PM attends farewell function of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu at Balayogi Auditorium
“Venkaiah ji’s quality of always staying
active and engaged will keep him connected to public life for a long time to
come”
“We should always try to fulfil the expectations that he has from all the
Parliamentarians”
“Initiatives like ‘Bhashini’ and annual compendium of new words emerging
from Parliamentary debates will carry forward Venkaiah ji’s legacy of love for
the mother tongue”
The Prime
Minister Narendra Modi attended the farewell function for the Vice President M Venkaiah
Naidu at GMC Balayogi Auditorium here today.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister pointed out
the quality of Venkaiah Naidu of always staying active and engaged, a quality
that will always keep him connected with the activities of public life. Modi
recalled his long association with Venkiah Naidu and remembered Naidu’s
preference for Rural Development as portfolio when he was to be picked up as a
Minister in the Vajpayee government. A portfolio that he served with
distinction. The Prime Minister also pointed out that Naidu has overseen both
the portfolios - Rural Development as well as Urban development. The Prime
Minister also mentioned the rare distinction of the Vice President to be the
first member of the Rajya Sabha to be its Chairman and the Vice President. This
and the experience of Parliamentary Affairs Minister helped him run the House
with great command and ease, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also appreciated Naidu’s quest to
empower and enhance the capabilities of the House, members, and the Committees.
The Prime Minister said that it is important that we should always try to
fulfil the expectations that he has from all the Parliamentarians.
Praising Naidu’s discipline of time management, the Prime
Minister also remembered that how during the time of Corona restrictions, the
Vice President did ‘tele-yatras’ that is getting in touch with with people who
figured in his long public life over the phone, giving solace and
encouragements during the difficult times. Similarly he stayed in touch with
all the MPs during the pandemic. The Prime Minister also remembered the
incident when during a visit to Bihar, Naidu’s helicopter had to be force
landed and a farmer helped him. The Prime Minister said that Naidu has
maintained contact with the farmer and his family till today. The Prime
Minister expressed the hope that he will continue to guide the people in public
life with the same dedication and wisdom for a very long time to come.
Acknowledging the Naidu’s regard for the mother tongue,
the Prime Minister mentioned Bhashini - National Public Digital Platform for
languages to develop services and products for citizens by leveraging the power
of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. He asked the
members of both houses to take a look. He also asked the Speaker and Dy Chairman
Rajya Sabha to collect good new words that have emerged due to debates in
mother tongue and add them to enrich the languages of the country. By
starting the annual tradition of releasing a collection of good words, we will
take forward Venkiahji’s legacy of love for the mother tongue, he said.