1 Uncorrected/Not for publication - 19.11.2009 1a/11.00/skc The House met at eleven of the clock, MR. CHAIRMAN in the Chair. --- (The National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, was played.) --- MEMBER SWORN Shri P. Kannan (Puducherry) (Ends) OBITUARY REFERENCES MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Members, I have to refer, with profound sorrow, to the passing away of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal and Shri Mahendra Sahni, both sitting Members, and Shri Parvathaneni Upendra, a former Member of this House. Dr. Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, passed away on the 2nd of September, 2009, at the age of 60 years, under tragic circumstances. Born in Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh, in July 1949, Dr. Reddy was educated at the M.R. Medical College, Gulbarga University, Karnataka. A doctor by profession, Dr. Rajasekara Reddy, popularly known as YSR, was a dynamic and charismatic mass leader who had carved out for himself a niche in the State politics by his devotion and dedication to the upliftment of the downtrodden and neglected sections of the society. Dr. Reddy served the people in various capacities, both in Government and outside. He worked hard for the development of irrigation projects, particularly in the backward 2 Uncorrected/Not for publication - 19.11.2009 Rayalaseema region, which earned him a special place in the hearts of millions of farmers. During mid-summer 2003, he led a padayatra covering backward areas in the State to understand the problems and livings conditions of the people. As Chief Minister, he initiated a number of programmes for the overall development of the economy of the State, which also aimed at benefiting the common man and the farming community. He was a role model in implementing NREGA in his State. Dr. Reddy was a Member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly for five terms from 1978 to 1989 and from 1999 to 2009. He held important portfolios of Rural development, Excise and Education as Cabinet Minister in the Andhra Pradesh Government from 1981 to 1983. (Contd. By hk at 1b) HK/1b/11.05 CHAIRMAN (CONTD.): He also served as Leader of the Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2004. He was a Member of the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Lok Sabha. Dr. Reddy assumed the Office of Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on the 14th of May, 2004 and served till his untimely demise. In the passing away of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy, the country has lost a visionary, a distinguished parliamentarian and an able- administrator. Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal passed away on the 6th of October, 2009 at the age of 80 years. 3 Uncorrected/Not for publication - 19.11.2009 Born at Charmandali village in Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh in April 1929, Shri Khandelwal had his education at Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, Indore. An agriculturist, political and social worker, Shri Khandewal participated in the freedom struggle. He was associated with several social welfare organisations. He also made special efforts for the uplift of tribals, 'Scheduled Castes' and farmers. He was the founder Organising Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Kisan Morcha. He served his political party in different capacities. Shri Pyarela Khandelwal was a Member of the Rajya Sabha from June 1980 to June 1986 and from June 2004 till his sad demise. He was also a Member of the Ninth Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1991. In the passing away of Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal, the country has lost an able parliamentarian and a distinguished social worker. Shri Mahendra Sahni passed away on the 6th November, 2009 at the age of 69 years. Born at Brahmapura in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar in April 1940, Shri Sahni had his education at Bihar Vidyalaya Pariksha Samiti, Patna and Bihar University, Muzaffarpur. An agriculturist, political and social worker, Shri Sahni in his early days as a Panchayat Member was instrumental in resolving several disputes at the Panchayat level and brought many people involved in crime to the mainstream by facilitating their surrender before the District Administration. He was the Chairman of Matsya Jeevi Adhyayan Dal, Government of Bihar and Bihar Rajya Matsya Vikas Nigam Limited. He wrote and directed 21 plays. 4 Uncorrected/Not for publication - 19.11.2009 Shri Mahendra Sahni started his legislative career as a Member of Bihar Legislative Council from 1994 to 2000. He represented the State of Bihar in this House from April 2006 till his sad demise. In the passing away of Shri Mahendra Sahni, the country has lost a dedicated social worker and a noted parliamentarian. Shri Parvathaneni Upendra, a former Member of this House passed away on the 16th of November 2009 at the age of 73 years. Born at Pothunuru, Denduluru Mandal in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh in July 1936, Shri Upendra had his education at Andhra University and University College, Chennai. A journalist, political and social worker, Shri Upendra was closely associated with a number of professional, social, cultural and educational organisations. He had been associated with Consumer Cooperative Movement in West Bengal for a long time. Shri Upendra served as Joint Director, Public Relations, Railway Board and Public Relations Officer, South Eastern Railway. He also served as Special Assistant to the then Minister of Railways from 1977 to 1979. He left Government service in 1982. Shri Upendra wrote articles in various newspapers and journals and also wrote a book "Gatham-Swagatham" in Telugu on political events during 1982 to 1992. (Contd.by 1c/KSK) KSK/11.10/1C MR. CHAIRMAN (CONTD): Shri Upendra represented the State of Andhra Pradesh in this House from April, 1984 to April, 1990 and from April, 1990 to April, 1996. He was the Leader of the Telugu Desam Party in Parliament from 1984 to 1991. He served as the Union Minister 5 Uncorrected/Not for publication - 19.11.2009 for Parliamentary Affairs and Information and Broadcasting from December, 1989 to November, 1990. He was also a Member of the 11th and 12th Lok Sabha. In the passing away of Shri Parvathaneni Upendra, the country has lost an able administrator, a dedicated social worker and a distinguished parliamentarian. We deeply mourn the passing away of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekara Reddy, Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal, Shri Mahendra Sahni and Shri Parvathaneni Upendra. I request hon. Members to rise in their places and observe silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed. (Hon. Members then stood in silence for one minute) MR. CHAIRMAN: Secretary-General will convey to the members of the bereaved families our profound sense of sorrow and deep sympathy. As a mark of respect to the memory of Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal and Shri Mahendra Sahni, the sitting Members, the House stands adjourned till 11.00 a.m. on Friday, the 20th November, 2009. ------- The House then adjourned at twelve minutes past eleven of the clock till eleven of the clock on Friday, the 20th November, 2009. .