New Delhi: Parliamentarians, who have been slugging it out for past the few days in Lok Sabha over several issues, were seen mixing freely at a dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee tonight to commemorate three years of his presidency.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad was seated opposite External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the head table and the two were seen exchanging jokes during the dinner.
Parliament has been non-functional for last few days with Congress pressing for Ms Swaraj's resignation over the Lalit Modi row.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was seated opposite TMC leader Derek O' Brien and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan along with CPI leader D Raja where a few smiles were exchanged.
Mr Mukherjee was seated along with Vice President Hamid Ansari, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP patriarch LK Advani and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Ahead of the dinner, the Vice President and the Home Minister released four books - two volumes of Mr Mukherjee's selected speeches, 'Abode under the Dome' and 'Right of the Line: The President's Bodyguard (1773-2015)'.
Later in their brief speeches, Mr Ansari complimented the President for completion of three years and said he continues to enlighten the vision of the people in the country.
The Home Minister complimented the President on behalf of the Government and said Mr Mukherjee has done public service with distinction.
The two volumes of selected speeches of President Mukherjee contain important speeches delivered by him since assumption of office on July 25, 2012 as the 13th President.
The first volume includes 52 speeches and is divided into five sections - The Nation, Parliament and state legislatures, judiciary and constitutional bodies, armed forces and eminent personalities and commemorative events.
The second volume contains 102 speeches and is divided into three sections - education, banquet speeches and foreign visits.
The book 'Right of the Line: The President's Bodyguard (1773-2015)' is being published in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts.
Another book 'Abode under the Dome' is part of a series of books aimed at documenting the rich legacy of Rashtrapati Bhavan to make the public informed about its historicity and contribution to India's democratic fabric.
After the book release, Padma Shri awardee Shekhar Sen presented a 90-minute mono act depicting exciting life story of well known reformist, poet and philosopher "Kabeer" with song sequences having popular and rare ragas.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad was seated opposite External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the head table and the two were seen exchanging jokes during the dinner.
Parliament has been non-functional for last few days with Congress pressing for Ms Swaraj's resignation over the Lalit Modi row.
Mr Mukherjee was seated along with Vice President Hamid Ansari, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP patriarch LK Advani and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Advertisement
Later in their brief speeches, Mr Ansari complimented the President for completion of three years and said he continues to enlighten the vision of the people in the country.
Advertisement
The two volumes of selected speeches of President Mukherjee contain important speeches delivered by him since assumption of office on July 25, 2012 as the 13th President.
The first volume includes 52 speeches and is divided into five sections - The Nation, Parliament and state legislatures, judiciary and constitutional bodies, armed forces and eminent personalities and commemorative events.
Advertisement
The book 'Right of the Line: The President's Bodyguard (1773-2015)' is being published in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts.
Another book 'Abode under the Dome' is part of a series of books aimed at documenting the rich legacy of Rashtrapati Bhavan to make the public informed about its historicity and contribution to India's democratic fabric.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
The Stories Of Valour You Need To Know Of Chakra Awardees Social Justice Top Priority Of Modi Government, Says President: Highlights "Spirit Of Inclusion Is Visible...": Top Quotes From President's Address Vandalism At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped, Tear Gas Fired 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Professor 'Digitally Arrested' For 12 Days By Scammers, Loses Rs 12 Lakh Independence Day 2024 Live Updates: PM Modi To Address Nation From Red Fort PM Modi To Address Nation From Red Fort On 78th Independence Day Today Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.