-Yatharth Sikka
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha to bid farewell to Congress MP from Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad. While sharing the anecdotes on him, PM Modi got emotional and called Ghulam Nabi Azad a “true friend”.
PM Modi also said he would never let Ghulam Nazi Azad retire and continue seeking his advice. Ghulam Nabi Azad is retiring on February 15 on the completion of his term in the upper house of Parliament.
PM Modi In a rare scene got emotional while eulogising Azad’s traits. As his throat choked, the PM was forced to pause his speech. Only after drinking a few sips of water, he resumed speaking.
PM Modi said that he had known Azad since before he became J&K chief minister in 2005 and applauded Congress veteran’s efforts in rescuing people from Gujarat who were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack. “he sounded as concerned as if those stuck were his own family members,” said PM Modi.
PM Modi said that Azad not only knows how to handle the fleeting nature of posts and power, but his work will also serve as an inspiration for generations of MPs. Azad is deeply passionate about his party and his country.
“Power comes and goes but (only a few know) how to digest it…therefore like a friend, I respect him on the basis of the things he has done over these years,” PM Modi said while wiping his tears and saluting Azad.
He also remembered former President Pranab Mukherjee, another Congress veteran with whom he shared a strong rapport. “I will never forget Shri Azad’s efforts and Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s efforts when people from Gujarat were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack. Ghulam Nabi Ji was constantly following up, he sounded as concerned as if those stuck were his own family members,” said PM Modi.
Ghulam Nabi Azad after receiving a wholehearted farewell from the political leaders and Prime Minister Modi said “I am among those fortunate people who never went to Pakistan. When I read about circumstances in Pakistan, I feel proud to be a Hindustani Muslim,” Azad said during his farewell speech in the Rajya Sabha. The veteran Congress leader is set to retire from the Upper House on February 15.
