JAMMU, Aug 08: Arjun Singh Raju, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Ramban representing the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has returned to Jammu after participating in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit held in Boston, USA from August 4–6, 2025. Raju was part of the largest-ever Indian delegation of over 130 MLAs and MLCs from 24 States and 21 political parties, an initiative facilitated by National Legislators’ Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat).
The Summit featured a wide range of high impact sessions on contemporary policy challenges and legislative practice, including AI use inside legislatures, cybersecurity, state budget planning, building voter trust, housing innovation, transportation infrastructure, health policy trends, and international trade and development. Raju participated actively in sessions such as “AI Use Inside the Legislature: What’s the Latest?”, “Smart Strategies for Transportation Infrastructure”, “Legislative Decision-Making”, and “Spotlight on Housing: Innovative Answers to a Growing Crisis.”
Highlights of the visit & key experiences •Productive academic interactions at Harvard University and MIT, exploring the role of research institutions in shaping public policy and technology-led governance. •Visit to the Massachusetts State House and meetings with U.S. legislators that offered comparative insights into local governance and legislative processes. •Cultural and historical engagement at Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), fostering deeper appreciation for democratic institutions and civic heritage. •Meetings with Indian-origin academics and industry leaders in Boston to explore collaboration opportunities in education, technology, and socio-economic development. While addressing the media in Jammu, Arjun Singh Raju said: “It was a privilege to represent my constituency and Bharat at a globally significant platform like the NCSL Legislative Summit. The learnings on effective governance, sustainable infrastructure, AI governance, cybersecurity, and democratic innovation were deeply enriching. Visiting iconic institutions like MIT and Harvard, and engaging with Indian origin leaders, further broadened our perspective.
I am profoundly grateful to NLC Bharat and its visionary Founder, Dr. Rahul V. Karad, whose commitment and initiative made this opportunity possible for so many of us. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for selecting me as part of this important delegation his trust allowed me to bring these insights back to Ramban. His efforts to empower legislators through such capacity building programs are truly commendable.” Raju affirmed his commitment to adapt applicable global best practices to the local context of Ramban and Jammu & Kashmir especially in areas of digital governance, participatory policy-making, resilient infrastructure, and strengthening democratic trust. This delegation and knowledge-exchange opportunity — championed by Dr. Rahul V. Karad and NLC Bharat — underscores a non-partisan, inclusive, and future-focused approach to building legislative capacity and strengthening democratic governance across Bharat.
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