New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) As he dedicated the new Parliament House to the nation in the grand ceremony marked by Havans and installing the sceptre "Sengol", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday was his usual self.
Besides referring to rich Indian culture and heritage to evoke a strong sense of nationalism, Modi highlighted works of his government in the past nine years and set 2047 as a cut-off year to make India a developed country.
The PM said that the new Parliament Building will strengthen the nation's belief in its success and will inspire everyone towards a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
Addressing a sizeable gathering comprising primarily of ruling party MPs, ministers, top officials and other eminent people, Modi said that any expert will treat his government's nine years as years of reconstruction and Gareeb Kalyan (welfare of the poor).
As many as 20 opposition parties, however, boycotted the event taking the sheen out of the mega show. Led by Congress, the opposition parties stayed away from the mega event. In their joint call, the opposition parties said that PM Modi's decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building and "completely sidelining President (Droupadi) Murmu" is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response.
Undettered by Opposition move, PM Modi appeared to be making strong pitch for public support when he goes for third consecutive term next year.
Among those from the non-BJP parties who attended the event included YSR Congress Chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, JD (S) leader and former PM HD Deve Gowda and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said that in this hour of pride for the new Parliament building, he also felt satisfaction for the 4 crore houses built for the poor. He further noted construction of 11 crore toilets, 4 lakh kilometers of roads for connecting villages, more than 50,000 Amrit Sarovars and 30,000 new Panchayat Bhawans.
“From Panchayat Bhawans to Parliament only one inspiration guided us, that is, the development of the nation and its people”, he added.
Talking about new Parliament building, Modi said, “This building has Virasat (heritage) as well as Vastu (Architecture), Kala (art) as well as kaushal (skill), sanskriti (culture) as well as notes of Samvidhan (Constitution)."
He pointed out that the interiors of Lok Sabha are themed on the national bird peacock and Rajya Sabha on the national flower lotus.
"The Parliament premises have the national tree Banyan. The new building incorporates the specialities of different parts of the country," he said.
He mentioned that granite from Rajasthan, timber from Maharashtra and carpet by Bhadhoi artisans were used in the new building.
PM Modi had laid the foundation stone of the new Parliament House in December 2020. The triangular-shaped building came up in record time despite disruptions caused by Covid pandemic.
Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, the government had in 2021 said that the new Parliament Building was estimated to cost Rs 971 crore, as against the original estimate of Rs 862 crore.
Tata Projects Ltd (TPL) has constructed the new building after it outbid closet rival L&T.
Designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker during the colonial rule, the old Parliament building was inaugurated on January 18, 1927 by the then Viceroy Lord Irwin.
An imposing British-era building, the old Parliament House remains majestic and an architectural splendour.
Prime Minister Modi said that this new building is an example of the coexistence of ancient and modern. He noted that the need for a new Parliament was being discussed for decades and it was the need of the hour that a new Parliament should be developed.
In order to mark the historic occasion, the PM earlier in the day received a 5-feet long golden sceptre called "Sengol" from Adheenam (Priests) from Mutts in Tamil Nadu and established it in the New Parliament House.
The same Sengol made of silver and plated with gold had been handed over to the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by the Viceroy Lord Mountbatten on 14 August 1947 to mark the transfer of power from British Raj to India.
The official website on Sengol describes it as a sacred symbol to be revered. It also says that Sengol represents that the ruler is under the rule of law and a reminder that the powers of the ruler are not absolute.
PM Modi's bid to re-enact the event on India's Independence from the British, however, stoked controversy with senior Congress leader and MP Jairam Ramesh saying that there is no documented evidence describing the sceptre as a symbol of transfer of British power to India.
"The sceptre is now being used by the PM & his drumbeaters for their political ends in Tamil Nadu.
This is typical of this brigade that embroiders facts to suit its twisted objectives," he wrote on Twitter targeting the government.
Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla, and Deputy Speaker of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh were present on the occasion of dedicating the new Parliament House to the nation.

UNI NK GNK