, Jan. 28 -- The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday paid tribute to Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia, besides erstwhile members of the upper house of the Indian parliament, L Ganesan and Suresh Kalmadi, who also passed away recently.

Soon after the house met for the day and before the laying of papers, Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan read out the obituary references for Khaleda Zia and the two former members, according to the Press Trust of India.

The house stood in silence as a mark of respect for the departed. Later, the chairman said the Secretary General will convey to members of the beloved families our sense of deep sorrow and deep sympathy.

Reading out the reference for Begum Zia, he said, "I refer with profound sorrow...