Modi Pays Tribute to 59 Retiring Rajya Sabha Members

In New Delhi on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha during its ongoing budget session, paying tribute to 59 members retiring between April and July after completing their six-year terms. The biennial farewell ceremony highlighted the contributions of the outgoing legislators from 20 states, including nine women, and underscored the continuity of India's parliamentary traditions.

Modi emphasized the unifying nature of such occasions, noting that they foster respect across party lines. "When an occasion such as this arises naturally and spontaneously, we rise above partisan differences, and a shared sentiment emerges within us all," he said. He reassured those not returning that their roles in public life persist, stating, "In politics, there is no such thing as a full stop. The future awaits you as well, and your experience and contributions will forever remain an enduring part of our national life."

The prime minister reserved special praise for veteran leaders former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, who have dedicated more than half their lives to...