Representatives of the world community gathered here today, It is with the deepest reverence that I, on behalf of the Government and the people of India, join the South African nation in paying homage to their beloved Madiba, former President, Dr. Nelson Mandela. For India, the passing of Nelson Mandela represents the departure of a venerated elder, a great soul. We pray for his eternal peace. Madiba lived a life of sacrifice and privation as he pursued a seemingly impossible goal for his people-and the world is richer for his legacy. We, in India, have long admired him and all that he stood for and we will always cherish his friendship and love for our people. To us, Nelson Mandela was a visionary. He epitomised an uncommon humaneness that inspired all of mankind. He was an icon of irreversible social and economic change-the kind of transformation and emancipation that his people had only dreamt of. A towering personality of great compassion and wisdom, he guided his nation, bruised by decades of apartheid and violence, to embrace his simple message of tolerance and harmonious co-existence. Indeed, his life and struggles which represented 'hope' for the downtrodden in South Africa and all over the world, remind us of the principles that the father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, stood for. In the face of the severest persecution, punishment and relentless oppression, Neslon Mandela continued his non-violent struggle with dignity and pride, refusing to be intimidated. Sir, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Central Industiral Security Force (Amendment) Bill. Actually this Bill was thoroughly examined by the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, the officials from CISF and also the Home Secretary had clarified whatever questionnaire raised by this Standing Committee. Sir, the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs did not find any place in this Bill. Most probably this Bill was drafted before the Standing Committee on Home Affairs ahd submitted its Report. I hope, in future the Government will consider the views and suggestions expressed by this Standing Committee.
