Our FM is the best Parliamentarian of 2005 - TIOL's Hearty Congrats!
Legal Corner Icon — the image was hosted by the publisher and was not captured.Accepting the outstanding Parliamentarian Award of the year 2005, from President Pratibha Patil, yesterday, the FM said,
"I am grateful and deeply honoured to receive this Award for the year 2005. I accept the Award with humility.
Standing here in 2007 and looking back, the year 2005 indeed appears to have been a good year for parliamentary democracy - when bills were passed and there were lively and enlightening debates on matters of great importance.
Parliament, I submit with respect, has two major functions: to make laws and to debate issues. On the first, we may have a respectable score but the process is deeply flawed. On the second, we need to rediscover the art of reasoned debate.
Democracy is well and alive in India - witness the millions who turn out at every election at every level. It is our recent experience with representative democracy that has cast a shadow of gloom.
I remember the day when I first came to Parliament. I remember my leader, Shri Rajiv Gandhi. I recall the support and affection extended to me by my constituency, Sivaganga, in Tamil Nadu. I came with the belief that parliamentary democracy - especially representative democracy - is the apogee of humankind's urge to devise a model of governance that will reflect our aspirations - life, liberty and equality; also, the pursuit of learning, excellence and happiness. Despite doubts and discordant voices, I remain firm in that belief and I promise you, especially my fellow parliamentarians, that as long as I continue as a Member of Parliament I shall contribute my mite to make that belief into a reality."
With his affable manners, stentorian voice, cool temperament, effective use of words and free flow coupled with devastating logic, Chidambaram is a natural parliamentarian, the spotless white dress, disarming smile and intellectually powerful spectacles adding to the glamour. Nobody can really beat Chidambaram in a debate, unfortunately though we have very few debates in parliament these days.
"Shri Chidambaram is an extremely gifted, talented and hard working member of my Cabinet who has contributed enormously to the implementation of our policies", said the Prime Minister.
TIOL family congratulates the Finance Manager of the nation who is also an outstanding Parliamentarian.