New Delhi: It was the last day of business for the 96-year old Parliament House on Monday as proceedings will shift to the new complex from 19 September, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced at the beginning of the five-day special session.
During his address in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of the inspirational moments associated with the “historic building” as legislators were set to bid adieu.
Modi said: “Before Independence, this House was the seat of the Imperial Legislative Council. After Independence, this became the Parliament House. It is true that the decision to construct this building was taken by foreign rulers but the hard work and money that went into its construction was of my countrymen.”
#WATCH | Special Session of Parliament | In Lok Sabha, PM Modi says, "…All of us are saying goodbye to this historic building. Before independence, this House was the place for the Imperial Legislative Council. After independence, this gained the identity of Parliament House.… pic.twitter.com/GRWUlr69U2
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2023
“When I first entered this building as an MP, I bowed down and honoured the temple of democracy. It was an emotional moment for me. I could have never imagined that a child from a poor family, living on the railway platform, would ever be able to enter the Parliament,” the Prime Minister said in his speech.
He added the moment of departure was emotional, remembering the many “bitter-sweet memories” created in this building. “There were clashes here as well as celebrations… This is our shared legacy, our shared pride,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said “Pandit Nehru” had made his historic speech – “At the stroke of the midnight hour” – in this Parliament and it still inspired all. “In this Parliament, Atalji had said governments will come and go, parties will form and fall, but this country must continue,” Modi added.
VIDEO | "The echo of Pandit (Jawahlal) Nehru's 'at the stroke of midnight' in this Parliament will continue to inspire us. And this is that very Parliament where Atal Ji said 'sarkaren ayyengi, jayengi; partiyan banegi, bigedgi; magar ye desh rahna chahiye'," says PM Modi in Lok… pic.twitter.com/tATlpVRlrs
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 18, 2023
He spoke of the many events the old Parliament building had been witness to – from India’s support to the Bangladesh freedom movement to “the attack on democracy under Emergency”.
Modi also said many important decisions had been taken in this House, which found permanent solutions to lingering issues. Among them, he singled out the abrogation of Article 370, one-nation, on-tax (GST); one-rank, one-pension (OROP) and the reservation of 10 per cent for the poor.
The Prime Minister, who has rarely given interviews to the media, also thanked his “journalist friends” who reported from the old Parliament. “They relayed the information from hee to the whole country, even when there was no technology available,” Modi said.
He said as legislators leave the old building “for the new”, India has also risen in the eyes of the world. Modi lauded India’s “strength” in bringing all G20 countries to the table and engineering a unanimous declaration at the recently-concluded Leaders Summit. “G20’s success is that of 140 crore citizens of the country. It is India’s success, not that of an individual or a party… It is a matter for all to celebrate,” he added.
Modi said the achievements of all Indians were being discussed everywhere in the world. “This is the result of our united efforts during the 75-year history of our Parliament,” he said, with special mention of the moon-landing.
“The success of Chandrayaan-3 has not only made India but the world proud. This has highlighted a new form of India’s power which is connected to technology, science, the potential of our scientists and the strength of the 140 crore people in the country. I again congratulate our scientists today,” the PM said.
The five-day special session, which began Monday, will discuss the Parliament’s 75-year journey – starting from the Constituent Assembly – and other legislative businesses, among which is the contentious Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023.
Also read: ‘It will be short but of historic developments,’ says Modi about Parliament’s special session