Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to 37 retiring Rajya Sabha members, singling out veteran opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda as exemplars of parliamentary life that new members would do well to emulate.

Addressing the farewell session in the Upper House, PM Modi described the Rajya Sabha as a "great open university," saying the six years members spend in the House offer a unique opportunity to shape both their own lives and the life of the nation. He said the contributions of the departing members to nation-building would endure long after their tenure, and that the House would miss them.

Praising the outgoing senior leaders, Modi said, "People like Deve Gowda ji, Kharge ji, and Sharad Pawar ji have spent more than half their lives in parliamentary proceedings. New members should learn from them how to fulfil their responsibilities towards society." He described experience in parliament as a living legacy passed from one generation of lawmakers to the next.

The Prime Minister articulated the constitutional value of the Upper House, calling it the parliament's "second opinion" — a body that adds depth to debate and enriches the decision-making process on major national questions. He also praised Deputy Chairman Harivansh for his composed and reliable stewardship during turbulent sessions, and expressed hope that the tradition of wit and humour in parliamentary discourse would continue to enliven proceedings.

In a separate development, the suspension of eight opposition Lok Sabha MPs — seven from the Congress and one from the Left — was revoked on Wednesday. The MPs had been suspended on February 4 during the Budget Session after being accused of throwing paper towards the Speaker's chair.