Parliament inauguration highlights: New building a ‘shining example’ of country's vision, says PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi is addressing the nation through the 101st episode of Mann Ki Baat, his monthly radio programme, which is broadcast at 11am on the last Sunday of each month. Follow updates here

The triangular shape is meant to ensure optimum space utilisation, Central Vista project’s website said. The new complex will have larger legislative chambers. The new Lok Sabha will have thrice the current seating capacity at 888 seats, while there will be 348 seats for Rajya Sabha. As per the new floor plan, the Lok Sabha hall will be able to accommodate 1,272 seats for joint sessions.

The new complex will host a ‘Constitutional Hall’ in the centre and will have offices on the exterior like the previous building and the central joint session from the old complex will be a part of the Lok Sabha hall.

May this iconic building be a cradle of empowerment, igniting dreams and nurturing them into reality, says PM Modi on new Parliament building.

PM Modi prostrated before the Sengol and sought blessings from high priests of various adheenams in Tamil Nadu with the holy sceptre in hand during the first half of the inauguration of the new Parliament building. 

The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres.

The building has three main gates -- Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar.

It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

The material used for the new building has been acquired from various parts of the country.

RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav on his party comparing the new Parliament with a coffin said, “The coffin in our tweet is a representation of democracy being buried. The country will not accept this. Parliament is the temple of democracy and it is the place to have discussions.”

"It is a very good thing that the new Parliament has been built. I keep myself away from politics, the only thing I can say is that everyone should work unitedly for the growth of the country," Sikh Guru Balbir Singh who took part in the multi-faith prayers at the inauguration of the new Parliament building said

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the people of the country on the inauguration of the new Parliament building saying, “Historic moment. The symbol of the fulfilment of the hopes, expectations and aspirations of 'New India', the grand, glorious and inspiring new Parliament building has been dedicated to the nation today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hearty congratulations to all people of the country.”

The Congress launched a scathing attack on PM Modi after he inaugurated the new Parliament building, saying that a "self-glorifying authoritarian PM with utter disdain for parliamentary procedures" has opened the new complex.

Attacking the PM, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "On this day, May 28th: Nehru, the person who did the most to nurture Parliamentary democracy in India, was cremated in 1964. Savarkar, the person whose ideological ecosystem led to the killing of Mahatma Gandhi, was born in 1883."

"Today, we have given the message of unity in diversity," Jewish Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar who took part in the multi-faith prayers at the inauguration of the new Parliament building said. 

"The new Parliament building represents change and it is a historic moment for us. Every Indian should stay united," Jasbeer Kaur who took part in the multi-faith prayers at the inauguration of the new Parliament building said. 

NCP MP Supriya Sule said, “To open a new Parliament building without the Opposition makes it an incomplete event. It means there is no democracy in the country.”

The sceptre, or the 'Sengol', was presented to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, as a symbol of the transfer of power from the British. The word 'Sengol' is believed to have been derived from the Tamil word ‘semmai’.

The importance of the 'Sengol' sceptre emerged when Lord Mountbatten, the then Viceroy of British India, asked Jawaharlal Nehru about a symbolic transfer of power.

Nehru sought the advice of C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India and who hailed from Thorapalli in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district (then the Madras Presidency). Rajaji, as he was popularly called, suggested the use of the ‘Sengol’.

On August 14, 1947, a momentous occasion unfolded as three priests from the Tanjore religous body carried the 'Sengol', presiding over proceedings with great reverence. They then handed the 'Sengol' to Nehru, thereby marking the transfer of power.

At the sarva-dharma prarthana, religious leaders chanted prayers in various languages. The ceremony began with a traditional 'pooja' with Vedic rituals. PM Modi performed "Ganapati Homam" to invoke Gods to bless the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

Union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda appealed to the opposition parties saying that they should not do politics and take part in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building to strengthen democracy.

8,000 to 10,000 Delhi police personnel have been deployed in order to ensure that there is no disturbance in the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building, Special CP, Law & Order, Dependra Pathak said. 

PM Modi dedicated the new Parliament building to the nation by unveiling the plaque marking the inauguration.

Union home minister Amit Shah said that he considers himself ‘fortunate’ to have been a public representative in both Parliament buildings – existing and upcoming.

New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area today which means that only specific movement of vehicles will be allowed, which includes public transport, civil services aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles. Everything you need to know is here

All entry exit gates of Central Secretariat & Udyog Bhawan stations have been closed for passenger movement. Interchange facilities are available at Central Secretariat, Delhi Metro informed. 

PM Narendra Modi felicitated the workers who worked in the building and the development of the new Parliament building ahead of the inauguration ceremony. PM Modi felicitated the construction workers with traditional shawls and handed over mementoes as well. 

BJP MPs have been asked to be present at the ceremony to pay a floral tribute to the photo of Veer Savarkar in the Central Hall of the newly-built Parliament House at 10:30 am, an official communication by the party read.

This will be followed by the 101st episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ session held by PM Modi in the GMC Balayogi auditorium of the Parliament Library building. 

The new Parliament building has been built ensuring that there is efficient space utilisation, secure infrastructure, latest communications technology and structural safety of the building and to meet the demand for work spaces.

1. PM Modi performed "Ganapati Homam" to invoke Gods to bless the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
2. The prime minister prostrated before the "Sengol" and sought blessings from priests of various adheenams in Tamil Nadu.
3. PM Modi then carried the "Sengol" in a procession amid tunes of "nadaswaram" and chanting of Vedic mantras to the new Parliament building. 
4. He then installed it in a special enclosure on the right side of the Speaker's chair in the Lok Sabha chamber.
5. The prime minister felicitated some workers who played key roles in the construction of the new Parliament building.