RS pays homage to Swaraj; Naidu says he would miss her on

Describing former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj as an epitome of grace and grit, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said in her untimely demise, the nation has lost an able administrator, an effective parliamentarian and a true voice of the people.

The Upper House paid glowing tributes to the senior BJP leader, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 67.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House.

When the House met for the day, Chairman Naidu read out an obituary reference on passing away of the senior leader and said she was "grace, grit, affection, amiability and ability personified".

"In her untimely demise, the nation has lost an able administrator, an effective parliamentarian and a true voice of the people. She always dreamt of an India at its highest glory," he said.

Mourning the demise "as a personal loss", he expressed hope that the words and deeds of this exemplary leader will continue to inspire all those in public life.

"She was like my sister who always addressed me as 'Anna' (elder brother). She was a regular at family and cultural events at my residence for a long time. Every year, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, she used to tie 'Rakhi' on my hand. I would be missing this honour this year. I have lost a valuable sister in her demise, which is an irreparable loss to me," Naidu said.

He said Swaraj was a very effective orator with equal felicity in both Hindi and English and left an inerasable imprint both within and outside Parliament.

A couple of hours before she breathed her last, her public message after Lok Sabha passed the Bill related to Jammu and Kashmir was: "I was waiting to see this day in my life time," Naidu noted, adding this clearly demonstrated her commitment for 'One India- One Constitution'.

Naidu said destiny has snatched the popular leader with her "assuring and contagious smile from our midst."