In Parliament today, Speaker Meira Kumar and Chairman Hamid Ansari made obituary references as soon as the two Houses met for the day.

Describing Mandela as South Africa's Father of the Nation, Ansari said, "Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi in his long walk and struggle against apartheid, he along with other leaders organised mass boycotts, especially against the laws supporting racial discrimination and oppression." Kumar said Mandela was conferred Bharat Ratna in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

She said her visit to Robben Island where Mandela was jailed for 27 years was like a pilgrimage and one of the most inspiring moments of her life.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi lauded the courage, sacrifice and forgiveness of "Madiba", whom she described as South Africa's Mahatma Gandhi.