Giving farewell to Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the outgoing Vice President for increasing the productivity of the House and encouraging the use of mother tongues.
As members bid him goodbye, Naidu turned emotional as TMC MP Derek O’Brien recalled the time when he lost his mother at a young age. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said though his ideology may be different, Naidu has fulfilled his responsibilities even under pressure.
Here are the top quotes from PM Modi’s speech in Rajya Sabha:
You (Naidu) have always said that you have retired from politics but are not tired of public life… Your term may be coming to an end, but your experiences will guide the nation for years to come.
One commendable thing about Naidu is his passion for Indian languages.
This was reflected in how he presided over the House. You (Naidu) have an interesting stand on the debate on mother tongue. You always say that a mother tongue is like eyes, while another language is like a pair of glasses. You have ensured that members can speak in any language in the House.
The productivity of the Rajya Sabha has increased by 70 percent under your chairmanship. The attendance of MPs has also increased. 177 Bills have been passed or discussed. You have taken many decisions which will be remembered for the upward journey of the Upper House.
You think that interruption of proceedings beyond a point is contempt of the House. I see the spirit of democracy in your principles… You have not only run the House through dialogue, contact and coordination but have also made it productive. Whenever there were differences between MPs, you would always say, ‘Let the government propose, let the opposition oppose and let the House settle’.
We are celebrating Independence Day this time when the President, Vice President, President and Prime Minister of the country are all those people who were born in independent India and all of them are from a very common background. I think it has symbolic significance.
Your one-liners are also wit-liners and win-liners. Your every word is heard, liked, respected and never countered. There is both depth and substance in what Naidu says.
Personally, it has been my privilege to have seen you closely in different roles. I too had the privilege of working with you in some of those roles. Be it your ideological commitment as a party worker, your work as an MLA or your activity in the House as an MP.
