Bhopal, Feb 3 (IANS) Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Wednesday inaugurated an exhibition tracing the growth of Indian democracy from the ancient times till today through photographs, write-ups, charts, press clippings and audio-visual aides.

Titled 'Democracy in India - from past to present', the exhibition is spread over 13 sectors, traces the growth and development of democratic traditions in the country, beginning from ancient times to the modern parliamentary institutions.

It lays special emphasis on the democratic heritage in ancient India, including the Rig Vedic and Buddhist period, the Indian freedom movement, the constitution of India and the working of parliament.

The exhibition also lays particular emphasis on legislative activities of the Madhya Pradesh assembly.

It recalls the evolution and origin of the speaker's office and importance of presiding officers.

Using the audio-visual inputs, visitors can hear narration of Rig Vedic shlokas. Excerpts of the speeches given by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar and Subhas Chandra Bose can also be listened to.