Country lost a great leader in Somnath Chatterjee, says Manmohan Singh
New Delhi, Aug 13 : Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday condoled the death of former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and said the "country has lost a great leader who always stood for the cause of the poor and the downtrodden classes of society".
In a condolence letter to the veteran parliamentarian's wife Renu Chatterjee, Singh said: "I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of your beloved husband Shri Somnath Chatterjee."
"In his death our country has lost a great leader who always stood for the cause of the poor and the downtrodden classes of society," he said.
Singh said Chatterjee was a very good orator, an exceptional public servant, and an outstanding member of Parliament, especially in the role of Speaker of the Lok Sabha, which made him eligible for the "Outstanding Parliamentarian Award".
"His ability and personality was such that people from all walks of life and from all political parties loved and respected Shri Chatterjee," said Singh.
"His services to the nation will be remembered for many years to come. I write to convey to you and other members of your family my heartfelt condolences on this bereavement," he added.
Chatterjee, the first Communist Speaker of the Lok Sabha who had defied his party's call to quit the post, died here on Monday following cardiac arrest and prolonged old age-related illness.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
