ISHTIYAQ AHMAD
early times report
SRINAGAR, Feb 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday bid an emotional farewell to the four outgoing members of the Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister said Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad, Shamsher Singh, Nazir Ahmed Laway and Mohammad Fayaz, all from Jammu and Kashmir, played a vital role in the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. "Posts come, high office comes, power comes and how to handle these, one must learn from Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji. I would consider him a true friend," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi also got emotional while bidding farewell to Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad as he recalled a phone call by Azad when tourists from Gujarat were killed in an attack in Kashmir.
Here is the full speech of Prime Minister: "Four of our companions, who bring glory to this House, bring vibrancy to the House and are engaged in public service through the House, are moving towards new work due to the completion of their tenure.
Ghulam Nabi Azad ji, Shamsher Singh ji, Mir Mohammad Fayaz ji, Nazir Ahmed ji; I would like to express my gratitude to all four of you for your experiences, your knowledge to benefit the House and the country, and for whatever you have contributed towards solving the problems of your region. I thank you"
"There was a attack and eight people in Gujarat were killed. The first call I received was from Ghulam Nabi ji. The call was not just to inform me of the incident, but his tears were not stopping on the phone. It was of concern, like a family member," said Modi, who had tears in his eyes as he stopped midway during his speech.
"I have known him for years. We were Chief Ministers together. We had interacted even before I became CM, when Azad Sahab was very much in active politics. He has a passion not many know about - gardening", said Modi reminiscing the old days.
Showering praises on Azad, the Prime Minister said: "I am worried. The person who will replace Ghulam Nabi ji (as Leader of Opposition) will have difficulty matching his work because he was not only concerned about his party but also about the country and the House".
"Mir Mohammad Ji and Nazir Ahmad ji, both of these companions - may have noticed very few people on their side in the House, but there will not be any session with whom I can sit in my chamber and listen to different topics, Did not get a chance to understand. Even the nuances of Even Kashmir, when he used to sit with them, sometimes when he used to come with the family, he kept so many aspects in front of me, it was very energizing for me too. So, I also express my heartfelt gratitude to both our companions for having personally engaged with me, and for the information that I had received. And I am sure that their commitment and their ability will work for both the country and especially for Jammu and Kashmir. I am sure that the unity of the country, happiness, peace and prosperity of the country will be useful in increasing it".
"One of our comrades, Shamsher Singh ji, does not even remember how many years I have been working with him because I have been a human being in the world of organization. I used to work in this field. For many years I also got an opportunity to work in Jammu and Kashmir, so as my fellow worker, there was a chance to travel on a scooter. Shamsher Singh was among those who went to jail in emergency at a very young age. And the presence of Shamsher ji in this House is 96%, this in itself… that is, the effort given by the public to fulfill the responsibility given to them completely 100 percent. He is soft-spoken, simple, and I believe that his tenure is the best in his life for the four respectable members who retire from Jammu and Kashmir as history has changed a new turn and has become an ally. . This is a big event in his life".
"Ghulam Nabi ji, I am concerned that after Ghulam Nabi ji, who will take over this post, they will have a lot of trouble to match Ghulam Nabi ji. Because Ghulam Nabi ji used to worry about his party but equally worried about the country and the house. This is not a small thing, it is a very big thing, or else to create your dominance as the leader of opposition, anyone can have this fascination. But he from the House… I also put Sharad Pawar in his category, he was one of the leaders who gave priority to the concern of the House and the country… Ghulam Nabi ji has done this work well".
"I remember I was meeting a floor leaders during this Corona period, then on the same day I got a call from Ghulam Nabi ji - Modiji this is fine, you do, but do one thing, call a meeting of all party leaders I liked that he suggested me to sit with the party leaders, with all the party presidents and I also held that meeting. He did it on the suggestion of Ghulam Nabi ji… and let me say this…. That is, this type of contact and its root cause is that they have had experience on both sides, both the ruling party and also the opposition. 28 years tenure, it is a big thing in itself".
"It was a long time ago, maybe I will remember Atalji's government, I came here for some work in the House. I was not in politics then, that is, it was not in electroal politics, I used to work for the organization. So I and Ghulam Nabi ji were doing gossip in the same lobby. And as the journalists feel, they kept an eye on how these two could be reconciled. We were talking with laughter, so as soon as we got out, journalists surrounded us. Ghulam Nabi Ji gave a very good answer. That answer is going to be very useful for us. He said, brother, you see us fighting in newspapers or in TV mediums or in public meetings, but really there is no atmosphere of a family like this under this roof. We have so much affinity, so much happiness and sorrow. This spirit is a very big thing in itself".
"Probably very few people will know a hobby of Ghulam Nabi ji and will tell if you ever sit with him. If we live in government bungalows, then the walls of the bungalow, our sofasat, we have our mind around it, but Ghulam Nabi ji has made such a garden in that bungalow, that is, to remind us of the valley of Kashmir. . And they are also proud of it, they give time, add new things and every time there is competition, their bungalow comes in number one. That is, how much love they have to maintain their official place, that is, they have handled it with all their heart".
"When you were the Chief Minister, I also used to work as the Chief Minister of a state. We have had a very close proximity in that period. Hardly any such incident can be found when there is no bridge between us. Once a traveler from Gujarat because a large number of tourists from Jammu and Kashmir live in Gujarat - and they were attacked by the Terrestrians. Probably eight people were killed. First of all, I got a call from Ghulam Nabi ji and that phone was not just for giving information. His tears were not stopping on the phone. Pranab Mukherjee was the defense minister at that time. I called him, I said, sir, if the force's airplane is found to bring dead bodies, it was late at night. Mr. Mukherjee said don't worry I do the arrangement. But in the night again Ghulam Nabi ji got a call - he was at the airport. That night, he called me from the airport and he worries like his family member".
"The position, power keeps coming to life, but how to digest it… It was a very emotional moment for me. The next day, I got a call that everyone had reached? Therefore, as a friend, I respect Ghulam Nabi ji on the basis of events and experiences and I am sure that his gentleness, his humility, his desire to do something for this country, he will never rest in peace. Will give. And I am sure that whatever responsibility, wherever they handle, they will definitely add value, contribute, and the country will also benefit from them, I believe that. I once again thank him for his services. And personally I will also urge them not to feel that you are no longer in this house. My doors are always open for you. All four are open to recognized members. Your thoughts, suggestions, Because everything is very important in the country. This experience is very useful. I will continue to keep expecting this. I will not let you retire. Once again, best wishes". |
