Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes as he bid farewell to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
“When we mark 15th August this year, it will be an Independence Day when the President, Vice President, Speaker and Prime Minister would have been born after Independence. And that too, each of them belongs to very simple backgrounds,” the prime minister said, adding that it has a great symbolic value and is a glimpse of a new era.
Recalling Naidu's continuous encouragement to the youth of the country in all the roles he undertook in public life, Modi said, “As our Vice President, you devoted a lot of time to youth welfare. A lot of your programmes were focused on Yuva Shakti”.
PM Modi noted that 25 per cent of the Vice President speeches, outside the House, were among the youth of India.
The Prime Minister appreciated the Vice President’s ideological commitment as party worker, work as MLA, activity level as a parliamentarian, organizational skills as the President of BJP, his hard work and diplomacy as minister and his dedication and dignity as the Vice President and the Chairman of the House.
“I have worked with Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu Ji closely over the years. I have also seen him take up different responsibilities and he performed each of them with great dedication”, the Prime Minister said.
Modi lauded the wit and word power of Naidu and said:. “Your each word is heard, preferred, and revered…and never countered... there is both wit and weight, warmth as well as wisdom in what you say".
The Prime Minister said the Vice President’s journey from a political worker to the President of his party is a reflection of his indomitable steadfastness in ideology and tenacity.
“If we have feelings for the country, art of putting forward our views, faith in linguistic diversity then language and region never become obstacles for us and you have proved this,” the Prime Minister said.
He then said, “One of the admirable things about Venkaiah Ji is his passion towards Indian languages. This was reflected in how he presided over the House. He contributed to increased productivity of the Rajya Sabha”.
During the years of the Vice President’s leadership, productivity of the House increased by 70 per cent, attendance of the members increased, and a record 177 bills were passed or discussed, Modi pointed out.
The Prime Minister lauded the tactful, wise and firm conduct of the House by the Vice President.“I see the maturity of democracy in your standards,” Modi said.
Appreciating the adjustment, communication and coordination with which he kept the House going even during difficult moments, Modi praised Naidu’s view :‘Let Government propose, let Opposition oppose and let the House dispose’.
This House has the right to accept, reject or amend the proposals from the other House but our democracy does not envisage stalling the proposals received from the other House, he said.
The Prime Minister thanked the Vice President for his guidance and contributions to the House and the country, according to a release issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
