Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

Derek O’Brien writes: Let’s bring laughter back to Parliament

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: na

Mains level: positive impact of humor in parliamentary debates, emphasizing recent instances of wit in economic discussions

Kharge's 'credit' request to PM Modi on India's Oscar wins causes laughter  riot | Latest News India - Hindustan Times

Central idea 

The article celebrates the infusion of wit and humor in parliamentary debates, highlighting instances of playful banter among politicians. It emphasizes the positive impact of humor in diffusing tension and fostering a lighter atmosphere in the political arena. The ironic touch is noted as the article points out the absence of a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on the Rajya Sabha website.

Key Highlights:

  • Introduction: The article explores the positive impact of humor in parliamentary debates, emphasizing recent instances of wit in economic discussions.
  • Historical Perspective: Various anecdotes showcase the witty exchanges among prominent politicians, such as Piloo Mody, Madhavrao Scindia, and Ram Manohar Lohia.
  • Current Scenario: The article humorously notes the absence of a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on the Rajya Sabha website, highlighting an ironic aspect of parliamentary proceedings.

Key Terms:

  • Parliamentary debates
  • Wit and humour
  • Playful banter
  • Political discourse
  • Rajya Sabha
  • Economic parameters

Key Phrases:

  • “State of the country’s economy”
  • “Friendly banter”
  • “Cutthroat political colosseum”
  • “Bring back some wit”
  • “Lighter side of political debates”
  • “Positive impact of humor”
  • “Diffusing tension”
  • “Ironic touch”

Key Quotes:

  • “It is because you had a good governor for three years.” – Chairman of the House
  • “Let me confirm, sir, that is the only reason all this (progress) happened in Bengal.” – Response to the Chairman’s remark
  • “‘Wit and Humour’ page on the Rajya Sabha website reads ‘Feature under Development.'”

Anecdotes:

  • Piloo Mody’s witty response to disagreeing with a minister’s speech.
  • Madhavrao Scindia’s comment on the Janata government’s performance.
  • Ram Manohar Lohia’s anecdote about Nehru’s grandfather being a chaprasi in the Mughal court.
  • Mahavir Tyagi’s humorous remark on Nehru’s statement about Aksai Chin.

Key Statements:

  • “In the cutthroat political colosseum, let’s bring back some wit into Parliamentary debates.”
  • “Nothing like friendly banter to cool off a heated exchange.”

Key Examples and References:

  • Instances of witty exchanges involving Piloo Mody, Madhavrao Scindia, Ram Manohar Lohia, Mahavir Tyagi, and others.
  • The absence of a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on the Rajya Sabha website.

Critical Analysis:

  • While the article positively highlights the role of humor, a more critical analysis could explore potential drawbacks or criticisms associated with the use of wit in parliamentary discussions.

Way Forward:

  • Encourage more friendly banter and wit in parliamentary discussions to foster a congenial atmosphere.
  • Consider developing a dedicated “Wit and Humour” page on parliamentary websites to showcase the lighter side of politics.
  • Conduct a more in-depth analysis of the impact of humor on political discourse, addressing potential challenges or criticisms.

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