New Delhi, December 26, 2025:
The Winter Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly will commence on January 5, with preparations underway to ensure smooth, disciplined and timely conduct of proceedings, Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Thursday while briefing the media at the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat. The four-day session, which will conclude on January 8, marks the Fourth Session of the Eighth Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Addressing the press conference, Gupta informed that the session will begin with an address by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, as per established constitutional procedure. A formal notification regarding the Winter Session has been issued on December 26. The Speaker emphasised that the Secretariat has prioritised accuracy, timeliness and procedural discipline to ensure the effective functioning of the House during the session.’
Gupta said all administrative and logistical arrangements are being finalised in advance, including coordination among various branches of the Assembly Secretariat. He noted that efforts are being made to facilitate uninterrupted proceedings and ensure that the legislative and procedural business of the House is conducted efficiently. According to the Speaker, several important papers are proposed to be laid before the House during the four-day sitting, and the necessary preparations have been put in place.
“The focus is on maintaining order, discipline and efficiency in the functioning of the House so that the Winter Session can take up its agenda smoothly,” Gupta said, adding that the Secretariat is committed to upholding parliamentary conventions and ensuring that members are provided with all necessary support.
During the briefing, Gupta was joined by Jain Acharya Lokesh, who shared details of a major cultural and spiritual programme scheduled to be held in the national capital in January 2026. The Speaker announced that a nine-day Ram Katha will be organised from January 17 to January 25 at the multipurpose hall of Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The discourse will be delivered by renowned Ram Katha exponent Morari Bapu and will be held under the aegis of a World Peace Mission.
Providing details of the event, Acharya Lokesh, founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati, said the Ram Katha is being organised with the objective of promoting peace, non-violence, dialogue and social harmony. He informed that former President Ram Nath Kovind has consented to serve as the Chairperson of the Organising Committee, while the Delhi Assembly Speaker will be the Chief Patron of the event. Acharya Lokesh described Kovind’s association with the programme as a source of moral strength and inspiration for the initiative.
Acharya Lokesh highlighted the relevance of the teachings of Lord Ram in contemporary times, stating that the strength of a nation lies not only in its borders but also in the character and values of its people. He said the life of Lord Ram offers enduring guidance on peace, compassion, discipline, restraint, truth and respect for all sections of society. He expressed confidence that Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha, dedicated to the cause of world peace, will help reinforce cultural and moral values, particularly among the youth and future generations.
According to Acharya Lokesh, the event is expected to draw devotees from across India as well as from several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. He noted that such wide participation would promote cultural exchange, strengthen people-to-people connections and contribute to spiritual and cultural tourism in the national capital. He added that the nine-day discourse will convey the universal message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or the world as one family, to a global audience, along with ideals of goodwill, harmony, compassion and fraternity.
Speaker Vijender Gupta lauded the initiative led by Acharya Lokesh and described the Ram Katha as an opportunity for society to reflect on the moral and ethical foundations of India’s civilisation. He noted that the event holds special significance as, for the first time, a Ram Katha is being organised under the guidance of a Jain Acharya, underscoring India’s long-standing tradition of interfaith harmony and shared civilisational values.
Gupta further observed that the teachings of Lord Ram remain deeply relevant to public life, particularly in shaping character, discipline and ethical values among younger generations. He said the association of former President Ram Nath Kovind and Acharya Lokesh lends dignity and purpose to the programme, while Bharat Mandapam, a symbol of India’s global identity rooted in its cultural heritage, is a fitting venue for an event of such stature. The Speaker expressed confidence that the Ram Katha will serve as a positive and inspiring milestone for the capital, reinforcing India’s legacy of inclusiveness, harmony and shared cultural values.
