NEW DELHI : Rajya Sabha on Monday applauded the Members who have been felicitated with Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awards this year.
Soon after assembling at 1100 hrs, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced the names of sitting and former Members of the House who were honoured with the prestigious second and third highest civilian awards.
While Ms Mary Kom was decorated with Padma Vibhushan, former Members– George Fernandes, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj– were felicitated posthumously.
Lauding their role in their respective fields, Mr Naidu said Mary Kom is not merely a six-time winner of World Boxing Championship but is also the first woman sportsperson to be decorated with the award.
“I wish that Olympian Mary Kom bring more and more laurels in future for the country”, Mr Naidu said.
He informed the House that the three former Members of the House– George Fernandes, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj– were also awarded with Padma Vibhushan, posthumously for their exceptional and distinguished services in the public life.
Referring the contribution of Late George Fernandes, he said that he was former Cabinet Minister in the Atal Behari Vajpayee’s Government.
“Arun Jaitley was a distinguished lawyer, an excellent orator and Minister for Finance and Defence in the NDA Government from 2014 -19. As the Finance Minister, he facilitated the passage for many important Bills, including Good and Services Tax Act, Benami Property Act in both the Houses”, Mr Naidu said.
Referring to the contribution of Sushma Swaraj, the Chairman said, “She was a voice of the concerned and served the country in various capacity such as Minister for External Affairs, Heath and Family Welfare and Information and Broadcasting Ministry. She was also first woman Leader of Opposition of the Lok Sabha”.
He also informed the House that former Members SC Jamir and Manohar Parrikar have also been awarded with Padma Bhushan.
“SC Jamir, the architect of modern Nagaland, four-time Chief Minister of the state and then Governor of many states, had served the nation while the former Defence Minister and three-term Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had given excellent and distinguished service to the nation”, the Chairman said, adding that the House appreciates their exceptional services to the country.
Earlier, Mr Naidu had also mentioned about the loss of human and wildlife in Australia to the unprecedented forest fire saying “India stands with the grief of the Australian people”.
The House observed two-minute silence over the death of the people in Australia.
(AGENCIES)
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