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Prime Minister's Office
28-March, 2018 12:02 IST
PM’s farewell remarks to retiring Rajya Sabha Members
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today commended the contributions of all the retiring Members of the Rajya Sabha, and wished them well for the future.
In his remarks in the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Members retiring from the House, would now play an even stronger role in social service. He said all of them have a unique importance, and have contributed in their own way. He added that they have worked to the best of their ability for the brighter future of the nation. The Nation can never forget their contribution, he said.
The Prime Minister said that the Upper House, with senior Members, has a unique significance. It plays a key role in policy formulation, he added.
The Prime Minister made a special mention of many retiring MPs and their contributions.
The Prime Minister said that it is unfortunate that the retiring Members will not be a part of Parliament, when the long due decision on Triple Talaq is taken.
He assured the retiring members that the doors of Parliament and PMO are always open for them, and urged them to continue sharing their thoughts on vital issues of the day.
***
Prime Minister's Office
28-March, 2018 13:58 IST
Text of PM’s farewell speech to the retiring members of Rajya Sabha
आदरणीय सभापति जी, सम्माननीय सदन।
हम में से कुछ साथी अब इस अनुभव को ले करके समाज सेवा की अपनी भूमिका को और मजबूत करेंगे, ऐसा मेरा पूरा विश्वास है। सदन में से जो जाने वालेवाले महानुभाव हैं, इनका हरेक का अपना योगदान है, हरेक का अपना महात्मय है और हर किसी ने राष्ट्र के उज्ज्वल भविष्य के लिए इस सदन में रहते हुए जो भी योगदान कर सकते हैं, करने का प्रयास किया है। और उन सबको राष्ट्र कभी भूल नहीं सकता है।
मेरी तरफ से आपकी सब उत्तम सेवाओं के लिए आप सबको बहुत-बहुत बधाई है और भविष्य के लिए आपको बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं भी हैं।
ये सदन उन वरिष्ठ महानुभावों का है कि जिनके जीवन का अनुभव सदन में value addition करता है। समाज जीवन की आशा-आकांक्षाओं को एक निष्पक्ष भाव से तराजू से तोल करके भविष्य की समाज व्यवस्था में क्या पूरक होगा क्या पूरक नहीं होगा, उसका लेखा-जोखा करने का सामर्थ्य इस वरिष्ठ सदन में रहता है, वरिष्ठ महानुभावों से रहता है और उसके कारण यहां पर जो बात बताई जाती है उसका अपना एक विशेष मूल्य है, उसका एक विशेष महत्व है और वो महत्व ही है जो हमारे नीति निर्धारण में बहुत बड़ी अहम भूमिका अदा करता है।
हमारे बीच में आदरणीय पराशरण जी जैसे महानुभाव, जिन्होंने अपने जीवन में एक professionalism के साथ-साथ एक तपस्वी जीवन भी जिया है। ऐसे लोग हमारे बीच थे, सदन में से हमें उनका लाभ नहीं मिलेगा।
दो, भारत जिनके लिए गर्व करता है, ऐसे खिलाड़ी श्रीमान दिलीप जी और सचिन जी, ये दो भी आने वाले दिनों में हमारे बीच में, उनका लाभ हमें नहीं मिल पाएगा। प्रोफेसर कुरियन साहब को हमेशा लोग याद करेंगे। उनका हंसता हुआ चेहरा हमेशा, और सीखना चाहिए कि बात तो वही बतानी है लेकिन हंसते हुए बतानी है, उनकी विशेषता रही और उसी के कारण संकट की घड़ी में भी सदन को ठीक से चलाने में उनकी अहम भूमिका रही है।
ये बात सही है कि हम में से बहुत कम लोग हैं जिसके पीछे दल और दल की विचारधारा का नाता न रहा हो। बहुत कम लोग हैं, ज्यादातर हम वही लोग हैं जिनका कोई न कोई background है और इसलिए स्वाभाविक है यहां पर उन बातों को प्रतिस्थापित करने के लिए हम लोगों का प्रयास रहना बहुत स्वाभाविक भी है।
लेकिन ये भी अपेक्षा रहती है कि जो ग्रीन हाउस में होता है वो रेड हाउस में होना ही चाहिए, जरूरी नहीं है। और इसलिए क्योंकि एक वरिष्ठ सदन का अपना एक महात्मय रहता है, हरेक ने अपनी-अपनी उस भूमिका को निभाया है।
मैं मानता हूं शायद आप में से बहुत लोग होंगे जिन्होंने सोचा होगा कि जब आखिरी सत्र होगा तो ये विषय मैं उठाऊंगा, मैं ऐसी तैयारी करके जाऊंगा कि जाते-जाते एक बड़ा ऐतिहासिक भाषण करके जाऊं, मैं ऐसे विचार रख करके देश के लिए कुछेक महत्वपूर्ण काम के अंदर अपना योगदान दे करके जाऊं, लेकिन शायद वो सौभाग्य जाते-जाते आप लोगों को नहीं मिला। उसके लिए यहां की जिम्मेदारी नहीं है, यहां से यहां तक हम सबकी जिम्मेदारी है कि आपको ऐसे ही जाना पड़ रहा है।
अच्छा होता आप जाने से पहले कोई महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय में बहुत ही उत्तम प्रकार की भूमिका निभा करके आखिर-आखिर में कोई उत्तम चीजें छोड़ करके जाने का अवसर मिल गया होता तो आपको एक विशेष संतोष होता। लेकिन शायद इस सदन का ही कारण रहा कि आप उस सौभाग्य से वंचित रह गए गए। कल तो लग रहा कि शायद आज ये भी मौका छूट जाएगा। लेकिन चेयरमैन श्री ने काफी मेहनत की, सबको समझाने का प्रयास किया, सबको साथ लेने का प्रयास किया। श्रीमान विजय जी भी लगे रहे। आखिरकार ये संभव हुआ कि आज सभी जाने वाले सदस्य अपनी भावना प्रकट कर पाएंगे। लेकिन फिर भी किसी महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय में जो योगदान, इतिहास जिसको हमेशा याद रखता है, वो सौभाग्य आप में से, जाते समय वाला; बीच में तो आपको जरूर अवसर मिला है, उसका आपने उपयोग भी किया है, वो एक छूट गया है। ाी म
ट्रिपल तलाक जैसे महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय जो हिन्दुस्तान के आने वाले इतिहास में बहुत बड़ी भूमिका अदा करने वाले हैं, उसका निर्णय करने की प्रक्रिया से आप वंचित रह गए। जो वापिस आए हैं उनको तो सौभाग्य मिलेगा लेकिन जो जा रहे हैं उनको शायद इस ऐतिहासिक महत्वपूर्ण फैसले से वंचित रहना पड़ा, उसका भी कुछ न कुछ तो मन में कसक, आज नहीं तो दस साल, बीस साल, पच्चीस साल बाद जरूर रहेगी, ऐसा मैं मानता हूं। लेकिन अच्छा होता ये सारी चीजें हम कर पाते।
मैं फिर एक बार जो सभी माननीय, आदरणीय सदस्यगण जा रहे हैं, उनको शुभ कामनाएं देता हूं। मैं एक आपके साथी के नाते आपसे एक आग्रह करूंगा कि आप ये मत मानिए कि सदन के दरवाजे बंद होने से इस पूरे परिसर के दरवाजे बंद होते हैं। आपके लिए इस परिसर के दरवाजे खुले हैं, प्रधानमंत्री का कार्यालय खुला है।
देश के हित में आपके मन में जब भी, जो भी विचार आएं, आप जरूर आएं, मुझे अच्छा लगेगा आपको सुनने का, आपको समझने का और आपके विचारों को जहां भी होंगे आप योगदान देंगे, मैं उसको आगे पहुंचाने का जरूर प्रयास करूंगा।
मैं फिर एक बार आपको बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद देता हूं, बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं देता हूं।
अतुल तिवारी/ शाहबाज हसीबी/सतीश शर्मा/ निर्मल शर्मा
****************
Vice President's Secretariat
28-March, 2018 15:12 IST
Our bond with the people we serve is a bond that endures and it continues: Vice President
Rajya Sabha exemplifies the principle of change and continuity in our polity; Addresses retiring members of Rajya Sabha
The Vice President of India and the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that our bond with the people we serve is a bond that endures and it continues and only gets strengthened with each passing year. He further said that the principle of continuity is the hallmark of Rajya Sabha and we take pride in the strength of this fine blend of continuity with change. He was addressing the retiring members of Rajya Sabha, in Parliament today.
Saying Rajya Sabha exemplifies the principle of change and continuity in our polity, the Vice President appealed all political parties to give adequate representation to women in legislatures adding that participation of women Members in the proceedings of Rajya Sabha has been very significant. It is a matter of concern that despite the stellar contributions made by many women members, they still constitute only 11.7 per cent of the total membership of the House, he added.
The Vice President expressed his anguish on the way Rajya Sabha has been functioning for the past few days and said that disruptions have unfortunately become a part of political tactic and the House has often become the theatre of protest politics.
The Vice President asked retiring members to view it as an opportunity to promote the welfare of the people and not as a retirement from public life. There is no retirement to the politicians once they enter public life, he added.
On the occasion, the Vice President appreciated Prof. Kurien for his valuable guidance and cooperation. His professional advice has helped me immensely in discharging my duties and responsibilities, the Vice President said adding contributions made by each member always enriched and enlivened the debates in the House.
Following is the text of Vice President’s address:
“Rajya Sabha exemplifies the principle of change and continuity in our polity. As sixty members from seventeen States including four Nominated Members are retiring during April to July 2018 on completion of their tenure.
In the Rajya Sabha, we have this change every two years and this change co-exists alongside continuity. The new Members come with a new outlook, a new orientation and a new insight and they will certainly have the benefit of learning from some of the veteran Members who have excelled in their parliamentary work. This principle of continuity is the hallmark of Rajya Sabha and we take pride in the strength of this fine blend of continuity with change.
This time, we are bidding farewell to many stalwarts of the House including Hon'ble Deputy Chairman, Prof. P.J. Kurien. I would like to place on record my deep sense of appreciation to Prof. Kurien for the valuable guidance and cooperation that I have received from him. His professional advice has helped me immensely in discharging my duties and responsibilities. I would also like to take this opportunity to mention that our former Hon'ble Deputy Chairman, Shri K. Rahman Khan is also retiring. When he presided over the House, I used to be a Member of this House representing the state of Karnataka, the State which he also represented. I have had the pleasure of witnessing him conducting the proceedings with a measure of dignity and grace.
Those who are retiring include many of our veteran members who have completed more than a decade in the House. Over these years, we have forged a common bond of friendship and purpose to take forward the cause of parliamentary democracy. On this occasion, let me place on record the contributions made by them which have always enriched and enlivened the debates in the House. Their initiative and participation in the Committees have been invaluable.
I would like to mention that four of our nominated members Ms. Rekha, Ms. Anu Aga, Shri Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and Shri K. Parasaran are also retiring. These eminent Members with their enormous accomplishments in their respective fields have enhanced the stature and profile of the House.
Among those who are retiring, we also have more than a dozen Members from legal profession. I would like to mention that the contributions of these Members to the debates of the Rajya Sabha have been of very high quality reflecting their nuanced understanding of the legal and constitutional issues.
The participation of women Members in the proceedings of Rajya Sabha has been very significant. It is a matter of concern that despite the stellar contributions made by many women members, they still constitute only 11.7 per cent of the total membership of the House. Six of our women Members are retiring this time and 2 of them are returning to the house, besides 3 new women members will be entering the house. As against this in 2016 biennial elections, while ten women Members retired, only three women members got elected. It is ironical that even though Rajya Sabha is proud that it has passed the Women's Reservation Bill way back in 2010 seeking better representation of women in legislative bodies, there is still a very low representation of women in this House. While expressing my heartfelt appreciation for the valuable contributions and services rendered by our women Members, I hope that all political parties would appreciate that providing adequate representation to women in Parliament and State legislatures has to be accorded priority.
Some of the Members who are retiring would be getting re-elected and would continue to work with us, I hope, with renewed vigour and zeal. I am glad that the Hon'ble Leader of the House, Shri Arun Jaitley Ji is also back with us. We congratulate him as well as other Ministers and Members on their re-election.
For those Members who would be leaving us, I would like to mention that this retirement from Rajya Sabha should be viewed as an opportunity to promote the welfare of the people and not as a retirement from public life.
Once we are in public life there is, in my view, no retirement.
Our bond with the people we serve is a bond that endures. It continues and only gets strengthened with each passing year.
I have had the honour of being the Chair for the last three Sessions. During this short span of time, I have had mixed emotions. On the one hand, I have witnessed very high quality of debates on several occasions and on the other hand, I am filled with sadness at the disorderly, indisciplined, intemperate conduct of some of us. In this current Session, I had, on several occasions, appealed to the good sense of the political parties, their leaders and the Members to ensure the smooth functioning of the House. I must confess that I am deeply perturbed at the way we have been conducting ourselves.
Disruptions have unfortunately become a part of political tactic and the House has often become the theatre of protest politics.
I would like to see a more constructive engagement with public issues in the future and a behaviour that befits the dignity and stature that people of this great country have bestowed upon us.
Let us not further erode the quality of our polity. Let us leave a legacy of powerful ideas, fruitful debates and respectful behaviour.
To each one of you, dear Members who are retiring from this House, I take this opportunity to wish you good health, happiness, fulfilment in life, and many more years of service to the nation.
Thank you. Jai Hind!”
***
28-March, 2018 12:02 IST
PM’s farewell remarks to retiring Rajya Sabha Members
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today commended the contributions of all the retiring Members of the Rajya Sabha, and wished them well for the future.
In his remarks in the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Members retiring from the House, would now play an even stronger role in social service. He said all of them have a unique importance, and have contributed in their own way. He added that they have worked to the best of their ability for the brighter future of the nation. The Nation can never forget their contribution, he said.
The Prime Minister said that the Upper House, with senior Members, has a unique significance. It plays a key role in policy formulation, he added.
The Prime Minister made a special mention of many retiring MPs and their contributions.
The Prime Minister said that it is unfortunate that the retiring Members will not be a part of Parliament, when the long due decision on Triple Talaq is taken.
He assured the retiring members that the doors of Parliament and PMO are always open for them, and urged them to continue sharing their thoughts on vital issues of the day.
***
Prime Minister's Office
28-March, 2018 13:58 IST
Text of PM’s farewell speech to the retiring members of Rajya Sabha
आदरणीय सभापति जी, सम्माननीय सदन।
हम में से कुछ साथी अब इस अनुभव को ले करके समाज सेवा की अपनी भूमिका को और मजबूत करेंगे, ऐसा मेरा पूरा विश्वास है। सदन में से जो जाने वालेवाले महानुभाव हैं, इनका हरेक का अपना योगदान है, हरेक का अपना महात्मय है और हर किसी ने राष्ट्र के उज्ज्वल भविष्य के लिए इस सदन में रहते हुए जो भी योगदान कर सकते हैं, करने का प्रयास किया है। और उन सबको राष्ट्र कभी भूल नहीं सकता है।
मेरी तरफ से आपकी सब उत्तम सेवाओं के लिए आप सबको बहुत-बहुत बधाई है और भविष्य के लिए आपको बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं भी हैं।
ये सदन उन वरिष्ठ महानुभावों का है कि जिनके जीवन का अनुभव सदन में value addition करता है। समाज जीवन की आशा-आकांक्षाओं को एक निष्पक्ष भाव से तराजू से तोल करके भविष्य की समाज व्यवस्था में क्या पूरक होगा क्या पूरक नहीं होगा, उसका लेखा-जोखा करने का सामर्थ्य इस वरिष्ठ सदन में रहता है, वरिष्ठ महानुभावों से रहता है और उसके कारण यहां पर जो बात बताई जाती है उसका अपना एक विशेष मूल्य है, उसका एक विशेष महत्व है और वो महत्व ही है जो हमारे नीति निर्धारण में बहुत बड़ी अहम भूमिका अदा करता है।
हमारे बीच में आदरणीय पराशरण जी जैसे महानुभाव, जिन्होंने अपने जीवन में एक professionalism के साथ-साथ एक तपस्वी जीवन भी जिया है। ऐसे लोग हमारे बीच थे, सदन में से हमें उनका लाभ नहीं मिलेगा।
दो, भारत जिनके लिए गर्व करता है, ऐसे खिलाड़ी श्रीमान दिलीप जी और सचिन जी, ये दो भी आने वाले दिनों में हमारे बीच में, उनका लाभ हमें नहीं मिल पाएगा। प्रोफेसर कुरियन साहब को हमेशा लोग याद करेंगे। उनका हंसता हुआ चेहरा हमेशा, और सीखना चाहिए कि बात तो वही बतानी है लेकिन हंसते हुए बतानी है, उनकी विशेषता रही और उसी के कारण संकट की घड़ी में भी सदन को ठीक से चलाने में उनकी अहम भूमिका रही है।
ये बात सही है कि हम में से बहुत कम लोग हैं जिसके पीछे दल और दल की विचारधारा का नाता न रहा हो। बहुत कम लोग हैं, ज्यादातर हम वही लोग हैं जिनका कोई न कोई background है और इसलिए स्वाभाविक है यहां पर उन बातों को प्रतिस्थापित करने के लिए हम लोगों का प्रयास रहना बहुत स्वाभाविक भी है।
लेकिन ये भी अपेक्षा रहती है कि जो ग्रीन हाउस में होता है वो रेड हाउस में होना ही चाहिए, जरूरी नहीं है। और इसलिए क्योंकि एक वरिष्ठ सदन का अपना एक महात्मय रहता है, हरेक ने अपनी-अपनी उस भूमिका को निभाया है।
मैं मानता हूं शायद आप में से बहुत लोग होंगे जिन्होंने सोचा होगा कि जब आखिरी सत्र होगा तो ये विषय मैं उठाऊंगा, मैं ऐसी तैयारी करके जाऊंगा कि जाते-जाते एक बड़ा ऐतिहासिक भाषण करके जाऊं, मैं ऐसे विचार रख करके देश के लिए कुछेक महत्वपूर्ण काम के अंदर अपना योगदान दे करके जाऊं, लेकिन शायद वो सौभाग्य जाते-जाते आप लोगों को नहीं मिला। उसके लिए यहां की जिम्मेदारी नहीं है, यहां से यहां तक हम सबकी जिम्मेदारी है कि आपको ऐसे ही जाना पड़ रहा है।
अच्छा होता आप जाने से पहले कोई महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय में बहुत ही उत्तम प्रकार की भूमिका निभा करके आखिर-आखिर में कोई उत्तम चीजें छोड़ करके जाने का अवसर मिल गया होता तो आपको एक विशेष संतोष होता। लेकिन शायद इस सदन का ही कारण रहा कि आप उस सौभाग्य से वंचित रह गए गए। कल तो लग रहा कि शायद आज ये भी मौका छूट जाएगा। लेकिन चेयरमैन श्री ने काफी मेहनत की, सबको समझाने का प्रयास किया, सबको साथ लेने का प्रयास किया। श्रीमान विजय जी भी लगे रहे। आखिरकार ये संभव हुआ कि आज सभी जाने वाले सदस्य अपनी भावना प्रकट कर पाएंगे। लेकिन फिर भी किसी महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय में जो योगदान, इतिहास जिसको हमेशा याद रखता है, वो सौभाग्य आप में से, जाते समय वाला; बीच में तो आपको जरूर अवसर मिला है, उसका आपने उपयोग भी किया है, वो एक छूट गया है। ाी म
ट्रिपल तलाक जैसे महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय जो हिन्दुस्तान के आने वाले इतिहास में बहुत बड़ी भूमिका अदा करने वाले हैं, उसका निर्णय करने की प्रक्रिया से आप वंचित रह गए। जो वापिस आए हैं उनको तो सौभाग्य मिलेगा लेकिन जो जा रहे हैं उनको शायद इस ऐतिहासिक महत्वपूर्ण फैसले से वंचित रहना पड़ा, उसका भी कुछ न कुछ तो मन में कसक, आज नहीं तो दस साल, बीस साल, पच्चीस साल बाद जरूर रहेगी, ऐसा मैं मानता हूं। लेकिन अच्छा होता ये सारी चीजें हम कर पाते।
मैं फिर एक बार जो सभी माननीय, आदरणीय सदस्यगण जा रहे हैं, उनको शुभ कामनाएं देता हूं। मैं एक आपके साथी के नाते आपसे एक आग्रह करूंगा कि आप ये मत मानिए कि सदन के दरवाजे बंद होने से इस पूरे परिसर के दरवाजे बंद होते हैं। आपके लिए इस परिसर के दरवाजे खुले हैं, प्रधानमंत्री का कार्यालय खुला है।
देश के हित में आपके मन में जब भी, जो भी विचार आएं, आप जरूर आएं, मुझे अच्छा लगेगा आपको सुनने का, आपको समझने का और आपके विचारों को जहां भी होंगे आप योगदान देंगे, मैं उसको आगे पहुंचाने का जरूर प्रयास करूंगा।
मैं फिर एक बार आपको बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद देता हूं, बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं देता हूं।
अतुल तिवारी/ शाहबाज हसीबी/सतीश शर्मा/ निर्मल शर्मा
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Vice President's Secretariat
28-March, 2018 15:12 IST
Our bond with the people we serve is a bond that endures and it continues: Vice President
Rajya Sabha exemplifies the principle of change and continuity in our polity; Addresses retiring members of Rajya Sabha
The Vice President of India and the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that our bond with the people we serve is a bond that endures and it continues and only gets strengthened with each passing year. He further said that the principle of continuity is the hallmark of Rajya Sabha and we take pride in the strength of this fine blend of continuity with change. He was addressing the retiring members of Rajya Sabha, in Parliament today.
Saying Rajya Sabha exemplifies the principle of change and continuity in our polity, the Vice President appealed all political parties to give adequate representation to women in legislatures adding that participation of women Members in the proceedings of Rajya Sabha has been very significant. It is a matter of concern that despite the stellar contributions made by many women members, they still constitute only 11.7 per cent of the total membership of the House, he added.
The Vice President expressed his anguish on the way Rajya Sabha has been functioning for the past few days and said that disruptions have unfortunately become a part of political tactic and the House has often become the theatre of protest politics.
The Vice President asked retiring members to view it as an opportunity to promote the welfare of the people and not as a retirement from public life. There is no retirement to the politicians once they enter public life, he added.
On the occasion, the Vice President appreciated Prof. Kurien for his valuable guidance and cooperation. His professional advice has helped me immensely in discharging my duties and responsibilities, the Vice President said adding contributions made by each member always enriched and enlivened the debates in the House.
Following is the text of Vice President’s address:
“Rajya Sabha exemplifies the principle of change and continuity in our polity. As sixty members from seventeen States including four Nominated Members are retiring during April to July 2018 on completion of their tenure.
In the Rajya Sabha, we have this change every two years and this change co-exists alongside continuity. The new Members come with a new outlook, a new orientation and a new insight and they will certainly have the benefit of learning from some of the veteran Members who have excelled in their parliamentary work. This principle of continuity is the hallmark of Rajya Sabha and we take pride in the strength of this fine blend of continuity with change.
This time, we are bidding farewell to many stalwarts of the House including Hon'ble Deputy Chairman, Prof. P.J. Kurien. I would like to place on record my deep sense of appreciation to Prof. Kurien for the valuable guidance and cooperation that I have received from him. His professional advice has helped me immensely in discharging my duties and responsibilities. I would also like to take this opportunity to mention that our former Hon'ble Deputy Chairman, Shri K. Rahman Khan is also retiring. When he presided over the House, I used to be a Member of this House representing the state of Karnataka, the State which he also represented. I have had the pleasure of witnessing him conducting the proceedings with a measure of dignity and grace.
Those who are retiring include many of our veteran members who have completed more than a decade in the House. Over these years, we have forged a common bond of friendship and purpose to take forward the cause of parliamentary democracy. On this occasion, let me place on record the contributions made by them which have always enriched and enlivened the debates in the House. Their initiative and participation in the Committees have been invaluable.
I would like to mention that four of our nominated members Ms. Rekha, Ms. Anu Aga, Shri Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and Shri K. Parasaran are also retiring. These eminent Members with their enormous accomplishments in their respective fields have enhanced the stature and profile of the House.
Among those who are retiring, we also have more than a dozen Members from legal profession. I would like to mention that the contributions of these Members to the debates of the Rajya Sabha have been of very high quality reflecting their nuanced understanding of the legal and constitutional issues.
The participation of women Members in the proceedings of Rajya Sabha has been very significant. It is a matter of concern that despite the stellar contributions made by many women members, they still constitute only 11.7 per cent of the total membership of the House. Six of our women Members are retiring this time and 2 of them are returning to the house, besides 3 new women members will be entering the house. As against this in 2016 biennial elections, while ten women Members retired, only three women members got elected. It is ironical that even though Rajya Sabha is proud that it has passed the Women's Reservation Bill way back in 2010 seeking better representation of women in legislative bodies, there is still a very low representation of women in this House. While expressing my heartfelt appreciation for the valuable contributions and services rendered by our women Members, I hope that all political parties would appreciate that providing adequate representation to women in Parliament and State legislatures has to be accorded priority.
Some of the Members who are retiring would be getting re-elected and would continue to work with us, I hope, with renewed vigour and zeal. I am glad that the Hon'ble Leader of the House, Shri Arun Jaitley Ji is also back with us. We congratulate him as well as other Ministers and Members on their re-election.
For those Members who would be leaving us, I would like to mention that this retirement from Rajya Sabha should be viewed as an opportunity to promote the welfare of the people and not as a retirement from public life.
Once we are in public life there is, in my view, no retirement.
Our bond with the people we serve is a bond that endures. It continues and only gets strengthened with each passing year.
I have had the honour of being the Chair for the last three Sessions. During this short span of time, I have had mixed emotions. On the one hand, I have witnessed very high quality of debates on several occasions and on the other hand, I am filled with sadness at the disorderly, indisciplined, intemperate conduct of some of us. In this current Session, I had, on several occasions, appealed to the good sense of the political parties, their leaders and the Members to ensure the smooth functioning of the House. I must confess that I am deeply perturbed at the way we have been conducting ourselves.
Disruptions have unfortunately become a part of political tactic and the House has often become the theatre of protest politics.
I would like to see a more constructive engagement with public issues in the future and a behaviour that befits the dignity and stature that people of this great country have bestowed upon us.
Let us not further erode the quality of our polity. Let us leave a legacy of powerful ideas, fruitful debates and respectful behaviour.
To each one of you, dear Members who are retiring from this House, I take this opportunity to wish you good health, happiness, fulfilment in life, and many more years of service to the nation.
Thank you. Jai Hind!”
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