Here's what happened in the Rajya Sabha today. In a departure from the usual political skirmishes, the Upper Houser today witnessed bonhomie as 58 retiring members were bid farewell with colleagues recalling their cherished memories.

Chairman Hamid Ansari led the House in paying tributes to the retiring members and his sentiments were echoed by Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley along with several others. 

The Prime Minister, himself a member of the Upper House, said tensions often generated during debates in Parliament should have no impact on the country's unity and integrity. "When we debate various issues, often there is tension. There are tensions on the surface, but underlying sentiments of all members of this House must be to maintain the unity and integrity of this country," he said.