RS mourns death of Vasanth Chavan, adjourned

New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha today paid rich tributes to sitting member Vasant Chavan, who passed away on June 9, before adjourning the house for the day as a mark of respect.

Chavan (NCP) passed away following a heart attack. He was 67.

He was the member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1980-85 and was also in the state Legislative Council from 2004. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in February 2005.

The house also paid their respect to freedom fighter K Gopalan, who was also the editor of several magazines. He was an RS member from 1982 to 1988.

The house observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the Mumbai train blasts. The tragedy that occurred on July 11, 2006 claimed 184 lives and left 847 people injured, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said.

Condolences were also paid to the families of the nine tourists who died in grenade attacks in Srinagar on the same day.

The House condemns such dastardly acts but the country's resolve to fight terrorism has only strengthened, Mr Shekhawat said.

The House also observed two-minutes silence as a mark of respect for the victims of tsunami that hit Indonesia on July 17 killing 550 people .

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