Bengaluru: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was all praises when he bid adieu to outgoing Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad. 

In an emotional moment, he even shed tears as he sang peans to his old friend, recalling his phenomenal contributions to the country. 

He said, “I have known Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad for years. We were Chief Ministers together. We had interacted even before I became CM, when Azad Sahab was very much in active politics. He has a passion not many know about – gardening”. 

On the issue of holding different positions politically, the Prime Minister recognised how Azad handled them effectively and urged everyone to learn from him. 

He said, “Posts come, high office comes, power comes and how to handle these, one must learn from Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji. I would consider him a true friend”. 

Noting that Azad had set very high standards, PM Modi was also vocal in saying Azad will continue to inspire generations. 

He said, “Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has set very high standards as MP and Opposition leader. His work will inspire generations of MPs to come”. 

Hailing him as a selfless leader, Modi underlined how he always strove to ensure the Parliament ran smoothly. 

He said, “Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has distinguished himself in Parliament. He not only worries about his Party but also had similar passion towards the smooth running of the House and towards India’s development”. 

It is interesting to note how Azad, while being the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in 2005, had gone the extra mile to rescue Gujaratis in a terror attack. The Prime Minister stressed on how Azad took care of the victims and added that Azad displayed wonderful care and concern, as if they were his own family members. 

What one can deduce from Modi’s eulogies towards Azad is that you can be a good human being, have camaraderie even with those who are ideologically on the other side of the spectrum.