Parliament at 60: Who said what

It was a momentous occasion as Parliament marked its 60th anniversary today. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha held a special session to celebrate the occasion where leaders cutting across the political spectrum looked back at the six decades gone by and the highs and lows of it.

Here's a look at who said what at the special session.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (initiating the proceedings in Rajya Sabha): "Mr Chairman sir, I congratulate you and all the members and people of India as they celebrate the first seating of Parliament. It is both Council of States and the House of Elders. This House brings balance in sincerity. Many of our great leaders have served this House with great effort."

The PM also flagged concerns over "repeated disruptions" of Parliament and "unwillingness" for discussions. "We have to meet the test of essentiality, address regrettable disruptions of the House and restore the sense of dignity and decorum," he said.

Pranab Mukherjee (initiating the debate in Lok Sabha): In the life of an institution, 60 years is a very long time. But it reminds us of how many hurdles we have come across, it is time to think of that. This House started acting as a great shock observer. Yes, there has been confrontation between the various organs of the government, between judiciary and legislative administrations. But we have able to find out an amicable solution. I am not very old in Lok Sabha, but I spent three decades in Lok Sabha. With my limited experiences, I have found out on many occasions that it stands strong. But disruption was the least that the House adopted. Disruption should not be needed, only discussions.

Sonia Gandhi in Lok Sabha: We should not forget the struggles of the past. The integrity and independence of Parliament must be preserved and protected at all costs with no room for compromise.

Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha: Today it is an occasion to rejoice and prepare ourselves for challenge of future. It is an important occasion and we will give the people of India what they expect from ourselves.

LK Advani in Lok Sabha: It's India's speciality that it has become a successful democracy. We are tolerant towards conflicting opinions and that is the reason for our success.

Sharad Yadav in Lok Sabha: I don't agree that 60 years is less, it is long time for the survival of independence. It is a very old nation. There are pros and cons in every institution. I respect all the institutions which make the functioning of Parliament possible. We are ourselves responsible for the indifferences. We have unity in diversity, this can only happen in our country. In the country if we talk of society, there are many leaders who endorsed the societal equality.