
## Official Report

IN THE HUNDRED AND FORTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE RAJYA SABHA 
Commencing on the 21st February, 1989/ 2nd Phalguna, 1910 (Saka) 

## Rajya Sabha

Tuesday, the 21st February, 1989/2nd Phalguna, 1910 (Saka) 
The House met at one of the clock Mr. 

Chairman in the Chair. 

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS— Laid on the Table SECRETARY-GENERAL: Sir, I beg to vision of a democratic, secular and socialist society has continued to guide our social and economic strategy. To Indira Gandhi, we owe its creative development through a period of intense struggle against the vested interests, the planning . process, the key element of that strategy, was infused with a new vitality by Indiraji with her renewed emphasis on social justice as an integral part of our pattern of growth. For both Nehru and Indiraji, the defence of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity and India's development as a modern nation were intimately linked with a foreign policy devoted to peace, disarmament and an equitable world order. 

lay on the Table a copy (in English and Hindi) of the President's Address to both the Houses of Parliament assembled together on the 21st February, 1989. [Placed in Library *see* No. LT-7202/89] 

## 4. As We Enter The Final Year Of This

[Text of President's Address in English] 
Honourable Members, I welcome you to this session of Parliament. I extend to you my best wishes for the successful completion of the budgetary and legislative business which you have before you. 

2. We are celebrating this year the centenary of the birth of Jawaharlal Nehru. A great son of India, his was a role of crucial significance in our freedom struggle and in our formative years as an independent nation. He erected the pillars of our modern nationhood: democracy, secularism, socialism and nonalign-ment. His ideals are of enduring value. In celebrating his centenary, we rededicate ourselves to his ideals and to his grand vision of an India restored to its rightful place in the front rank of human civilization. 

3. India's basic policy framework was parliament, we can look back with satisfaction to four years of constructive endeavour. Then, we were just emerging from the terrible trauma of the assassination of Indiraji. Terrorists, insurgents and secessionists, on the one,hand, and various disaffected elements, on the other, were attempting to throw into question the unity of the country, challenging its integrity and undermining its stability. 

But democracy asserted itself and returned a government with a massive mandate. Four yeares on, the nation is, in much greater measure, in harmony with itself. Discussion and negotiation have paved the way to settlements and accords. The whole of the north-east is now deeply involved in the nation's democratic mainstream. The message has reached all corners of the country that violence will be met firmly but grievance will be met justly, provided only that arms are foresworn and conformity to the Constitution ensureded. 

fashioned by Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru's 
5. In these four years, economic non-violence. The task for us begins in our region. We have maintained peace on our borders, promoted peace in our region and created an ambience of cordiality and Cooperation as has not existed with China for a generation. 

7. All this has been possible only because of our unflinching adherence to the great principles on which the edifice of our nation is being built: democracy which reaches' down to every village, secularism which respects all religions and protects and minorities, socialism which seeks the removal of poverty and the ending of unemployment, and nonalignment which guarantees our independence and self-reliance and makes our voice count in the world, an influence both beneficial and decisive. 

8. It is Government's policy to resolve growth has scaled unprecedented levels of achievement. And this despite a drought of the severest intensity. Government and the people together faced up to the calamity with fortitude and resolute determination. Whereas every comparable drought in the past had always spelt a major setback, for the first time in the economic history of the country, despite the ravages of the drought, the economy actually recorded a positive growth rate of 3.6 percent, higher even than the average growth rate till the eighties. Reflecting the deep resilience and self-reliance with which government policies have imbued the economy, we are now set on a long-term growth path that is upward of 5 per cent and targetted at 6 percent or more in the plan to come. Our frontal assault has been on poverty. We have striven to make a dent on unempolyment. Our guiding principle has been justice and opportunity for the weaker, the deprived and the oppressed. 

6. Abroad, there is greater appreciation all disputes and differences peacefully. The local sentiments of the people will be respected, but there can be no compromise on the question of preserving the unity and integrity of the nation. The democratic path of dialogue and discussion, conciliation and consensus is open to all those who eschew violence and work within the Constitution. 

This was demonstrated in 1985 in Assam, in 1986 in Mizoram and in both Tripura and the Darjeeling Hills last year. 

9. We are determined to eliminate terrorism. We shall persist and persevere till terrorism is rooted out in Punjab. The most powerful weapon in the fight against terrorism is the people themselves. In the face of threats and provocation, the people of Punjab have stood firm against terrorist violence and maintained communal harmony and relations of amity among themselves. They are our greatest strength. It is on them that the Government relies in its endeavours to find a political solution to the problems of Punjab. Government is open to dialogue. Meanwhile, steps are being taken to prevent support and assistance reaching the terrorists from abroad. 

of the policies followed by India. An increasing number of countries is recognizing that the path to sustained peace is the one indicated by Jawaharlal Nehru and lit up by Indira Gandhi through four decades of escalating nuclear confrontation and unrelenting power bloc rivalry. The first indication of the dawn of a new era was the adoption by the Soviet Union of the principle of non-violence through the Delhi Declaration. Later, negotiations between the USA and the USSR led to the dismantling of a whole category of nuclear weapons, marking the first-ever act of nuclear disarmament since the invention of these terrible weapons. The relaxation of tension is reflected in the scaling down of fonflict in several areas of the world. These developments constitute a vindication of what Nehru and Nonalignment have stood for. They also constitute a challenge to us, as the inheritors of this great philosophy, to persist till the international community is persuaded to free the world of nuclear weapons and    anchor    the     world order    in 
 
10. There has been a resurgence of 
15. When I addressed you last year, extremist activities in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The spurt of extremist violence has been more marked in Andhra Pradesh. 

Government are closely monitoring the situation. 

11. For thousands of years, our civiliour people were facing the challenge of an exceptionally severe drought. The Prime Minister took a personal initiative in extensively touring drought affected areas around the country. He established a Cabinet Committee on Drought to work up and monitor our response to the challenge. At the instance of the Central Government, and with its massive financial and advisory support, the infrastructure for development built up over the years was effectively utilised for drought relief, drought-proofing and the creation of permanent assets for the community. The Public Distribution System was zation has survived vicissitudes of every kind only because it has been rooted in religious tolerance and the celebration of diversity. The major threat to contemporary India comes from the forces of narrow-minded chauvinism. Chauvinism takes many forms: religio fundamentalist, com munalist and casteist, regional and linguistic. It is most dangerous when these forces come together. Fortunately, the people of India have never been narrow in outlook. With the support of the people, Government is determined to fight these forces. 

strengthened and dynamised to meet the needs of the people. The people, at large, and the kisans in particular, ranged themselves behind the efforts of Government. We have emerged from this testing - trial, resolute and resilient, strong and selfreliant, an impressive example of effective management of a major natural calamity. 

12. The future of our country belongs 
16. The experience of concerting to its youth. Already the bulk of our population is young. The country's population profile grows more youtnful with every passing year. It is the aspirations of its youth which the country must meet, il is the participation of its youth which the country must seek. The voting age has been reduced to eighteen. We now call upon our youth to play their full part in the building of the nation. 

13. Electoral reform has been extended measures to face the drought was utilised to equally concert measures to take full advantage of last year's good monsoon. A special foodgrains production programme was launched. In consequence, we have a record kharif output and there is every indication of a very good rabi crop. Outstanding performance has been recorded in cereals. Cotton and sugarcane reached record levels of output. Oilseeds touched a new high, reflecting the achievements of the Technology Mission on Oilseeds. 

17. The year under review has been a year of exceptional economic performance. Having weathered the drought with remarkable resilience, the economy to other areas. Commitment to the constitution has been made the sine qua non for participation in the democratic process. The civic rights of the weaker sections have been better assured by making booth-capturing a congnizable offence. Those convicted of offences against women and the weaker sections have been disqualified from standing for election. 

14. Government is determined to enbounded back with renewed vigour. GDP growth will exceed 9 per cent. In the first four years of the Plan, growth will be above the target of 5 per cent. It augurs well for a decisive spurt in growth rates in the Eighth Plan. The nation can be confident that we will eradicate poverty and banish unemployment. 

sure separation of religion from politics. An Act to prevent the misuse of religious institutions was passed last year. Other steps will follow. 

18. The kisan is the focus of Governater employment opportunities. Industrial relations have remained stable and Government have undertaken many measures to imporve conditions in different industries. 

21.Equally, Government policies have ment's attention. Finance for the farmer has been a major priority. The target for direct lending to agriculture by commercial banks has been raised to 17 per cent of bank credit. NABARD's line of credit has been enhanced by 30 per cent from Rs. 1,800 crore to Rs.2,550 crore. Rural and semi-urban branches of commercial banks have been entrusted and empowered to meet the credit needs of villages in their service areas. Village profiles and credit plans have been prepared for half a million villages. A new loan scheme has been launched for the marketing of agricultural produce which enables farmers to receive a loan upto Rs. 10,000 against the hypothecation of his crop to the local cooperative. 

19. A new Ministry of Food Processing ensured impressive results in the infrastructure sector. For the three years ending 1987-88, the average annual growth rate has been 7.3 per cent in coal, 7.6 per cent in railway freight, 7.6 per cent in saleable steel, 7.9 per cent in port handling, 9.6 per cent in power, 10.3 per cent in cement and 12.5 per cent in fertilizer. The most encouraging part is that the performance has continued to improve from year to year. Compared with the first eight months of 1987-88, in the comparable period this year coal is up by 7.1 per cent, power by 7.6 per cent, port handling by 10.2 per cent, saleable steel by 11.5 per cent, cement by 12.2 per cent and fertilizer by 34.5 per cent. Telecommunications too have recorded significant advance in the indigenous development and manufacture of rural automatic exchanges and other telecommunication equipments. A Telecom Commission has been established for expediting the development of telecommunication services in the country. 

22. The public sector has performed Industries has been established to ensure better utilisation of farmers' output by inducting modern technology into the processing of food products thus augmenting the income of farmers and generally increasing incomes and employment in rural areas. A new seeds policy has been adopted to provide access to high quality seeds and plant material for vegetables, fruits, flowers, oil-seeds and pulses, without in any way compromising the quarantine conditions. For the coordinated development of inland and marine fishing, a National Fisheries Advisory Board has been established. 

20. Beginning in 1985, Government well. There has been impressive invest-, ment in the public sector in the last four years. Production and profitability are up. As envisaged by Jawaharlal Nehru, our public sector not only holds the commanding heights of the economy but is also becoming efficient and dynamic. A strong and vibrant public sector needs full operational autonomy. 

The results achieved this year reflect Government's desire to give public sector management greater authority and freedom to secure the best results. 

23. After a slow start initially, export have taken several policy initiatives to stimulate production and investment in industry, increase efficieny and productivity, promote greater competition and technological upgradation. In consequence, industrial growth has exceeded 8 per cent per annum over the last four years. Overall industrial growth for the first six months of the current year was 9.5 per cent. Growth in the manufacturing sector touched 10.6 per cent. The small scale sector registered a 13 per cent increase in production. Strong emphasis has been laid on rural industrialisation to remove regional imbalances and give greperformance has improved considerably in the last two years. Exports grew by 25 per cent last year and by a further 25 per cent  in  the   first  nine  months  of  the current year, representing, growth of over 50 per cent over the two year period. 

24. We have undertaken a significant the effective management of the inflation rate. Prices of essential commodities are being closely monitored. The Public Distribution System is being strengthened. 

28. We need to be very vigilant about the balance of payments. The spurt in exports has to be sustained and reinforced by larger volumes and higher foreign exchange earnings, imports have to be carefully monitored, with the emphasis on efficient import substitution wherever feasible. 

expansion in our nuclear power programme. Ten new nuclear powered-reactors, based on indigenous knowhow, will add nearly 4000 MW to the country's power generating capacity, in addition to a 2000 MW nuclear power facility being established on the basis of Soviet technology. The emergency preparedness and safety systems in nuclear installations have been significantly upgraged. 

29. Faster growth, especially faster ag-
25. Science and technology are being pressed into the service of development. The Indian Remote Sensing Satelite is helping solve problems of rural development such as the location of ground water and flood warning. Many biotechnology products have been developed for application in health and agriculture. The technology of embryo transfer in cows, developed within the country, is being applied to upgrade the stock of milch cattle. Government is planning to involve CSIR laboratories in greater measure in programmes of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. 

26. Technology Missions have begun ricultural growth, is the necessary precursor for the removal of poverty. But it is not in itself enough. Therefore, the frontal assault on poverty continues. Government are spending more than ever before on programmes of asset-creation and rural employment to serve the interests of the poor, the weak and the backward. The integrated rural development programme (IRDP) has reached over 25 million beneficiaries. Nearly half the beneficiaries belong to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. NREP targets for the terminal year of the Plan have been achieved in the fourth year itself. More than four lakh houses have been completed under the Indira Awas Yojana. The MilHon Wells scheme has been launched for the benefit of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and freed bonded labour. TRIFED, a marketing organisation to ensure a fair price to tribals for their produce, has been started. 

A National Finance and Development Corporation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been established. 

30. The National Housing Policy has yielding results. One lakh and six thousand problem villages have been provided with sources of drinking water. With the involvement of over 500 voluntary organisation, a mass mobilisation campaign has been launched for extending adult literacy in many States. Government has launched a Sixth Technology Mission on Dairy Development to give a boost to rural incomes through improved animal productivity and increased milk production. 

27. There are two points of pressure in been passed in Parliament. It accords priority in promoting access to shelter to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and freed bonded labour. They, as also the rural landless, artisans, economically weaker sections and low-income groups are to be assisted in securing affordable shelter. So also are single women, widows    and    households    headed    by the economy: prices and the balance of payments. Prices have risen but it needs to be recognised that the price rise is much less than had been experienced during previous droughts of comparable magnitude. All instruments of fiscal and monetary policy are being deployed for protection and to better maintain the ecological balance, the National Forest Policy has been substantially revised. The Forest Conservation Act has been streng thened. The law on water pollution has been made more stringent. The Ganga Action Plan has made significant prog ress. For the cleaning of the Ganga, Government have sanctioned 
262 
women. In urban areas, the most seriously affected are the pavement dwellers. A scheme has been launched in metropolitan cities tg provide pavement dwellers with dwelling units. A National Housing Bank has been established. Constraints on house building, such as inadequate land and capital, are being progressively removed. The report of the National Commission on Urbanisation is being examined. 

31. The implementation of the National schemes costing Rs. 256 crores. Forty five of the schemes have already been com pleted. The rest are being implemented expeditiously. An institutional framework has been envisaged to regulate installa tions producing hazardous chemicals and to deal with disaster. 

Policy on Education made significant progress during the year. Under Opera tion Blackboard, almost 40 per cent of the blocks in the country have already been covered. High priority is being to the universalisation of elementary educa tion. An effective beginning has also been made in the vocationalisation of secondary education. 256 Navodaya Vidyalayas have so far been established. 40 per cent of the children studying in these Vidyalayas are from families below the poverty line. Almost 80 per cent of the students come from rural areas. 

32. Within each of the disadvantage social change, our moral and spiritual values come under strain. We are confronted with the insidious danger of crude acquisitiveness in disregard of compassion, tolerance and the common weal as the underpinnings of our value system. Culture is among the most effective of vehicles for the conservation of our quintessential values, for national integration, for the celebration of our diversity, for preserving our unity in diversity, for keeping ourselves open to wholesome cultural influences from outside, and of evolution through synthesis. It is these characteristics which through millennia have ensured the continuity of our civilization. It is therefore crucial that we preserve and develop our mosaic of cultures-classical, flok and tribal. It is even more important that we disseminate to the people at large an awareness and familiarity with out glorious heritage. It is these objectives and priorities which infrom Government's cultural policy. 

sections of Indian society, women consti tute the most disadvantaged segment. A National Perspective Plan has been pre pared to accord to women their rightful place in the life of the nation and to help them overcome the burdens imposed on them by family and society. The Plan seeks to outline a long-term policy for the uplilftment of the Indian women. It aims at strengthening their economic inde pendence and raising their social status. It attempts to assist them in participating to the full in the development of the country. 

33. The development process has much more than an economic dimension. At our present stage of development, the process confronts three major challenges: the preservation of the environment, the conservation of our culture, and the in volvement of our people. 

participation in the planning process of the people at the grassroots. That is the only way in which local needs and local priorities will receive the emphasis they require. We must entrench the third tier of our democracy to ensure representative institution at the village, tehsil and 
34. To ensure better environmental 
35. In a period of rapid economic and 
36. There is pressing need for genuine disatrict levels to effectively and efficiently undertake the planning, implementation and monitoring of development programmes. Therefore, a major priority for Government this year will be the revamping of Panchayati Raj institutions and the recasting of their power and functions. Government intend to bring forward a major lagislative programme to devolve power to the people. 

37. We are now preparing the Eighth Plan. Government will endeavour to build the plan upwards from the district level or even lower to State Planning Commissions and Yojana Bhavan. We have targetted a growth rate of 6 per cent per annum in the Plan. Employment generation is receiving special emphasis. We attach the highest priority to providing productive work and employment to the youth of our country. It is only thus that twin problems of poverty and growth can be succesfully tackled. This is the key to the involvement of our youth in the great task of building the nation. 

38. As we survey the international scene today, there are reasons for optimism, though not for complacency. An important step towards nuclear disarmament has been taken with the INF Treaty. Better understanding between the major military powers is also reflected in a reduction of tension in several parts of the world, even solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Confrontation is increasingly giving way to dialogue. It is a matter of satisfaction that these constructive trends have their philosophical underpinning in the principles of Nonalignment, Panchsheel and the Delhi Declaration of 1986. There is, however, the need to entire that in the process of finding solutions, we contribute to the building of a better and more democratic world and that the interests of the countries concerned are not bypassed. At this historic juncture in international affairs, it is incumbent on the Nonaligned Movement to play a decisive role in taking the processes of disarmament and peaceful coexistence   to   their  logical   conclusion. 

The objective, as set out in the Action Plan which the Prime Minister presented to the United Nations in June 1988, must be the elimination of all nuclear weapons and the reduction of conventional arms and forces to minimum defensive levels along with the need to root the world order in non-violence. 

39. Within our region, the process of cooperation through SAARC has begun achieving tangible results. People to people contacts have begun to expand, opening the way towards making regional cooperation into a people's movement. Agreements on food security and the suppression of terrorism are in place. 1989 has been declared the SAARC year against Drug Abuse. A useful start has been made in exchanging operational information on trafficking in drugs transiting through countries of the region, as also in exchanging ideas on drug counselling. Work has begun on a comprehensive study on preserving the environment and dealing with natural disasters. The decision to draw up a regional perspective plan on basic needs will help focus on common problems of the region. 

40. With the Prime Minister's recent visit to China, we have embarked on a new and positive phase in our relations with that country. The cordial and constructive discussions held with Chinese leaders have opened the way for a stable, peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, this is a development of great significance for regional and world peace as India and China, together, represent a third of humanity, There is to be a Joint Group on economic relations, trade and science and technology. A Joint Working Group is being set up to consider measures for resolving the boundary question in a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable manner. Both sides have reiterated their commitment to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence in their bilateral relations and as the basis for building a new international order. 

41. Wc have welcomed the emergence the extensive exchange of visits between the leaders of the cwo countries. The wideranging discussions which the Prime Minister had with President Gorbachev have further strengthened our of a democratically elected Government in Pakistan. We look forward to working with the new Government in reducing tension and expanding cooperation. 

During his visit to Islamabad, the Prime Minister had extensive discussions with Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Three agreements were signed, which should help to build mutual confidence and trust and promote greater interaction among our peoples. We have agreed to continue this constructive dialogue. 

42. There has been significant progress understanding, provided an impetus for intensifying exchanges and given a new direction to our future cooperation. Our programme for cooperation in science and technology is particularly promising. My own visit to the Soviet Union for the closing ceremony of the Festival of India provided an opportunity to have very useful discussions with Soviet leaders. The Festivals have enriched the friendship, goodwill and understanding among our peoples. 

45. Our relations with the United in implementing the provisions of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, thus meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Tamils within the framework of Sri Lanka's unity and territorial integrity. Elections were held to the North-Eastern Provincial Council and a popularly elected Provincial Government is now in place. Legislation has been enacted to make Tamil an official language and to resolve the pending problqrn of stateless Tamils of Indian origin. 

Presidential and States have improved considerably with an expansion in technical exchanges and economic cooperation. The U.S.A is now our largest trading partner and an important source of high technology. There is a better awaieness of the need to build a constructive relationship and understand each other's point of view. 

Parliamentary elections have been conducted successfully. 

With the 
46. The withdrawal of Soviet troops improvement in the situation we have been able to withdraw some of our troops. We salute the dedication and bravery of our armed forces in discharging their duties. 

43. Our friendly neighbour Maldives from Afghanistan has been completed. The need of the hour is a peaceful political settlement so that further bloodshed can be averted in that country and conditions created for the safe return of the refugees. The Geneva accords must be fully honoured by all the parties concerned for ensuring the independence, integrity and nonaligned status of Afghanistan. 

was faced with an armed threat to its freedom and democratic order. We responded promptly to Maldives' request for assistance to counter this threat. 

47. India was among the first countries 
44. For his bold and imaginative to accord full recognition to the initiatives, which have contributed independent Palestinian State. Chairman Yasser Arafat visited Delhi for significantly to the improvement in the international climate, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. 

consultations. We have welcomed the commencement of a dialogue between the United States and the PLO. It is our hope that it will soon be possible to convene an International Peace Conference on West Asia, under UN auspices, with the participation of all concerned. 

Relations between India and the Soviet Union have reached new levels of closeness, range and importance. The significance we attach to our friendship with the Soviet Union is highlighted by 
 
48. There are prospects of progress on the question of Kampuchea. We have been in touch with all parties concerned. The Prime Minister had extensive discussions with General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh of Vietnam. We are ready to assist in efforts to find a political solution which ensures the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and nonaligned status of Kampuchea. 

49. We have welcomed the accords on Namibia. 

However, Pretoria must be forestalled in any attempt to subvert Namibia's transition to independence by preventing free and fair elections. International pressure must be maintained on Pretoria to end apartheid. In Fiji too, moves to institutionalise racial discrimination must be resisted. 

 
50. During the year, I visited the LSSR, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Fin-lands, Czechoslovakia, Cyprus, Bhutan and Pakistan. 

The Vice-President visited repositories of the people's will. In you vests the reponsibility of realising the people's dream. We are launched upon one of the greatest essays in social transformation ever undertaken in the history of humankind. The task is so great, and sometimes so daunting, that we are often overwhelmed by how much more needs to be done. We sometimes tend to belittle how much has already been achieved, a balanced perspective is needed. There has been more growth, more social justice in the last 40 years than in several proceeding centuries. Our people are being liberated from the shackles of poverty. The pace needs to be accelerated. Our youth are being offered vistas of expanding opportunity. These vistas need to be broadened ever more rapidly. Centuries of social oppression and discrimination are beeing ended. The process needs to be pushed forward even quicker. We will succeed, and succeed soon, because we build on firm principles, principles bequeathed to us by our millennial civilisation, principles steeled in the furnace of the freedom struggle, principles tried and tested in four decades of nationbuilding. So long as we remain true to these principles, true to our priorities and true to our goals, the new India will emerge from this transition and fulfil its destiny. 

JAI HIND [Text of presidents Address in Hindi) 
Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Surinam. The Prime Minister paid visits to Japan, Vietnam, Syria, the Federal Republic of Germany, Hungary, Jordan, Yugoslavia, Spain, Turkey, China and Pakistan. These visits have promoted mutual understanding and cooperation. We also teceived many foreign dignitaries including the Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Prime Minister of Singapore, the Crown Prince of Jordan, the President of Afganistan, the President of Mozambique, the President of Bangladesh, the King of Nepal, the President of Kenya, the Chairman of PLO, the President of Angola, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, the Governor General of Mauritius, the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, the President of SWAPO, President Gorbachev, the President of the Maldives, the Prime Minister of Malta, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnan, the President of France and the Prime Minister of Australia. 

51. Ahead of us lie exacting challenges and exciting opportunities. You are the January 7, 1989, of His Majesty Emperor Hirohito of Japan. His funeral in Tokyo takes place this week, and our President will represent this country on this solemn occasion. His reign was a period of enormous change, dynamism, scientific, technological and economic advancement, and despite the ferment generated by these, of enlightenment, in the history of Japan. Indeed his own people have called his reign "Showa Era", i.e. the period of enlightenment. His reign spanned 63 years. He carved a niche for himself in the affections and respect of his people. The outpouring of grief and concern during the weeks after his death, and several weeks before that sad event, were indicative of the place he had in the hearts and minds of his people. 

I take this opportunity on behalf of this House to reiterate our sincere condolences to. the Government and people of Japan, and to the late Emperor's family. 

I also refer with profound sorrow to the passing away of Shri L. Narsingh Naik and Shri T.S. Gurung, Members of this House and Shri Gulabrao Patil, Shri Harsh Deo Malaviya, Shri Suresh J. Desai, Dr. (Shrimati) Rajinder Kaur, Moulana Mohammad Faruqi and Shri Krishnarao Narayan Dhulap, former Members of this House. 

Shri L. Narsingh Naik represented the State of Andhra Pradesh in this House for a very short period of nine months, having been elected in April last year. It is said that he passed away in the prime of his life, due to cardiac arrest. 

Shri Naik was born at Rajanaik Thanda 

## Obituary References

MR. CHAIRMAN: I refer with proin District Nalgonda of Andhra Pradesh in October, 1938 and was educated at Osmania University and National Institute of Rural Development, University of Hyderabad. Shri Naik worked as a lecturer in College. He was active in the cooperative movement and served as Chairman of the Girijana Cooperative Corporation,  Andhra Pradesh.  He also found   grief   to   the   passing   away   on 