New Delhi, Dec 22 - The Rajya Sabha Tuesday witnessed the rare site of Congress ministers and MPs applauding a suggestion by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member on improving the country's civil defence preparedness.

"You have two billion eyes in this country. Involve them in your civil defence measures," BJP's Anil Madhav Dave said while participating in the debate on the civil defence bill which has been passed by the Lok Sabha.

"Involve panchayats in the effort," he said, adding that in Madhya Pradesh school children in the age group of six to 12 years were being taught the basics of security and civil defence.

"These children are at an impressionable age when they can differentiate between right and wrong," he said, urging the government to involve all sections of societies in civil defence.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and a number of congress MPs vigorously thumped their desks as Dave concluded his maiden speech as a Rajya Sabha member. (IANS)