Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday kickstarted the special session of Parliament and bid adieu to the old Parliament building, describing the moment as emotional. The prime minister emphasised that the historical structure will continue to inspire the generations to come.
During his last address in Lok Sabha at the old Parliament building, PM Modi remembered the parliamentary journey of the past 75 years and said it is time to move forward.
The proceedings of both houses during the five-day special session of Parliament will be shifted to the new complex on Tuesday, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
PM Modi Remembers Historic Moments In Old Parliament Building
- PM Modi emphasised that saying goodbye to the old Parliament building is an emotional moment and added that many sweet and bitter memories have been associated with it.
- He paid tributes to ‘every brick’ of the old building and said the MPs would enter the new building with ‘new hope and confidence’.
- The prime minister said that this House was the place for the Imperial Legislative Council and following independence, this gained the identity of ‘Parliament House’.
- PM Modi also lauded the contributions of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and other prime ministers while remembering the bitter-sweet memories witnessed in the old historic building.
- Remembering the contribution of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PM said, "Atal ji had said Sarkarein aayegi-jaayegi, partiyan banegi-bigdegi, lekin ye desh rehna chahiye. This echoes even to this day...".
- The prime minister also remembered the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Chandrashekhar and Lal Krishna Advani for enriching the House.
- He also lauded the contribution of BR Ambedkar for his vision towards industrialisation, aimed at bringing social justice to the country during the first government of independent India.
Historic Moments Witnessed By Old Parliament Building
The old building of Parliamnet witnessed various historical moments, including the adoption of the Constitution.
The old Parliament building was completed in 1927 and is currently 96 years old. It was designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.
The historic structure witnessed not just the struggle for independence, but also the growth and rise of the country.
- Jawaharlal Nehru’s Announcement Of India’s Independence
India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the historic 'Tryst with Destiny' speech from the old Parliament building, announcing India’s independence from British rule. It is considered one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century.
- Adoption Of Constitution
The old Parliament building also witnessed several debates and discussions before the Constitution of India was adopted in 1949. The draft was adopted on November 26, 1949, and it came into force on January 26, 1950.
- Indira Gandhi’s Oath As Prime Minister Of India
Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the prime minister of India on January 24, 1966, in the old Parliament building.
- New Economic Policy: 1991
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who was finance minister during the Narasimha Rao government, also presented his maiden union budget in the old Parliament building.
On July 24, 1991, Manmohan Singh also presented India’s plan for the New Economic Policy which included economic liberalisation, deregulation of markets by privatisation, and facilitating globalisation.
- Parliament Attack 2001
The old Parliament building also witnessed a terrorist attack on December 13, 2001.
- Abrogation Of Article 370
In a landmark decision, the Union government revoked Article 370 and Article 35 A, which accorded special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019. It also passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, bifurcating the former state into two union territories Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh.