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Veteran politician Ram Naik, conferred with the Padma Bhushan award by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, expressed satisfaction that the Union government has recognized his work.
"I did not expect this. When people used to ask me if they should send my name for the Padma awards, I used to tell them that the top leadership knew about me and there was no need. I have always efficiently carried out every task given to me. It gives me satisfaction when the government at the top recognizes my work," Naik said while speaking to ANI. Speaking about his public life, Naik highlighted that no other MP from Mumbai has been elected to the Lok Sabha more than thrice. "I have been elected to the Vidhan Sabha thrice and five times to the Lok Sabha. I am a mid-level worker. Mumbai is the financial capital but no one from Mumbai has been elected to the Lok Sabha more than thrice. I was in the Opposition. I was the Petroleum Minister, Rail Minister, and Home Minister in the state when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. I have also been the Bharatiya Janata Party Mumbai chief for six years," the former Uttar Pradesh Governor said. Expressing concern over the lack of substantive discussion in Parliament nowadays, Naik pointed out that it was due to his initiative that the national anthem and the national song are sung in Parliament. "These days no discussion takes place in Parliament...But it was not the same during our times. When I was in opposition I had raised the question of why members of the Parliament do not sing Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram though schoolchildren are taught to sing Jana Gana Mana. After that, it was decided that on the first day of the session, Jana Gana Mana is sung and on the last day Vande Mataram is sung," Naik said. Sharing another instance, Naik said that Mumbai got its new name owing to his persistent efforts when he found the name of his constituency misspelt in the written document after he took oath as an MP. Speaking about another instance, Naik said that Mumbai got its new name owing to his constant push when he found the name of his constituency misspelt in the written document after he took oath as an MP. "On the day after taking oath when I got the written copy of my speech in Parliament, the spelling of my name was typed Ram Nayak and Uttar Bombai. I went to the presiding officer for correction...After long years of struggle to get the name of my place corrected, the Indian government changed it to Mumbai. This is an achievement of mine when I was in opposition," he narrated. Additionally, Naik recounted suggesting to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to provide petrol pumps to the families of those who died in the Kargil War. "When I was the Petroleum Minister during the Kargil War, though we won the war we lost 423 officers and soldiers in the war...I suggested to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that out of the profits, we could give petrol pumps or gas agencies to their relatives...This was implemented. It not only gave compensation to the bereaved family but also gave employment to around 10 working at those petrol pumps," Naik said. The 89-year-old politician from Maharashtra received the Padma Bhushan in the field of Public Affairs. (ANI)
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