In a ‘tryst with destiny’ moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday delivered his first speech in the new Parliament affirming that the august complex would “witness realisation of our developed India resolution” and the new building will become a means of “realising the dreams of our freedom fighters and will witness the sunrise of a self-reliant India.”
Inaugurating the new Parliament, Modi first installed the scared ‘Sengol’ in the Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker’s chair, after seeking the blessings of the ‘Adheenams’ from various temples in Tamil Nadu. Amid Vedic chants by priests from Karnataka’s Shringeri Math, Modi performed “Ganapati Homam” to invoke the gods to bless the inauguration of the new Parliament building. A multi-faith prayer was also held to mark the occasion.
In the second-leg of the event, Modi addressed packed new Parliament receiving a standing ovation from the attendees. He described the occasion as one that is “immortal”.”In the development journey of every country, some moments come which become immortal. 28th May is such a day,” said Modi amidst thunderous applaud. “The new Parliament isn’t just a building, it is the symbol of the aspiration of the 140 crore people of India. It gives a message to the world about India’s determination”, he said.
“The new building will become a means of realising the dreams of our freedom fighters and will witness the sunrise of self-reliant India. This new building will see the fulfilment of the resolutions of a developed India”, Modi announced amid repeated thumping of desks. “New models can be established only by treading new paths”, Modi remarked as he highlighted that the “new India” is realising new goals and paving new ways. “There is a new energy, new zeal, new enthusiasm, new thinking and a new journey. There are new visions, new directions, new resolutions and a new trust”, Modi said.
Prime Minister said that the world is looking towards India’s determination, its citizens’ vigour and the life of human power in India with respect and hope. “When India moves forward, the world moves forward”, he remarked. He underlined that the new Parliament House will invoke the development of the world from the development of India.
Before the Prime Minister delivered the historic address, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh read out messages from President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
To mark the inauguration Modi also launched a special Rs 75 coin as India is celebrating the 75th year of its Independence. Along with it, he released a special commemorative postage stamp at the inauguration event held at the Lok Sabha chamber of the new building.
As India entered the new Parliament, leaving behind the one built during the British era, Modi said, “Several years of foreign rule took away our pride from us. But today, India has left behind that colonial mindset. India is the mother of democracy. It is also the foundation of global democracy. Democracy is our ‘sanskaar’, idea and tradition”. Recalling his address to the nation from the Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day, Modi said there comes a time in the history of every country when the consciousness of that country is awakened.
He underlined that such a time had come in India 25 years before Independence during Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement which filled the entire country with a belief.
“Gandhi ji had connected every Indian with the resolution of Swaraj. This was the time when every Indian was fighting for freedom”, the Prime Minister remarked as he highlighted that its result was India’s Independence in 1947.
Modi said that the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal’ is a stage in independent India which can be compared to the historic period in the pre-Independent India. The grand event was also attended by former President Ram Nath Kovind, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, parliamentarians, chief ministers as well as people from different walks of life
Modi said that the new Parliament building is the perfect example of the co-existence of the old and new. “The new Parliament building is a reflection of the aspirations of ‘new India’ and a testament to the dawn of a self-reliant nation,” he said.
“There was a need for new Parliament. We also have to see that the number of seats and MPs will increase in the coming time. A new Parliament was the need of the hour,” he said.
The new Parliament building is designed to enable 888 members to sit in the Lok Sabha. In the present building of the Parliament, there is a provision for the sitting of 543 members in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha.
Speaking about the newly inaugurated Parliament building, Modi said, “This building is equipped with modern facilities and equipped with the latest gadgets. It has given employment to over 60,000 labourers. We have created a digital gallery to honour their hard work”.
Modi said that when India is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Kaal’, the people of India have gifted its democracy a new Parliament House. Earier in the morning, soon after inaugurating the new Parliament, Modi tweeted, “As the new building of India’s Parliament is inaugurated, our hearts and minds are filled with pride, hope and promise. May this iconic building be a cradle of empowerment, igniting dreams and nurturing them into reality. May it propel our great nation to new heights of progress.”
