We bring you, without comment, the transcript of a speech made during the discussion in Rajya Sabha on the prevailing situation in Kashmir valley on August 10, 2016.

A Navaneethakrishnan, AIADMk (Tamil Nadu):

Thank you honorary Deputy Chairman.

I thank Amma.

Please listen to me (sings) “Kashmir, beautiful Kashmir; Kashmir, wonderful Kashmir.”

Sir, this is a popular song in one of the films acted by Dr Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. I again repeat it (sings), “Kashmir, beautiful Kashmir; Kashmir, wonderful Kashmir.”

Deputy Chairman:

Why don’t you cite the entire song?

A Navaneethakrishnan:

My senior colleague, Dr Maitreyan, will be able to cite it fully.

Deputy Chairman:

I can allow him, if he is ready. Maitreyan, would you like to try?

A Navaneethakrishnan:

Tamil films, acted by MGR or any other actor, are very, very popular, but the shooting should have taken place in Kashmir. Any film, which has been shot in Kashmir, is very, very popular in Tamil Nadu.

Sir, I would like to make it very clear that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one. I too belong to Kashmir and Kashmir belongs to me.

Here, I would like to reveal one secret. There is a product, which, in English, is called "saffron", in Tamil, we call it "korosanai". The Kashmir’s saffron is considered to be very good. In Tamil Nadu, every would-be-mother is given saffron because they want a beautiful child. My mother had it, my daughter-in-law had it, my granddaughter will also definitely have it.

So, I am proud to say that I belong to Kashmir. After seeing the movies shot in Kashmir, I wanted to visit Kashmir. And, my this wish was fulfilled when I was in the Public Service Commission.

I thank our Chief Minister, Amma, because I was able to visit Kashmir only because of her.
Then, as a state guest, I visited many places and temples. I was provided with very good food. I enjoyed it very much. I belong to Thanjavur, in the Cauvery Basin, and so, I was under the wrong impression that Thanjavur was the only fertile land in India. But I changed my opinion after seeing the agricultural land in Kashmir.

Also, the people of Kashmir are very, very nice. I can really quote the names of the Leader of the Opposition, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, and the senior leader, Dr Karan Singh. They show real concern for the development of Tamil Nadu. There is no doubt about it. Dr Karan Singh is familiar with each and every part of Tamil Nadu. Also, he knows Tamil Nadu’s culture and its social fabric. He knows everything about Tamil Nadu.

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I take this opportunity to thank the Leader of the Opposition, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Dr Karan Singh because they had exhibited real concern for the people of Tamil Nadu when our Amma was in certain trouble. So, I thank them.

In India, everybody feels that he belongs to every part of India.

As a student, I went to AVVM College, Poondi. We used to start from Thanjavur Punnainallur Mariamman Koil, Nagur Dargah and Velankanni Church. We offer prayers in churches, in mosques, in temples. Professor Ram Gopal Yadav has rightly said that there are no differences amongst the people. The problem lies somewhere else. We must find out as to where the problem lies and, then, should endeavour to remove that problem. That is the only solution.

Our honourable chief minister, Amma, is known for maintaining the integrity of India. The people of Kashmir love Tamil Nadu very much. As an Advocate General, I had an opportunity of being a host for more than fifteen judges and their families when they visited Chennai. They wanted to visit Marina Beach, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry. They are fond of seeing the sea. I had arranged all the tours. They had felt very obliged. And, they are still in touch with me.

From Chennai High Court also two Judges – the Chief Justice and a very senior Judge – had visited Kashmir. So, there is no difference between Tamil Nadu and Kashmir.

The people of Tamil Nadu pray for a beautiful and peaceful Kashmir. That is also the wish of our honourable Chief Minister, Amma.

I pray to god for putting an end to terrorism in Kashmir. I thank everybody for having given me this opportunity to speak here.