President praised Ram Naik for introducing practise of singing of 'Vande Mataram' in the Parliament.
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday praised Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik for introducing the practise of singing of 'Jana Gana Man' and 'Vande Mataram' on the opening and closing days of every session of Parliament.
He was speaking after receiving Hindi, English, Urdu and Gujarati translations of 'Charaiveti, Charaiveti', a book written in Marathi by Naik, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
These copies were released by Vice President Hamid Ansari.
The President said he has known Mr Naik in different capacities and his life is unique.
"He played an instrumental role in introducing the practise of singing of Jana Gana Mana and Vande Matram on the opening and closing days of every Session of Parliament...This reflected his originality of ideas," a press release issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
President Mukherjee said Mr Naik always thinks of new and innovative measures which can also be seen in the reports Mr Naik sends to him as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
Stressing that he was grateful to Mr Naik for narrating his life in the book, President Mukherjee said it was the story of a struggling soul which will inspire many to overcome odds in their lives. He also wished Mr Naik many more productive years in the service of the nation.
President Mukherjee said he was struck by the book's title 'Charaiveti! Charaiveti!', which means keep walking or keep marching. The title is both emotive and philosophical, he said.
"From our ancient ethos of continuous change to Buddha's philosophy of Charaiveti, to Gurudev's call of Ekla Chalo, the philosophy of eternal and continuous change is reflected in everybody's life as stagnation leads to death and marching ahead is life," the President said.
Among the other dignitaries present on the occasion were Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Pawar.
All these dignitaries including the Vice President spoke highly about Mr Naik, his fight against cancer and about his long years and achievements in public life.