Parliament ultimate conflict resolution forum: Somnath

New Delhi, Oct 17 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today said that Parliament is the ultimate conflict resolution forum, particularly in a democratic form of government.

Presiding over a discussion on ''Leading with Courage and Compassion'', delivered by the distinguished Zen master, Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, and organised by the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training (BPST) here, Mr Chatterjee said it is here, in Parliament, that the hopes, aspirations, fears and frustrations of the people should be articulated and resolved through dialogue, debate, deliberations and discussions and through a process of conciliation.

He said, ''Inspite of all its imperfections, which one may point out, we do not have any better alternative to this great people's institution, which needs to be constantly nurtured and strengthened and cleansed of its aberrations, to make it more receptive to the people's problems and for finding solutions.'' Referring to the message of the Zen master, Mr Chatterjee said, ''Violence and strife, which we notice today in the contemporary society, are symptoms of the deep-seated social malaise which needs to be addressed by understanding and with compassion.'' Earlier, Ven Thich Nhat Hanh, in his address emphasised the imperatives of love and compassion, which could be inculcated through mindfulness and what he called ''deep listening''.

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