'I see the maturity of democracy in your standards': Modi bids farewell to Venkaiah Naidu

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 August bid farewell to Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu in the Rajya Sabha. Mr. Modi thanked the Vice-President for his guidance and contributions to the House and the country. He lauded the tactful, wise, and firm conduct of the House by the Vice-President and praised him for holding a firm belief that beyond a point, disruption in the House becomes contempt of the house. "I see the maturity of democracy in your standards," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the systems established by the Vice-President gave new height to the productivity of the House. During the years of his leadership, the productivity of the House increased by 70%, attendance of the members increased, and a record 177 Bills were passed or discussed. "You have taken so many decisions that will be remembered for the upward journey of the Upper House," the Prime Minister said.

Recalling the Vice-President's continuous encouragement to the youth of the country, Mr. 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." He noted that 25% of the Vice-President's speeches outside the House were among the youth of India.

The PM appreciated the Vice-President's ideological commitment as a party worker, his work as MLA and parliamentarian, his organizational skills as the BJP president, 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 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.

Mr. Modi highlighted Mr. Naidu's wit and word power. "Your every word is heard, preferred, and revered…and never countered," the Prime Minister said and continued, "The one-liners of Venkaiah Naidu ji are famous. They are wit liners. His command over languages has always been great." Saying that Mr. Naidu had made a great impact in the House and outside, Mr. Modi went on, "There is both depth and substance in what Venkaiah Naidu ji says. It is as direct as incomparable, there is both wit and weight, warmth as well as wisdom in what you say."

Referring to the humble beginnings of the political career of Mr. Naidu in south India, the Prime Minister said Mr. Naidu's journey from a political worker to the president of his party is a reflection of his indomitable steadfastness in ideology and tenacity. The Prime Minister also touched upon Mr. Naidu's love for his mother tongue. "One of the admirable things about Venkaiah ji is his passion for Indian languages. This was reflected in how he presided over the House. He contributed to increased productivity of the Rajya Sabha," Mr. Modi added.