Rajya Sabha bids farewell to Ghulam Nabi Azad, 3 other retiring members

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha today bid farewell to Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and three other members who are retiring in February on completion of their term.

Saif-ud-Din Soz (Cong) and two members of National Conference Mohammad Shafi and G N Ratanpuri are the three other members who will retire in February.

"The Members, who are retiring, have made rich contributions in the deliberations of the House and I wish to place on record my personal appreciation for the courtesy, consideration and cooperation extended to the Chair (by the retiring members)," Chairman Hamid Ansari said.

He said the House would certainly miss members who would not be coming back.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu then rose and expressed the hope that Azad would return to the House.

Ansari said, "I am sure the retiring members would continue to serve in other capacities and would be making good use of the knowledge and experience gained by them during their association with this House."

On behalf of Rajya Sabha, he wished the retiring members good health, success and long years of service to the nation.