Vice-President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha pays tribute to former Members of Rajya Sabha in the House

The Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, extended his condolences on the demise of former Members of Rajya Sabha in the House today. At the start of the 262^nd Session (Winter Session) of Rajya Sabha, the Chairman paid tribute to Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Dr. M. S. Gill, Shri Lalitbhai Mehta, Shrimati Basanti Sarma, and Shri D. B. Chandre Gowda.

Praising Prof. Swaminathan, the ‘Father of the Green Revolution’ for laying a firm foundation for agricultural renaissance in India in the 1960s, the Vice-President noted his contributions towards mainstreaming gender considerations in agriculture and rural development. “His contributions helped India to rise from a drought-stricken, food importing country to being declared self-sufficient in food production,” he said.

Acknowledging Dr. M.S. Gill as an “outstanding administrator”, the Vice-President recalled that it was during Dr. Gill’s tenure as the Chief Election Commissioner that Electronic Voting Machines were successfully introduced in Indian elections. “With the passing of Dr. M. S. Gill, the nation mourns the loss of a capable administrator, a prolific writer, and an illustrious Parliamentarian,” he stated.

Paying tribute to Shri Lalitbhai Mehta, the Vice-President highlighted his role as a distinguished educationist, devoted social worker, and proficient Parliamentarian. He acknowledged Shri Mehta’s impact on the fields of education and public service.

Following is the full text of the Vice-President’s statement in Rajya Sabha–

Hon’ble Members, I refer with profound sorrow to the passing away of Shri Lalitbhai Mehta (श्री ललितभाई मेहता), Shrimati Basanti Sarma (श्रीमती बसन्ती सरमा), Prof. M. S. Swaminathan (प्रोफ़ेसर एम. एस. स्वामीनाथन), Dr. M. S. Gill (डॉ. एम.एस. गिल) and Shri D. B. Chandre Gowda (श्री डी. बी. चन्द्रे गौड़ा), former Members of this House.

Shri Lalitbhai Mehta (श्री ललितभाई मेहता) passed away on the 8th of July, 2023. He served as a Member of this august House from 1999 to 2005 representing the State of Gujarat. Born on 30th of July, 1937 at Wankaner in Gujarat, Shri Mehta, rendered his invaluable service to society in various capacities including as Principal of Arts and Commerce College, Wankaner; President of Wankaner Municipality and as Managing Director of Rajkot Nagarik Sahakari Bank Limited.  He was also deeply committed to the development of the deprived sections of society. In the passing away of Shri Lalitbhai Mehta, the country has lost an eminent educationist, a dedicated social worker and an able parliamentarian.

Shrimati Basanti Sarma (श्रीमती बसन्ती सरमा), a leading voice of women empowerment, from North East, passed away on the 8th of September, 2023. She served as a Member of this august House representing the State of Assam for two consecutive terms – from 1991 to 2002. Born on 1st March, 1944, in Tinsukia District of Assam, Shrimati Basanti Sarma took keen interest in educating women and worked tirelessly for abolition of child labour. During her time in this hallowed chamber, she championed as a crusader for development of North Eastern regions of India. In the passing away of Shrimati Basanti Sarma, we have lost a staunch advocate of women upliftment, champion of the rights of children and a model parliamentarian.

Prof. M. S. Swaminathan (प्रोफ़ेसर एम. एस. स्वामीनाथन), ‘Father of Green Revolution’ in the country, passed away on the 28th of September, 2023. He served as a Nominated Member of this House, from April, 2007 to April, 2013. Born on 7th August, 1925, at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, Prof. Swaminathan, a plant geneticist by education, laid a firm foundation for agricultural renaissance in India in the 1960s. He earned global acclaim for his affirmative stand on sustainable agriculture, mainstreaming gender considerations in agriculture and rural development. As an able administrator, Prof. Swaminathan led several developmental organizations in the country and abroad.

His enormous contributions helped India to rise from a drought-stricken food importing country to being declared self-sufficient in food production in 1971. His seminal contributions were duly recognized through the first World Food prize in 1987; Padma Shri in 1966, Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971, Padma Bhushan in 1972 and Padma Vibhushan in 1989 among others.

In the passing away of Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, the country has lost a true visionary, a ground breaking agricultural scientist and an able parliamentarian.

Dr. M. S. Gill (डॉ. एम.एस. गिल), a distinguished figure in Punjab’s bureaucracy and politics, passed away on the 15th of October, 2023. He served as a Member of this House representing the State of Punjab for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2016.

Born on 14th June, 1936, in the State of Punjab, Dr. Gill joined the prestigious Indian Administrative Service in the year 1958 and served in various capacities under the Union and Punjab State Government.  Dr. Gill, an outstanding administrator, also served as the Chief Election Commissioner from 1996 to 2001 and it was during his tenure that Electronic Voting Machines were successfully introduced in Indian elections. He also served as a Minister in the Union Council of Ministers holding portfolios of Youth Affairs and Sports; and, Statistics and Programme Implementation. Dr. Gill received several awards, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, awarded in the year 2000.

In the passing away of Dr. M. S. Gill, the country has lost a capable administrator, a prolific writer and an illustrious parliamentarian.

Shri D. B. Chandre Gowda (श्री डी. बी. चन्द्रे गौड़ा) passed away on the 7th of November, 2023. He served as a Member of this distinguished House representing the State of Karnataka, from April, 1986 to December, 1989.

Born on 26th August, 1936, in Chikkamagaluru District of Karnataka, Shri Chandre Gowda, had an illustrious political career spanning over four decades. An advocate by profession, he had an illustrious political career which included being a Member of Lok Sabha, for three terms from 1971-1984, Member of Legislative Assembly (three terms) and Legislative Council of Karnataka.  He was also a cabinet minister in the Government of Karnataka, from 1979 to 1980.

In the passing away of Shri D. B. Chandre Gowda, the country has lost an able administrator and a distinguished Parliamentarian.

Hon’ble Members, we deeply mourn the passing away of Shri Lalitbhai Mehta (श्री ललितभाई मेहता), Shrimati Basanti Sarma (श्रीमती बसन्ती सरमा), Prof. M. S. Swaminathan (प्रोफ़ेसर एम. एस. स्वामीनाथन), Dr. M. S. Gill (डॉ. एम.एस. गिल) and Shri D. B. Chandre Gowda (श्री डी. बी. चन्द्रे गौड़ा).

I request Members to rise in their places and observe silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed.

 (After observance of silence)

The Secretary-General will convey to the Hon’ble members of the bereaved families our sense of profound sorrow and deep sympathy.