Addressing the nation at the inauguration ceremony for the new Parliament building on Sunday, 28 May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the building was a reflection of the aspirations of 'new India' and a testament to 'the dawn of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).'
PM Modi unveiled a new stamp, and a Rs 75 coin at the ceremony.
(Photo: The Quint)
He also added that the new Parliament building will fulfil the dreams of India's freedom fighters, and also contribute to the world's progress
He also hailed the 'Sengol' and added:
Further, in his address, the PM said: "Our democracy is our inspiration, our Constitution our resolve; Parliament best representative of this inspiration, resolution."
As per PM Modi, the new complex will be witness to the development of India.
'Rs 75 Coin Unveiled, Construction Workers Facilitated': Other Key Events at the Ceremony
In the second leg of the ceremony that began at 11:30 AM, Lok Sabha deputy Speaker Harivansh Singh read out President Droupadi Murmu's address.
Following this, Modi also released a new stamp, and a Rs 75 coin to mark the occasion.
The first leg of the New Parliament inauguration ceremony began with a Ganapati Homam pooja in the premises, following which PM Modi installed the Sengol in a special enclosure on the right side of the speaker's chair in the Lok Sabha chamber.
The Sengol once marked the transfer of power from the British to India, and was accepted by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the night of 14 August 1947.
"The Sengol was placed in the Parliament building today. In the Chola empire, it (Sengol) was considered a symbol of the Kartavya path (path of duty), Seva Path (path of service) and Rashtra path (path of the nation)."Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, S Jaishankar, and Jitendra Singh, chief ministers of several states, and BJP president JP Nadda were in attendance in the first leg of the ceremony
However, several Opposition parties boycotted the inauguration, citing the absence of President Droupadi Murmu, who they argued should have inaugurated the new Parliament.
Apart from the pooja conducted to commence the inauguration, a Sarv-dharma prayer ceremony involving leaders from different faiths was also held.
PM Modi also facilitated select construction workers who played key roles in the building of the new Parliament. At least 60,000 workers contributed to the construction.
It reportedly took 900 artisans from UP, and 10 lakh hours to weave the carpet in the new Parliament building sprawled across 64,500 square metres.
Here are 10 other lesser known facts about the new Parliament building:
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