This Sunday, the Nation Heard the Former President Pranab Da for One Last Time in The Parliament.
Calm and emotional, the 13th president of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee delivered his farewell speech in the Central Hall of the Parliament. On the last day of his tenure, the 81-year-old president was received by a sentimental Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Ms. Sumitra Mahajan, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar, and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his 20-minute-long speech, the president recalled all his beautiful memories. Remembering his journey from being a Congress politician to the topmost guardian of the country’s constitution, the former president reminded the MPs in attendance, of their duties.
For the last time in the Parliament, Pranab Da made some important points, such as the value of debate, dissent, and discussion. Stressing on the importance of discussion hour, the President said that disruption in the Parliament hurts the opposition more than the government because it deprives them of the opportunity to raise the public’s concern. He also appreciated the Prime Minister for driving major constitutional changes in the country!
Here are Some Excerpts from his Speech that Left us Teary-Eyed…
- The Opening Sentence was Enough to Get us Sentimental.
“Honourable Members, I would like to acknowledge my deep gratitude and appreciation to Honourable Speaker and the Honourable Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Honourable Members of Parliament for organising this farewell ceremony on the eve of my demitting office as the 13th President of the Republic of India.”
- When Pranab Da Made us Realize the How Great the Indian Constitution Is.
“The Indian Constitution consisting of 395 Articles and 12 Schedules is not merely a legal document for administration but the Magna Carta of socio-economic transformation of the country. It represents the hopes and aspirations of the billion plus Indians.”
- A Good Boss Always Realizes the Value of his Colleagues and Sub-ordinates.
“My years in Parliament were further enriched by the wisdom of P.V. Narasimha Rao, oration of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, cryptic one-liners of Madhu Limaye and Dr. Nath Pai, wit and humour of Piloo Modi, poetic discourses of Hiren Mukherjee, razor sharp repartee of Indrajit Gupta, calming presence of Dr. Manmohan Singh, mature advice of L.K. Advani and passionate support of Sonia Gandhi on social legislations…”
- Our democracy is a Constant Reminder of Our Endless Struggle for Independence.
“In a remarkable display of idealism and courage, we the people of India gave to ourselves a sovereign democratic republic to secure to all its citizens justice, liberty and equality. We undertook to promote amongst all citizens fraternity, the dignity of the individual and the unity of the nation. These ideas became the lodestars of the modern Indian state.”
- Irrespective of his Age, Education and Post, a Man shouldn’t Stop Learning.
“My long career has been instructive and educative. I entered Parliament at a time when the Rajya Sabha was full of experienced Parliamentarians and leaders of the freedom movement, many of whom were brilliant speakers: M.C. Chagla, Ajit Prasad Jain, Jairamdas Daulatram, Bhupesh Gupta, Joachim Alva, Mahavir Tyagi, Raj Narain, Bhai Mahavir, Loknath Misra, Chitta Basu and many more.”
- When Indira Gandhi was Questioned Regarding the Emergency.
“The first question that was flung at her was, “What have been your gains from the Emergency?” Looking at the journalist squarely in the eye, in a level voice, Indira Gandhi replied, “In those 21 months, we comprehensively managed to alienate all sections of Indian people.” Big silence followed by loud laughter!”
- Self-Correction Makes you a Better Person.
“I also learnt an early lesson of acknowledging my mistakes and rectifying them. Self-correction in such situations is always a better option than self-justification.”
- If you can’t Discuss on it or Explain it, You Don’t Understand it Enough.
“Listening to the stalwarts for hours and days in Parliament sitting in the Treasury or Opposition Benches, I felt one with the soul of this living institution. I understood the real value of debate, discussion and dissent.”
- India is a Living Example of Unity and Diversity
“I had the privilege of being a witness and a participant in the unfolding scenario of emergence of a great India. An India where 130 crore people belonging to three major ethnic groups – Aryans, Dravidians and Mongoloids – practicing 7 major religions and speaking 122 languages in daily lives live under one Constitution, one flag and one administrative system.”
- Because Every Story has a New Beginning
“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.”
(All Quotes have been Quoted from Financial Express Website)
