By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI: The ruling BJD’s Rajya Sabha MP and Party’s Chief whip in Rajya Sabha, Dr Sasmit Patra has paid an emotional tribute to his party veteran and former Upper House member Narendra Swain aka Nari Babu, who passed away after pro-long illness.
Former Rajya Sabha BJD member Swain passed away on Monday. He was 81.Swain died while undergoing treatment at a private Covid Hospital in Cuttack.
Recalling his 6 to 7 years of relationship with late Nari Babu, MP Dr Patra remembered how he first came in contact with the veteran party leader way back in 2014. “2014 General elections were warming up. I received a call. “Are you Sasmit Patra, ” a stern voice asked. I replied, “Yes”. The gentleman on the other side said, “Where are you, come to OTDC Office in Pantha Nivas, Bhubaneswar. I am Narendra Swain speaking.” That was my first interaction with this great man, a relationship which spanned six years and ended today, in the physical realm with his tragic passing away. He was the Chairman of OTDC in those days. As I reached his office, without batting an eyelid he said, “You along with two other BJD party leaders will place the Party’s vision and programmes at the Election spots given to party on Doordarshan and All India Radio.” I thought to myself, maybe he is confused, he is taking me to be someone else. What have I done to deserve such a wonderful opportunity. Startled, I got on the job. Little did I know, that one day I would have the privilege of sitting in Rajya Sabha right behind him. His Division No. was 144 and mine was 151, MP Dr Patra wrote in his facebook post.
“When he met me for the first time last year in Rajya Sabha, he said with the same stern voice, “Oh, so you have come. Have you found a house yet. Have you had food?” That was Nari Babu. The man with a large heart, a man who called a spade a spade, forever affectionate but never making it obvious. Since last year, several Bills were lined up in Rajya Sabha for passage. RTI Amendment Bill, Triple Talaq, J&K Reorganisation Bill (commonly known as Article 370 abrogation), Citizenship Amendment Bill among others. My responsibility as the newly appointed Chief Whip those days was to ensure that all the seven Rajya Sabha MPs would be present and voting in the House on all the Bills if it went to a vote. While the other six Hon’ble MP’s of the party were available, Shri. Narendra Swain used to be seen less frequently,” the Rajya Sabha MP wrote.
“At that time he used to be under treatment and his health condition was already deteriorating. But he always kept a brave face. Over tea and toast in Central Hall, I being the junior-most RS member used to the butt of his jokes. The senior MPs would have a great laugh as he would keep asking me, “Why is that fellow not getting the tea for us, why is he late, go and check!” Many a times, he would have to stay through the day as we were never quite sure when the debate would end and proceed for a Division (Voting). I used to be his man Friday. Getting his lunch from the MPs canteen to answering his incessant queries as to why it was getting late, I always felt a fatherly touch of affection through his stern voice. Though he was struggling with his health, he never revealed it on his face. I remember, the voting on the Article-370 Bill was about to start in Rajya Sabha. He had to dash for the washroom, I accompanied him as I usually did, to ensure he was attended to and to escort him back. As we were coming back towards the Chamber, the Marshals standing told that the voting has been called for and the doors were about to be locked. When a Division (voting) is called for, the “Lobbies are cleared” by the motion of the Chairman, wherein the MPs outside are given time to come into the Chamber and the doors of the Chamber are locked. No one goes out or comes in till voting is completed,” Dr Sasmit Patra wrote.
“ We realized that both of us would be stuck outside and two votes of the party will be lost on such a crucial Bill. Both of started to walk briskly. Suddenly near the inner lobby of the Chamber, Nari Babu started sprinting. I said, “Sir, slow down. Its not good for your health.” While sprinting he looked at me and said, “Why, are you old? Then sprint with me.” We reached in time and Nari Babu looked back at me with satisfaction and glee of a child written all over his face. That was Shri. Narendra Swain. A man who sprinted through life. He never bothered about accolades or criticisms, he heard the voice of his heart. He never thought he was too old to sprint at the age of 81. He was always young, always spirited, always looking to defeat the odds of life. He taught me a very important lesson that day when he sprinted at 81 years into the Rajya Sabha chamber. Never let the burdens of health or age stop you, keep smiling and sprinting through life; whether you are 41 years (thats me) or last year at 81 years (thats Nari Babu). He sprinted away from us today, but his memories and life lessons that he left behind in my heart will forever remain,” the BJD chief whip in Rajya Sabha added.
