'Asked for a smoking room': Kiren Rijiju recalls first request to Speaker - here's what he got instead
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju shared an embarrassing yet unforgettable anecdote from his early days in politics, when his very first request to the Lok Sabha Speaker was for a 'smoking room.
'
Recalling his first meeting with Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Kiren Rijiju said he walked out with a 'good scolding' and a lasting lesson- to "approach such offices with more purpose."
"The first time I met Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, I had gone to request a room for MPs who smoke. He scolded me, saying, 'This is your first meeting with the Speaker and this is what you've come for?' I got a good scolding that day and learned I should approach such offices with more purpose," PTI quoted him as saying on Saturday.
He was speaking at Sansad Ratna Awards where he also expressed that his political opponents weren't his "enemies".
"We are all colleagues. Before 2014, most of my parliamentary career has been on the Opposition benches. Political rivalries may exist, but there is no enmity," he said.
Referencing Winston Churchill, Rijiju said, "A new MP once asked Churchill about the people sitting across the aisle, and he said they were political opponents.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep
ResMed
Buy Now
Undo
But when asked about those sitting on his side, he said they were our political enemies. That is politics, but we are not enemies."
"There, one MP represents approximately 66,000 people. Here, it is over 20 lakh. They are not asked to fix drains or get someone out of jail. But our MPs deal with personal grievances, infrastructure and law enforcement issues and are still expected to perform in the House," he said. "Despite all this, they are often criticised. Every elected MP deserves respect, it is not an easy job," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
27 minutes ago
- Hans India
HC dismisses election petition against Congress MP
Bengaluru: The High Court has dismissed the election petition filed against Davanagere Congress MP Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun, who was accused of electoral malpractice for allegedly distributing 'guarantee cards' to lure voters during the Lok Sabha polls. The petition, filed by BJP's defeated candidate G.S. Gayathri Siddeshwar, sought to nullify Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun's election on grounds of inducement and violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. However, Justice M.I. Arun, who presided over the single-judge bench, rejected the petition, holding that the allegations do not amount to a corrupt practice under the law. The court cited a previous ruling related to a similar case against Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and reiterated that the Congress party's 'guarantee schemes' were part of its official election manifesto. The judge observed that election manifestos reflect a party's policy decisions and not the personal promises of individual candidates. Hence, such guarantees cannot be construed as bribes or inducements under Section 123(1)(A)(B) of the Representation of the People Act.
Hans India
27 minutes ago
- Hans India
India doubles down on shipbuilding to become global maritime power
New Delhi: The shipbuilding industry in India is undergoing a transformational shift, as the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi accelerates efforts to build a world-class maritime ecosystem, according to Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. In line with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the long-term strategic roadmap of Amrit Kaal, the Union Budget 2025 has announced a series of reforms and investments aimed at significantly enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of Indian shipyards. 'These initiatives are expected to strengthen India's position as an emerging global maritime power,' Sonowal said at the ongoing monsoon session of the Lok Sabha. Highlighting the government's commitment, Sonowal underlined the 'Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy which is being revamped to address cost disadvantages,' thereby helping Indian shipyards compete on equal footing with their international counterparts. The inclusion of credit notes for ship breaking in Indian yards reinforces the push towards a circular and sustainable maritime economy. To boost infrastructure financing, large ships above a specified size will now be classified under the Infrastructure Harmonised Master List, making them eligible for long-term, low-interest funding. Simultaneously, the government will facilitate the development of integrated shipbuilding clusters, equipped with modern infrastructure, skill development centres, and advanced technologies. This, the Budget notes, is aimed at 'increasing the range, categories and capacity of ships' built in India. In a landmark move to address the industry's need for long-term capital, the government has proposed a Rs 25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund, with up to 49 per cent government contribution. This fund will mobilise private and port-led investments to expand and modernise India's shipbuilding and repair capabilities. Recognising the long gestation nature of the industry, tax exemptions on Basic Customs Duty (BCD) for raw materials and components used in shipbuilding and ship-breaking have been extended for another 10 years. 'Our commitment to empower and enable our maritime sector is absolute and it is with this intent we are working under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi,' said Sonowal. To give Indian shipbuilders a competitive edge in public procurement, the government has extended the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) for tenders floated by public sector units. As per the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017, vessels valued under Rs 200 crore must be procured from Indian yards, thereby reinforcing the goal of self-reliance in maritime assets. On the ship repair front, Cochin Shipyard Limited has inaugurated a Rs 970 crore International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) in Kochi.
Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Mirwaiz praises three Lok Sabha members from Kashmir for highlighting plight of people of J&K in the parliament
Agencies Mirwaiz praises three Lok Sabha members from Kashmir for highlighting plight of people of J&K in the parliament Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged New Delhi to address 'Dil Ki Doori' with Jammu and Kashmir through engagement. Mirwaiz also praised Lok Sabha members from Kashmir, Mian Altaf and Aga Ruhullah from ruling National Conference and Engineer Rashid of Awami Ittehad Party for putting a united stand in the parliament and highlight concerns and plight of people of J&K. The Hurriyat leader said it was 'great' to see political leadership across the spectrum from Kashmir on the 'same page.'"Neither war, nor violence, nor use of force can solve problems and lead to peace and prosperity, which the billions of people in the Indian subcontinent seek, and the swathes of poor in this region deserve," said Mirwaiz, adding, "Engagement at all levels is a far cheaper and evolved alternative." Mirwaiz said during a debate in the parliament on the India–Pakistan war following the heinous Pahalgam incident very few members and mostly from the opposition talked of the human aspect of the war. "They spoke about its costs therein, and its correlation to J&K, which reflects the mindset and mood of the times," said Mirwaiz. Hurriyat leader said three Lok Sabha members from J&K were the only ones to highlight the deep concerns and plight of the people at the epicentre of the basic problem and the current debate. "They spoke with passion and pain about the disempowerment and dispossession of the people of J&K. They expressed the sentiments of the people of J&K that we have all along been talking about. It is good to see that on these matters all are on the same page," said Mirwaiz. The Hurriyat leader said he can only hope that what the Lok Sabha members from Kashmir said was heard by those in power in New Delhi. "If they really want to lessen 'Dil Ki Doori" they must pay heed to it.
