Disruptions and uproar in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha apparently weighing heavily on her mind, President Pratibha Patil [Images] on Thursday pointed out that Parliament bears the responsibility of setting standards for all elected bodies.

"Parliament, being the national legislative body, also bears the responsibility of setting standards for state legislatures, local bodies and indeed all elected bodies," Patil said.

Her comments came at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament where she gave outstanding parliamentarian awards to Union Minister Sharad Pawar [Images], P Chidambaram and Mani Shankar Aiyer and BJP deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj.

Noting that how Parliament conduct itself is what other elected bodies feel is the right standard for them, the President said it was incumbent on all parliamentarians to uphold the highest traditions of democracy and the highest standards of parliamentary functioning.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee also spoke in similar vein at the function.

The prime minister hoped that each MP will reflect on the role that they individually and collectively play in strengthening 'this great institution of democracy.' 

The function, held in the backdrop of sine die adjournment of Parliament before schedule due to the row over the Indo-US nuclear deal, saw the President lamenting: "MPs, let us keep away from political recriminations and work together towards building a strong nation ready to meet the challenges of this century."

She noted that with advances in broadcast technology, the people were 'viewing live' the proceedings of Parliament.

"It is on the basis of what people see that they form an opinion about the functioning of Parliament and its contribution to policy formulation," Patil said.

Quoting first Lok Sabha Speaker G V Mavalankar, she said: "Each one of us has to remember, that howsoever great the difference in viewpoints and methods, we are all meeting here as representatives of the nation, for one common cause."

The Lok Sabha Speaker noted that 'disruptionist and confrontationist attitude is neither in the interest of the system nor of the people.'

"Of late, unfortunately, there is a perception that the atmosphere in our legislatures is not in consonance with due discharge of members' duties to society and that the quality of debates as also the behaviour of members is not up to the desired level," he observed.

Many members of the Cabinet were not present at the function. The UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi [Images] was also absent. 

In his address, the Prime Minister said he was 'delighted' that three of the four awardees were members of his Cabinet.

"I call upon our parliamentarians, particularly our younger colleagues, to strive for the very high standards of debate and discussion that have been set by our outstanding parliamentarians," Dr Singh said.

He described Pawar as a 'valued colleague, an experienced and mature guide and a steadfast ally for many years' and Chidambaram as 'extremely gifted, talented and hard-working member of his Cabinet who has contributed enormously to the implementation of our policies.'

"Mani Shankar Aiyer has been energetic spokesman of the third tier of democracy in this first tier, reminding us that decentralisation of power and development is essential for the success of democracy," Dr Singh said.

He praised Swaraj as 'not just a vocal member of Opposition but has been an effective minister in the previous government.'

Dr Singh said each one of the four leaders was a role-model in their own right.

The prime minister noted that it was no mean achievement that the parliamentary democracy in the country has withstood no just the test of time but also the test of people's faith and conviction.

The President briefly departed from the prepared text of her address when she recalled having worked with Pawar in the Maharashtra assembly some four decades ago.

Pawar got the award for 2003, Swaraj for 2004, Chidambaram for 2005 and Aiyar for 2006. They were given a silver plaque and a citation each.

In his acceptance speech, Pawar remembered the late Y B Chavan as his mentor and role model and thanked the people of Baramati and Maharashtra for having elected him to the assembly and then to the Lok Sabha since 1967.

In his speech, Aiyar said he was receiving the award with a 'heavy heart' as disruptions in Parliament have been on the rise.

"It is better to be a reformed sinner...," he said as he recalled that debates in parliament used to be of high standard.

Swaraj, who became the first woman lawmaker to receive the award, said the honour has bestowed greater responsibility on her.

Chidambaram, while receiving the award, recalled the days when he first became MP more than 20 years ago.