New Delhi, September 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released Vice President Venkaiah Naidu’s book 'Moving On… Moving Forward: A Year in Office'. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was also present at the book launch. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma also attended the launch. Speaking at the event, Naidu stressed on providing sustained support to agriculture. The Vice President said, “There is need for sustained support to agriculture. Finance Minister is here, he may not like what I'm saying as he has to take care of everybody, but there has to be biased towards agriculture in coming days otherwise ppl are leaving agriculture as it's not remunerative.”

PM Modi also appreciated Naidu for working towards the welfare of farmers and agriculture.  The Prime Minister said, “Atal Ji wanted to give Venkaiah Naidu Ji a ministry. Venkaiah Ji said, 'I want to be the minister for rural development'. He is a farmer at heart. He is dedicated towards the welfare of farmers and agriculture.” Singh also lauded the vice president for his vast experience in politics and administrative fields. The former Prime Minister said, “He brings to the office of VP, political and administrative experience and that is amply reflected in his 1 year in office. But best is yet to come. As a poet has said, "Sitaron ke aage jahan aur bhi hain, abhi ishq ke imtehaan aur bhi hain."

Speaking at the launch, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman also expressed unhappiness the way parliament is functioning but lauded the Centre for boosting Indian Economy. Naidu said, “I'm little unhappy that Parliament is not functioning as it should. On all other counts, things are moving, World Bank, ADB, World Economic Forum, whatever ratings they are giving is heartening. All Indians should be proud of whatever is happening on the economic front.”

Naidu was sworn-in as the vice president on August 11 in 2017. The 245-page book which has  465 illustrations, brings out Naidu's mission of engagement on four key issues with various stakeholders across the country and is in alignment with the mission of a new India in the making. The Vice President stated in the book that his purpose of exploring and shaping public discourse over four key issues took him on extensive travels across the country since he was sworn in. The book also contains a detailed chapter on various initiatives taken by him as Chairman of Rajya Sabha and refers to the rapidly- expanding viewership of Rajya Sabha TV.

(With inputs from ANI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2018 12:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).