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Thursday, Nov 10, 2005

National

National

He combined humility and excellence

Special Correspondent

A true champion of the downtrodden: Jaipal Reddy; a sincere fighter for humanitarian cause: CPI "The country has lost not only a profound intellectual and a prominent political leader but also a sincere fighter"

NEW DELHI: In his long and distinguished career, the former President, K.R. Narayanan, had made friends in the different worlds of diplomacy, academics and politics and as news of his death spread across the country messages of condolences started pouring in to mourn the passing away of a personality that combined humility and excellence and almost symbolised the vibrancy of Indian democracy.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said the country had lost "a sagacious statesman, an ardent champion of secularism and constitutional propriety, and a friend of the underprivileged." He said Mr. Narayanan's death had left a void that would be difficult to fill but his life would remain an inspiration to those who believed in building a secular, progressive, rational and egalitarian society.

Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha K. Rahman Khan said Mr. Narayanan was "an endearing voice of reason against all forms of intolerance, inhumanity and injustice."

Extending her condolences to the bereaved family, Congress president Sonia Gandhi described Mr. Narayanan as "a tireless champion of India's age-old secular ethos and composite culture." She said Mr. Narayanan's life was a testimony not only to his individual drive and determination but also to the functioning of Indian democracy.

Defence Minister and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee said Mr. Narayanan "best understood the great Indian ethos. He leaves behind a legacy of simplicity and humility."

The former Prime Minister, I.K. Gujral, noted that the former President had always upheld the oath he had taken to protect the Constitution.

Leader of the Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party president L.K. Advani said Mr. Narayanan had served the country with distinction in various capacities and the country has lost an able administrator. He offered his condolences to the bereaved family.

As an old friend, Murli Deora, MP, put it: "Mr. Narayanan was the last of the Nehruvian personalities in our public life." He was his personal friend since 1978, he said, and "that he could become the President only reaffirmed the strength of India's democracy."

Union Minister for Power P.M. Sayeed compared Mr. Narayanan to Abraham Lincoln in his ability, intelligence and simplicity. Recalling his long journey from a humble beginning in a remote part of Kerala to occupying the highest office in the country, Mr. Sayeed said that he valued his wisdom, commitment and dedication to the nation.

Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed recalled that in 1992 then Vice-president Mr. K.R. Narayanan described the Babri Masjid demolition as "the gravest tragedy the nation has witnessed after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi". He always upheld democratic values, especially in times of political crises," Mr. Ahamed said.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Jaipal Reddy described Mr. Narayanan as a "true champion of the downtrodden who never lost touch with the grassroots despite reaching the topmost position." Never remaining a mute spectator to erosion of liberal and secular values, he left his distinctive stamp in all the different fields he worked in, Mr. Reddy said.

In 1997 all the political parties except the Shiv Sena had unitedly supported his candidature for the post of President and on Wednesday they united in grief at the passing away of a person whose contributions as a humanist and as a Member of Parliament were seen as "exemplary."

`Tribute to a true friend'

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India placed on record their tribute to a "true friend" who had taken up the cause of building a humane society. "The country has lost not only a profound intellectual and a prominent political leader but also a sincere fighter" for humanitarian causes, the CPI said.

Condoling Mr. Narayanan's death, Parliamentary party leader of the Telegu Desam Party K. Yerran Naidu expressed his deep sorrow at the passing away of a giant personality.

Lok Jan Shakti Party president Ram Vilas Paswan grieved the death of the "first Dalit President" and said he cherished his two-decade long association with him. "He will be remembered by all those who stand for the unity and integrity of India because of his plea to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for political intervention in Gujarat [at the time of the post Godhra violence in the State]." he said. Noted jurist Soli Sorabjee paid him the tribute of "never being a rubber stamp President." Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda mourned the passing away of a "multi-faceted personality."

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