President Mukherjee gets nostalgic in farewell speech, remembers Indira Gandhi, praises PM Modi
Source: The Sangai Express / (With Agency inputs)
New Delhi, July 23 2017:
An emotional Pranab Mukherjee in his farewell speech as President said in Parliament on Sunday that he had tried to protect and defend the Constitution both in letter and in spirit .
He also remembered his ‘mentor’ and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a ‘towering personality’ .
“In last five years, my principal responsibility was to function as the guardian of the Constitution.
As I had said on oath, I strived to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution, not just in word but also in spirit.
In this task, I greatly benefited from the advice and cooperation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at every step,” he said .
Praising the current Prime Minister he said, “I will carry with me fond memories of my association with PM Modi and remember his warm and courteous behaviour towards me.”
Recalling his days as a member of the House, the President said, “When I first entered the portals of this hallowed institution 48 years ago, I was only 34 years old.
In July 1969, I came to this Parliament as a member of Rajya Sabha representing one of the six seats from the State of West Bengal.
My election to Rajya Sabha took place on 4th July and the first session I attended began on July 22nd, 1969.Since then, for 37 years I served as a member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
I am a creation of this Parliament whose political outlook and persona has been shaped by this temple of democracy.
My long career has been instructive and educative.
Listening to stalwarts for hours and days in Parliament, I understood the real value of debate, discussion and dissent.”
In his 20-minute speech, President Mukherjee also reminded the Parliamentarians of their duties .
“Indian Constitution is not merely a legal document for administration but the Magna Carta of socio-economic transformation.
Indian Constitution represents the hopes and aspirations of the billion plus Indians,” the President pointed out .
“Recent passage of GST and its launch on 1st July is a shining example of co-operative federalism.
With the heightened complexity of administration, legislation must be preceded by scrutiny and adequate discussion.
Scrutiny in committees is no substitute to open discussion on the floor of the House.
When Parliament fails to discharge its law-making role it breaches the trust reposed in it by the people,” he told the Parliamentarians .
Talking about the former Congress PM he said, “My career as a Parliamentarian was no doubt mentored by Indira Gandhi.
Her steely determination, clarity of thought and decisive actions made her a towering personality.”
President Mukherjee also narrated an interesting incident that happened in London after the Congress’ defeat post Emergency .
“After the Congress’ and her own defeat post Emergency, she went to London in 1978.A battery of media persons, in a fairly aggressive mood were waiting to ask questions.
The first question was – 'What had been your gains from Emergency?’ Looking directly into their eyes, in a level voice she replied – 'In those 21 months we comprehensively managed to alienate all sections of people’.After a few seconds of silence, there was laughter.
Nobody after that asked a question about Emergency and the media persons melted away,” he said .
On an emotional note he said, “As I retire from the office of the President of the Republic, my association with the Parliament also comes to an end.
I will no longer be a part of the Parliament of India.
It will be with a tinge of sadness and a rainbow of memories that I will be leaving this magnificent building today.
Dear friends, with a sense of gratitude and a prayer in my heart, I take leave of you.
I leave with a sense of fulfilment and happiness of having served the people of this great country through this institution- as their humble servant.”
81 year old Mukherjee was received by Vice President Hamid Ansari, PM Modi and others.
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