Venkaiah Naidu steps down, gets an emotional farewell; Vice President who encouraged the youth, says PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Venkaiah Naidu, who will complete his tenure as the 13th Vice President of India tomorrow, was given a farewell by the Rajya Sabha and the entire Parliament. Yesterday was Venkaiah Naidu's last working day as Rajya Sabha Speaker as the Monsoon session ended early.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the farewell speech in the Rajya Sabha that Naidu's contribution as a BJP leader and as a parliamentarian was great. The Prime Minister said he has worked with Naidu closely over the years and seen him take up different responsibilities and perform each of them with great dedication.

Lauding the power of speech of the vice President, PM Modi said, "The one-liners of Venkaiah Naidu ji are famous. They are wit-liners. His command over the languages has always been great."

"There is both depth and substance in what Venkaiah ji says," said the Prime Minister while initiating the farewell speech to honour the Vice President.

As our Vice President, the Prime Minister said "You devoted a lot of time to youth welfare. A lot of your programmes were focused on Yuva Shakti."

One of the admirable things about Naidu ji is his passion for Indian languages, said the Prime Minister, adding "this was reflected in how he presided over the House".

"He contributed to increased productivity of the Rajya Sabha. Around 70 per cent productivity of Rajya Sabha increased in your tenure and almost 177 Bills either passed or debate were held on them," said the Prime Minister.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjuna Kharge, Trinamool member Derrick O'Brien, members like Benoy Viswam, Abdul Wahab, John Brittas and PT Usha from Kerala also spoke.

Urging members to maintain decency, dignity and decorum so that the image and respect of the House is maintained, Venkaiah Naidu said that members across political divide were not enemies but rivals and they must work hard to outshine each other like competitors but not to run down each other.

"The entire world is watching India. India is on the rise. India is on the move. I appeal to the members of the Rajya Sabha and to those who are going to come to this House in future, to maintain decency, dignity and decorum so that the image and respect of the House is maintained and people will be receptive to show us, to hear us and also to follow our advice," he said.

Noting that people watch proceedings of the House, Naidu said sometimes he has had act strictly to maintain decorum but he was not happy naming members.

"It gives me no enjoyment to take such extreme action. I have no ill-will against anybody or any party."

The farewell ceremony was held in the evening at Balayogi Hall in the Parliament Annex and was attended by the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and MPs of both houses.