Let’s move to new Parliament building with new hope, confidence: PM
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to “every brick” of the old Parliament building and said MPs will enter the new building with “new hope and confidence”.
In his over an hour-long speech in the Lok Sabha, Modi remembered the journey of India’s democracy and said the last day in this heritage building should be dedicated to the over 7,500 parliamentarians who served in this building since Independence.
Parliament will shift to the new building on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Tuesday.
“Today we have an opportunity to connect with the past. We are leaving this building with hope for the future. I am confident that as we enter the new Parliament building, we will go there with new hope and confidence,” the prime minister said.
“Today is the day for remembering the 7,500 MPs who have served here… I salute every brick of this building,” he said.
Highlighting the historical importance of the old Parliament building, PM Modi recalled that while the order for its construction was given by foreign rulers, it was constructed through the sweat, hard work and money of Indians.
“Today, we are taking leave from this historic building. Before Independence, this was the Imperial Legislative Council and after Independence, it became the Parliament building,” he said.
“We may go to the new building but… this building will always continue to inspire the coming generations. This is an important chapter in the golden journey of India’s democracy,” the prime minister said, adding that the memories of the old Parliament House belong to everyone.
Modi also recalled his first day in the Parliament House. “When I became a Member of Parliament for the first time and entered this building… I naturally bowed my head before I set foot inside the door of this Parliament House, paying homage to this temple of democracy,” he said.
“That moment was full of emotions for me, I could not have imagined but it is the strength of Indian democracy, it is a reflection of the faith of the common man of India towards democracy that a child from a poor family living on a railway platform could reach Parliament,” Modi added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited 140 crore Indians for the success of the G20 Summit held here, saying it does not belong to any individual or a party.
Initiating the discussion in Lok Sabha on “Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha — Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings”, he said the federal structure, diversity, and different state governments welcomed delegates the guests. He also said a summit of the Speakers of Parliaments of the G20 countries will be held soon.
“The success of G-20 belongs to 140 crore Indians. This is the success of India, not of any individual, not the success of any party. The federal structure of India, the diversity of India made it possible to host more than 200 meetings at 60 places to show the myriad colours of India,” PM Modi said.
He said everyone should celebrate this success, and India should be proud that the African Union joined G20 under its presidency.
“I cannot forget the emotional moment when the African Union (joining G20) was announced, and the President of the African Union said he would probably cry while speaking,” the prime minister said.
Modi also spoke on the consensus achieved on the G20 declaration. He said many speculated a declaration would not come out of the G20 summit. “But this is India’s strength, a declaration came with consensus.”
PM Modi said India has the G20 presidency till November, and P20 – a summit of Speakers of Parliaments of the G20 countries, will be held soon.
The world has found a friend in India, Modi said.
Referring to the old Parliament building where he was speaking, Modi said while foreign rulers had decided to build the structure, it was constructed by the hard work, sweat and money of the people of India.
Before Independence, this building was called the Imperial Legislative Council. After Independence, it became Parliament building, he said.
In these 75 years, many democratic traditions have been formed and everyone in the House has contributed to it, Modi said.
“We may go to the new building, but the old building will also inspire generations to come,” the prime minister noted, adding this is an important chapter of India’s journey.
Press Trust of India
