New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi misses wit in Parliament. Commenting on it at an event on Tuesday, he wondered whether lawmakers have lost their sense of humour fearing how the media will play it up.
"Humour and wit are gradually fading away from parliamentary proceedings as members are worried about what colour the 24x7 (media) will give to even one proverb," he said at a function where Arun Jaitley, Karan Singh and Sharad Yadav were presented Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards by President Pranab Mukherjee.
Addressing a roomful of parliamentarians, he shared a comment by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar in Parliament two decades ago, comparing him to Lalita Pawar, a veteran actor famous for playing negative roles.
He said while Mr Pawar thoroughly enjoyed the remark, the light banter did not get proper media play.
But the prime minister also said Parliament does not function only on oratory.
"Unless there is a confluence of oratory, action and leadership, neither can Parliament be influenced, nor can the nation be inspired," he said.
PM Modi also called for a survey to get feedback from the public about the functioning of Parliament. This would give lawmakers ideas on how to conduct themselves, he added.
He also suggested that the Lok Sabha call a meeting of state assembly Speakers to explore the possibility of giving such awards to legislators in states.
As an aside, Mr Modi heaped praise on the President, who, he said, can remember dates and time of historical events. He wondered "what software his brain is made of."
"A half-an-hour talk with him is like reading a good book," he said, as Mr Mukherjee smiled.
"Humour and wit are gradually fading away from parliamentary proceedings as members are worried about what colour the 24x7 (media) will give to even one proverb," he said at a function where Arun Jaitley, Karan Singh and Sharad Yadav were presented Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards by President Pranab Mukherjee.
Addressing a roomful of parliamentarians, he shared a comment by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar in Parliament two decades ago, comparing him to Lalita Pawar, a veteran actor famous for playing negative roles.
But the prime minister also said Parliament does not function only on oratory.
Advertisement
PM Modi also called for a survey to get feedback from the public about the functioning of Parliament. This would give lawmakers ideas on how to conduct themselves, he added.
Advertisement
As an aside, Mr Modi heaped praise on the President, who, he said, can remember dates and time of historical events. He wondered "what software his brain is made of."
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Let's Work Unitedly To Confront Pressing Challenges: PM Modi To Global South Global South Facing Challenges Of Food, Energy Security: PM Modi PM Modi Addresses 3rd India-Hosted Voice Of Global South Summit Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests Siddaramaiah's Swipe At Governor Amid Calls For Resignation: 10 Points Gaza Records First Polio Case In 25 Years As UN Urges Vaccinations Safety "Deteriorating" At Ukraine Nuclear Plant After Strike: UN Watchdog Trump, Kamala Harris To Fight For Pennsylvania Votes With Rally, Bus Tour Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.