The Rajya Sabha today bid a touching farewell to its members who were retiring after serving their six-year term, including Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla and Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh, with Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat placing on record his appreciation of their valuable contribution to democracy.

Shekhawat said the House would miss Heptulla, the longest-serving deputy chairperson, and noted her contribution
to parliamentary democracy was recognised internationally, when she was unanimously elected as the first-ever woman president of the Council of Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1999.

"She has an unshakabale commitment to upholding the Rajya Sabha's prestige, which she has demonstrated over the
years at various fora," he said.

About Jaswant Singh, Shekhawat said as Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition, he always brought a "matured approach" to bear upon the business of the House.

Observing that eight members of the Rajya Sabha had been elected to the Lok Sabha, Shekhawat said, "What is our loss is the Lok Sabha's gain."

He said Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also retiring, was a veteran of 108 sessions of the Rajya Sabha.

Similarly, he said, "Lalooji [Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Laloo Prasad], having changed his track, will now be with us as minister of railways."

Shekhawat said the House would miss debates by Kapil Sibal, who has since been elected to the Lok Sabha, on issues like judicial reforms, but would have the benefit of hearing him as minister of state for scence and  tchnology and ocean development.

In his speech, Jaswant Singh wished the retiring members well in life and said they have made valuable contributions to
the country.

Heptulla said she had been a member of the House for a quarter of a century and would carry fond memories. She was, she said, sore that the Women's Reservation Bill could not become a reality.

Suresh Pachauri, minister of state for parliamentary affairs, said the members spoke with a great amount of
responsibility while participating in debates on matters of national importance.

Altogether 47 members will retire from the Rajya Sabha by August this year.