated by the combined efforts of the residents of India.
• India's response to COVID-19 was driven by its citizens. They are responsible for making it feasible for nearly 2 billion doses of vaccines developed in India to be administered. Our "Vaccine Maitri" project sent millions of vaccinations to people all over the world.
• The democratic ideals of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - One Planet, One Family, One Future - served as a guide.

Summit for Democracy

About

• The United States has organised the Summit for Democracy as a virtual meeting "to revitalise democracy at home and combat autocracies abroad."
• The first summit took place in December 2021. The three themes were; defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights.

Objectives

• Defending human rights, supporting human rights advocates, and independent media.
• To discuss digital surveillance, and how it posed a threat to democracy in the digital era.
• Strengthening democratic institutions and measures to prevent authoritarianism.

2nd Summit for Democracy

• A total of 120 world leaders have been invited to take part.
• The second Summit was co-hosted by the United States, Costa Rica, Zambia, the Netherlands, and South Korea in March 2023.
• The summit was held in a virtual format and hybrid gatherings, with representatives from the government, civil society and the private sector participate.
• The US president committed to investing $690 million to support democratic initiatives across the world. The funds will be used to assist initiatives that promote free and independent media, fight corruption, uphold human rights, enhance democratic-improving technology, and promote free and fair elections.

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International Day of Democracy: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/international-day-of-democracy 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. There is a claim that democracy is integral to the Indian people and that the ancient republican politics in India are loaded with examples of the nation's strong democratic heritage. Do you agree? Examine critically.