Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has urged elected representatives of country to prevent erosion of vitality and spirit of democracy that is the lifeblood of Parliament. Addressing a Parliamentary Award function in New Delhi today, he said personal conduct and credibility of the parliamentary representative provides assurance to the public in the efficacy of the institutions of Parliamentary democracy. <br/><br/>He further said a parliamentarian must believe in democracy, be a bridge between overarching national interests and the local dynamics and have the ability to communicate effectively with an economy of words. <br/><br/>Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, former Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Governor of Punjab Shivraj Patil and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.<br/><br/>Life time achievement award for member of the Lok Sabha was given to L K Advani and award for member of the Rajya Sabha went to Sharad Yadav. Best parliamentarian award for member of the Lok Sabha was awarded to N K Premachandran and for the Rajya Sabha to CPIM MP Sitaram Yechury. <br/><br/>Best women parliamentarian award for Rajya Sabha member was given to Jaya Bachchan and for the Lok Sabha to Sushmita Dev. Best debut women parliamentarian award for member of the Lok Sabha was awarded to Meenakshi Lekhi and for the Rajya Sabha to Rajni Patil.