NEW DELHI, Feb. 4 — Members of the Indian parliament observed silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the recent floods in Malaysia and the volcanic eruption in Tonga.
The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) “expressed profound sadness” on Wednesday on the devastation caused by floods in Malaysia in December, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur said on Friday.
The upper house also expressed condolences and deep sympathy for the loss suffered by the people of Malaysia.
“Hon’ble Members, between 17th and 19th of December, 2021, Malaysia was hit by severe torrential rains, causing severe flood calamity in several parts of the country. This was one of the most devastating floods in a hundred years in Malaysia,” Indian Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu said, according to an extract of Wednesday’s house proceedings.
“The unprecedented floods wreaked extensive damage to the property and livelihoods of the people,” Naidu said.
The members rose in silence as a mark of respect for the Malaysian flood victims and the dead in the Tonga’s disaster in January.
It is part of the Indian legislature’s customs to make obituary references on the demise of sitting as well as former members, important personalities, and natural calamities or other tragic events involving loss of life.
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday also observed silence in memory of Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning anti-apartheid icon, who died at the age of 90 on December 26.
— Bernama
