New Delhi: As Rajya Sabha members entered Parliament Monday to attend the first day of the winter session, the MPs were in for a surprise as the marshals, who stood on either side of the chairman, sported a different uniform.
A navy blue jacket with an elaborately-adorned cap had replaced the traditional Indian attire paired with a turban.
“It had been a long time since any change was made, which is why the Vice-President thought we should do this now,” said A.A. Rao, media advisor to Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu.
According to Rajya Sabha sources, the attire was last changed in the 1950s.
While their winter uniform is royal blue, their summer dress will be an all-white attire, similar to the Indian Navy forces.
This winter session marked the 250th session of Rajya Sabha and it seemed like a landmark moment to put in effect this decision, the sources said.
“While the Vice-President had been thinking about this change for a while, deciding the colour proved to be an obstacle. The colour for both uniforms was eventually chosen by his daughter, Deepa Venkat,” they said.
The second session under the BJP-led NDA government, after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is expected to see many contentious issues being raised, including the Citizenship (Amendment Bill), economic slowdown, and the Jammu and Kashmir situation.
The session will span over 26 days with 20 sittings and will end on 13 December.
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