New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday extolled Congress leader and his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh for being an “inspirational example” to the House.
Addressing the farewell of retiring members of the Rajya Sabha, Modi said Singh had contributed his valuable ideas as a leader of government as well as that of the Opposition. “His contribution has been indelible. There is always a clash of ideas in Parliament… differences of opinion. But Manmohan Singhji for long has shown the way to the House and the country,” Modi said.
He added that Singh would be remembered whenever India’s democracy will be discussed in future.
Modi urged present MPs and those “coming in” to learn from such legislators, irrespective of which party they belonged to. “Look at the way they live their lives, the way they exhibit their talent in the House… try to learn from such guiding lights,” he added.
Modi lauded Singh’s presence in the House during a recent voting in Parliament, when he came in a wheelchair. “He knew the treasury bench would win, but Dr Manmohan Singh came in a wheelchair, he voted and proved how alert he was to his duty. He is an inspirational example,” Modi said.
Last August, Singh had come to Parliament in a wheelchair during a discussion on a key bill that wanted to empower the Centre to make rules about the Delhi government.
During the July Presidential elections, too, Singh arrived in a wheelchair to cast his vote.
A six-time MP, Singh served as the country’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. He was also the finance minister in the P.V. Narasimha Rao government and RBI Governor from 1982 to 1985.
Incidentally, 68 members of Rajya Sabha are retiring between February and May after completing their term.
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Good Morning Mr. Prime minister. Sir is our alumnus.