His life was full of events and even drama.  He believed that he was but the plaything of a higher power.  But he also believed in the doctrine of purusha prayatna, personal duty and effort.  The enduring and the most eloquent tribute to him is his own work and worth rather than anything we may say about him.

Resigning from Government service in his early twenties Shri Desai chose Gandhiji as his guru and plunged into the struggle for India's freedom.  He not only courted imprisonment but got himself trained in the art of disciplining himself in Gandhian ways.  Even while in "B" class prison he used to take food meant for C class political prisoners and thus established a tradition of sharing in the sufferings of his colleagues.

As Minister in the first Congress Government in the Bombay Province Shri Desai proved his administrative and organizational ability and adherence to principles.  Among his notable achievements during this period was the forming of the Home Guards for the first time in India to prevent the emergence of communal riots.  The success of the Home Guards in Bombay persuaded other states to emulate this example.  So great was the impression that his qualities had made on the national leadership that after the first general election in free India he was chosen to head the Cabinet in the Bombay State. 

That was despite the fact that he himself had lost his seat in the election though the Congress party had won in the State.  When critics contended that it was not a good precedent for our nascent democracy, Prime Minister Nehru countered them by saying that Shri Desai was the victorious leader of a victorious party.  Nehru reposed his trust in him because of his successful handling of intricate issues in the Bombay State.  In 1956 he wrote to Shri Desai saying "How much I have admired your calm steadfastness of purpose in the face of attack and difficulty . . . . 

Please remember that you have all our friendship and admiration."  Shri Desai had, indeed, a reputation for his firm grip on the reins of government and for high integrity and uncompromising attachment to principles.  It was inevitable that his administrative gifts and political grasp should be availed of at the Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru brought him to the Centre and entrusted him with challenging economic portfolios which enhanced his reputation for dynamic administration, clarity of vision and impartiality.

Retiring under the Kamaraj Plan, he returned to office as Deputy Prime Minister with Shrimati Indira Gandhi.  The circumstances under which he had to leave the government was another landmark in his eventful career.  When the first coalition of non-Congress parties came to power at the Centre, it seemed natural that the honour of heading the government as Prime Minister should have gone to a person of Shri Morarji Desai's eminence and experience.

It was by no means an easy responsibility.  But he discharged this responsibility in the light of two guides he acknowledged -- the Gita and Gandhiji.  He proclaimed in so many words and demonstrated by his deeds that the basic policies of India were not up for change, whether in its economic philosophy or in its foreign policy, and above all, in its adeherence to constitutional norms and imperatives.  If anyone had imagined that India could be swayed from its basic policy of nonalignment they have seen disabused of it.  He showed that national self-respect was the bed-rock of our policy and our concept of security.  At the same time he showed great flexibility in his approach and promoted cordial relations with the neighbouring countries.  In fact the Government of Pakistan acknowledged this contribution by conferring on him that country's highest civilian honour.

Shri Morarji Desai was that rare politician in a democracy who had little attraction or use for what is called popularity.  Sometimes it looked as though he even relished the image of being stern and unbending and indifferent to popular acclaim.  Yet his colleagues and fellow parliamentarians and officials knew that they could reason and argue with him.  And the people of India knew that his sense of dour duty was informed by warm human sympathy.  It was impossible for any one  to withhold admiration for a man who lived and acted by his own exacting code.  He believed in the stoic rule that a man's happiness lay in doing his duty.  Shri Morarji Desai has set high standards for us in public life.  His portrait, unveiled to-day, will be a constant reminder of what the nation expects from us.  He had said " The role and responsibility of leadership must be to lead to higher evolution of human nature and human relations" and to strive constantly for the upliftment of society.  I feel honoured to join in the tributes to the memory of this remarkable personality, this great son of India.

Thank you