Address

by

Dr. Najma Heptulla

Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha

 

On the inaugural function

to mark the 200^th Session of Rajya Sabha

 

Central Hall, Parliament House

New Delhi

11^th December 2003

 

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Hon’ble Rashtrapati ji,

Hon’ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha

Hon’ble Prime Minister,

Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha

Hon’ble Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Shri Jaswant Singh ji

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji and

In Lok Sabha Sonia ji

Distinguished Ministers

Leaders of the Parties,

Hon’ble Members of Parliament,

Your Excellencies

Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha

Friends from Media

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Today is the occasion of great historic importance. Standing here in this Central Hall where the founding fathers of our Constitution laid the framework of democratic governance, I on behalf of Rajya Sabha, take the privilege of expressing our gratitude for making this inaugural function of 200th Session of the Rajya Sabha a success.  

 

As the verse of Mahabharat goes :

 

That’s not an Assembly where there

are no eldermen,

 

Those are not elders, who do not speak

with righteousness,

 

That’s no righteousness where there is

no truth,

 

That’s not the truth which leads one to

deceit.

 

Referred to as the House of Elders, the Rajya Sabha has provided a seasoned political leadership to the country. Ever since its first session in May 1952, Rajya Sabha has been an equal partner in strengthening the glorious traditions of our parliamentary democracy.  

 

The emergence of bicameral legislatures has been a significant evolution in parliamentary democracies. Today we have about seventy-five bicameral parliaments. It helps in broadening the base of parliamentary institutions by involving those sections, which may otherwise remain unrepresented.

 

The Second Chamber also acts as a safety valve against any error of judgment. In fact, the two chambers are complementary in scrutinizing any legislation.  

 

Constitutionally our Parliament means the two Houses and the President of our Republic.

 

Today, on this historic occasion we are honoured by your gracious presence Hon’ble President, Sir.

 

You are the custodian of our Constitution. All the legislations become the law only after your assent.

Your address to the joint Session every year elaborates the vision and mission before the nation.  Deliberation on the address is the very first on the agenda before the Parliament. Over the years, Presiding over the House, I have found them to be the most enriching and educating debates.

 

Sir, Some of your illustrious predecessors have also adorned the Chair of Rajya Sabha and I have had the honour of working with most of them. We take pride in this tradition.

 

Rajya Sabha has the privilege of having your distinguished nominees as its Members who have enriched the debates with their expertise.

 

Today, on behalf of the Rajya Sabha, I thank you for gracing this significant occasion and once again giving us the benefit of your vision. 

 

Hon’ble Chairman Sahab, we are thankful for your kind support and guidance in convening this momentous occasion. You have been associated with the democratic institutions for more than five decades since 1952. You were also a Member of Rajya Sabha.  Sir, in fact Rajya Sabha is just as old as your public life. Today under your leadership we are assembled here. The occasion reaffirms the role and relevance of Rajya Sabha in strengthening our parliamentary democracy.

 

Hon’ble Prime Minister, in your long and illustrious career as a Parliamentarian, you have twice been a Member of Rajya Sabha. I still remember your kind and encouraging words when I became the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.  Sir, your contributions are a valuable part of the archives of this House. A seasoned and senior parliamentarian, you have been a witness to gradual maturing of our parliamentary traditions.  As the House of Elders, Rajya Sabha will always welcome you in our midst.

 

The distinguished presence of Hon’ble Speaker Sahab is an emphatic affirmation of the close complementarity between the two Houses of our Parliament. I thank you for your gracious presence with us today.

 

In past twenty - four years I have seen the gradual change in the composition of the House. Atal ji is the eighth Prime Minister with whom I have worked in past sixteen years as the Deputy Chairman of this House. I have had the privilege of having some of the illustrious Leaders of Opposition as my bench mates. Today, I share my bench with Dr. Manmohan Singh ji.

 

Leader of the House Shri Jaswant Singh ji and I entered the Rajya Sabha together as first timers in 1980. Ever since it has been a long and memorable association.

 

Personally for me years in Rajya Sabha have been the most educative and gratifying experience. I am grateful for the felicitations. The occasion reminds me of some of the doyens with whom I had the opportunity to work in Rajya Sabha. Some of them are not with us today. Late Shri Bhupesh Gupta, Shri Piloo Mody, Dr Melcome Adsheshaiah and others. They contributed to make Rajya Sabha into a celebrated institution of debate and discourse.  Rajya Sabha bears their legacy.

 

This House has given three Prime Ministers to the country. Smt. Indira Gandhi when she first became the Prime Minister, was a Member of Rajya Sabha. Shri H.D. Deve Gowda and Shri I.K. Gujral too were Members of this House.

 

It is general feeling that Rajya Sabha has no control over financial matters. Yet it is Rajya Sabha that has given illustrious Finance Ministers in recent times and three of them are present here with us.  What more control is needed?

 

Hon’ble Ministers, the Leaders of the Political Parties from both the Houses and Hon’ble Members of Parliament! Your presence has enhanced the strength and esteem of our parliamentary traditions. We are thankful for adding élan to this occasion.

 

I thank Excellencies the Ambassadors and High Commissioners for joining us on this significant occasion that manifests the democratic values and stability of parliamentary institutions of the largest democracy of the world.   Our democratic experience is unique and has been acclaimed as the role model for newer democracies.  My election as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was a unanimous recognition of our democratic traditions by the global parliamentary community.

 

Media is a partner in democracy and a vital bridge between parliamentary institutions and people. I also thank the fourth estate for their support in our effort.

 

I commend the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for their efforts for today’s function. The impeccable arrangement is the result of their detailed and meticulous planning.

 

Our very special thanks to the artists Ms. Shobhna Rao and Shaila Rani who recited the Invocation for this auspicious occasion.

 

I also thank Department of Communications for facilitating the release of special commemorative Stamp on this occasion.

 

I thank all our guests for sparing their valuable time to join us in these celebrations.

 

May I invite this distinguished assembly to carry this vote of thanks with acclaim and applause.