PM Modi welcomes VP Naidu in RS, says 'now common men in high posts'

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday welcomed Venkaiah Naidu as the Rajya Sabha Chairman, saying he is the first Vice President who was born in independent India, adding that the former Union Minister knows the workings of the House very well after being active in it for so long.

Naidu takes over the charge from Hamid Ansari whose second term ended on Thursday.

Praising Naidu for his various rural development schemes, Prime Minister Modi said, "Venkaiah Naidu has gifted the nation with Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana,

"Venkaiah Naidu is a farmer's son and during his tenure as Poverty Alleviation Minister, he has always upheld the interests of the poor, said PM Modi while speaking in Rajya Sabha.

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Modi further stated that the presence of a farmer's son in a highly dignified position is a proof of a "matured democracy" in India.

He concluded his speech with an inspiring couplet, "Amal karo aisa sadan mein, jahan se guzre tumhari nazrein, udhar se tumhe salaam aaye."

Naidu was sworn-in as trhe 13th Vice President of India today, succeeding Hamid Ansari, in a glittering ceremony.

President Ram Nath Kovind administered him the oath of office and secrecy at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

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Following the ceremonial reception Naidu took over as the speaker of the Rajya Sabha in the Parliament.

Earlier in the day, he visited Rajghat to pay floral tribute to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee and former union minister Naidu was elected as the 13th Vice President of India with 516 votes.

Opposition nominee Gopalkrishna Gandhi secured 244 votes out of 760 valid votes.

• #Prime Minister
• #Narendra Modi
• #Venkaiah Naidu
• #Rajya Sabha Chairman
• #rajya sabha