CHANDIGARH, July 22 -- Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, industrialist-turned politician Naveen Jindal parted ways with the Congress and joined the BJP, a gamble that paid off. And after a decade-long hiatus, the two-term former Congress MP returned to the lower House for a third time, but this time with lotus in hand. Returning to the Lok Sabha after a decade has been both an honour and an emotional moment. As a third-term MP, this year has been about further deepening my engagement with the people of Kurukshetra and raising their voices in Parliament with renewed resolve. Even when I wasn't actively involved in politics, my connection with Kurukshetra never waned. Development work continued, and ahead of the 2024 elections, people themselves urged me to contest again. Their faith - along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat - motivated me to return to public service. Personally, standing again in the Lok Sabha after 10 years was a deeply emotional moment. This return came with a deeper sense of responsibility and I aspire to deliver. For the party, the 2024 mandate was historic. The people of India reaffirmed their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, entrusting him with a third consecutive term. The BJP-led NDA showcased its collective strength and a clear roadmap for national development. Several key legislations were passed. I am privileged to be contributing to one such endeavour as a member of the select committee examining Income Tax Bill, 2025, that is intended to replace the archaic Income Tax Act, 1961. Parliament is the soul of our democracy. Each sitting is an opportunity to voice people's concerns and shape national policy. There is always scope for improvement. In my experience, Parliamentary Committees are where some of the most constructive and detailed work happens. They allow MPs to engage deeply, deliberate meaningfully, and operate on bipartisan lines. So apart from increasing the number of sittings, what we need is a more open, consensus-driven approach in Parliament. Bringing the same spirit of collaboration of Parliamentary Committees into the House would go a long way in strengthening the democratic process. The work in Parliamentary Committees, where the discussions are non-partisan and with the sole aim of nation first, is satisfying and meaningful. I am privileged to be contributing as a member of different Committees, including the Select Committee to examine the IT Bill 2025. Raising issues in Parliament takes meticulous preparation, persistence, and purpose. I use available opportunities like Zero Hour, parliamentary questions, and formal submissions to the ministries and raise concerns related to Kurukshetra and the nation. For me, effectiveness isn't just about raising an issue, it's about resolving it. Under the MPLAD scheme, around 165 projects of over Rs.7 crore have already been recommended, covering roads, sanitation, and civic infrastructure. Additionally, Rs.32 crore worth of development projects have been approved under the district plan. Inspired by my father's (OP Jindal) belief that politics is a medium for public service, I've started several initiatives in personal capacity, including mobile health vans, regular health camps, and health mela to support farmers and improve rural healthcare access. The launch of Naveen Avsar initiative under the Naveen Jindal foundation has been a major milestone. A centre for excellence is being developed in Kurukshetra. In the time ahead, my focus will remain on skilling youth, improving connectivity, connecting farmers with modern agri-tech solutions and making Kurukshetra a model of inclusive development. next: Dharambir Singh,BJP MP from Bhiwani-Mahendergarh...