We are present here to thank the Chairman of the House and the Vice President of the country, respected Shri Venkaiah Naidu ji, at the end of his term. This is a very emotional moment for this House. There are so many historical moments of the House which are associated with your dignified presence. Many times you have said that I have retired from politics but not tired from public life. Therefore, your responsibility to lead this House may be ending, but your experiences will continue to benefit the country and many public life activists like us for a long time in future.

Respected Chairman Sir,

Today, when the country is set out for a new journey of its next 25 years in the Amrit Mahotsav of independence, the leadership of the country is also in a way in the hands of a new era. As we are aware that this 15th August which are celebrating this year is special in a way that the President, Vice President, Speaker and Prime Minister of the country were born after Independence and each of them comes from very simple backgrounds. This has a great symbolic value and is also a glimpse of a new era.

Respected Chairman Sir,

You are such a Vice President of the country who has always worked for the youth in all your different capacities. You always encouraged the young MPs in the House. You have been constantly visiting universities and institutions to interact with the youth. You have a constant connect with the new generation and the youth have got your guidance and they have always been eager to meet you. Your popularity has also been very high in all these institutions. I am told that about 25 percent of the speeches that you gave outside the House as Vice President have been among the youth. This is also an important matter in itself.

Respected Chairman Sir,

Personally, I am fortunate to have seen you in different roles from close quarters. I also had the privilege of working side by side with you. Whether it is your ideological commitment as a party worker, your work as an MLA, your activity in the House as an MP, your personal skills and leadership as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, your hard work as a cabinet minister, or your efforts to innovate and the successes derived from those efforts have been very beneficial to the country.  I have seen you discharging your different responsibilities with grace and diligence whether as Vice-President or Chairman of the House. You never considered any work as a burden and always strived to breathe new life into any task. We have always seen your passion and dedication. Through this House, I would like to tell every hon’ble MP and every youth of the country that they can learn a lot from you about society, country and democracy. Books like Listening, Learning, Leading, Connecting, Communicating, Changing, Reflecting and Reconnecting tell a lot about you. Your experiences will guide our youth and strengthen democracy.

Respected Chairman Sir,

The reason I mentioned your books is because their titles reflect your knack for words for which you are known. Your one-liners are wit-liners as well as win-liners. It means nothing more needs to be said after those lines. Your every word is heard, preferred and revered and never countered. I really congratulate you for your command of language and your ability to turn the direction of situations with skill and ease.

Friends,

What we say is important but what matters more is how we convey. The measure of the success of any dialogue is that it should have a deep impact and people should remember it and they should be compelled to think about what we say. The people of the country are well aware of Venkaiah ji's skill in this art of expression in the House as well as outside the House. Your style of expression is impeccable as well as unique. There is depth as well as seriousness in your words. There is wit as well as weight in your speech. There is warmth as well as wisdom. Your way of communication touches the heart and is pleasant to ears.

Respected Chairman Sir,

You started your political career with student politics in the South. Then people used to say that the ideology and the party with which you belonged had no prospect in the South in the near future. But you rose to the top post of national president of that party, starting the journey from an ordinary student activist from South India. This is a symbol of your unwavering devotion to duty and work. You have proved that if we have love for the country, the art of speaking and the belief in linguistic diversity then language can never become a hindrance for us.

Respected Chairman Sir,

Many people would recollect what you said once. I especially remember. I have always heard that you have been very touchy and persistent about mother tongue. But your way of communicating the same is also very beautiful.  When you say that mother tongue is like eyes and other languages are like reading glasses, such a feeling only comes out from the depths of the heart. Every Indian language has been given special importance during the proceedings of the House in the presence of Venkaiah ji. You worked for the promotion of all Indian languages ​​in the House. You ensured that any hon’ble member could speak in any of our 22 schedule languages ​​in the House. Your talent and loyalty will always serve as a guide for the House in future also. You will remain an inspiration for how anyone can express his point effectively in a parliamentary and courteous manner.

Respected Chairman Sir,

Your able leadership and discipline have given new heights to the commitment and productivity of this House. The productivity of Rajya Sabha has increased by 70% during your tenure. The attendance of the members in the House has increased. During this period, a record 177 bills were either passed or discussed. Many such laws have been enacted under your guidance, which are realizing the concept of modern India. Many of your decisions will be remembered for the upper journey of Upper House. You also constituted a committee to ensure more efficiency in the functioning of the Secretariat. Similarly, there are many such initiatives by you like streamlining the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, promoting Information Technology and implementing e-office system for paperless work which have helped the Upper House attain a new height.

Respected Chairman Sir,

It is written in our scriptures: न स सभा यत्र न सन्ति वृद्धा न ते वृद्धा ये न वदन्ति धर्मम् !

That is, there is a meeting where there are experienced people and experienced people are the ones who teach dharma i.e. duty. Under your guidance, these standards have been fulfilled with utmost quality in the Rajya Sabha. You used to give instructions to the hon’ble members and also give them the benefit of your experiences and also used to scold them with warmth keeping in mind the discipline. I am sure none of the members ever took any of your words otherwise. This capital is created when you follow those ideals and standards in your personal life. You have always emphasized that disruption in Parliament beyond a limit amounts to contempt of the House. I see the maturity of democracy in these standards set by you. Earlier it was considered a norm to adjourn the proceedings if there used to be disruptions during the discussion in the House. But you not only conducted the House through dialogue, contact and coordination, but also made it productive. In the event of a conflict between the members during the proceedings of the House, you would always say one thing: "Let the government propose, let the Opposition oppose and let the House dispose." This House certainly has the right to give assent or mark dissent on the bills which have come from the other House. This House can pass, reject, or amend them. But the concept of withholding or obstructing them is not in our democracy.

Respected Chairman Sir,

In spite of our agreements or disagreements, all the members of the House are present to bid you farewell today. This is the beauty of our democracy. This exemplifies respect for you in this House. I hope that your initiatives and experiences will definitely inspire all the members in future. You have set such criteria for running the House in your unique way which will continue to inspire those who hold this post. The Rajya Sabha will follow the legacy that you have established and will work according to its accountability towards the country. With this belief, I, on behalf of the entire House, convey my best wishes to you. On behalf of everyone, I remain indebted to you and thank you for whatever you have done for the country and this House. Many best wishes!

 DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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DS/VK/AK