Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building at Sansad Marg in Parliament Complex by performing religious rituals at the site. The various religious leaders performed Sarva Dharma Prarthana at the foundation stone laying ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said that the new parliament building will be the place to fulfill the aspirations of the 21st century India. He said that the new building will witness the creation of a self reliant India. Mr. Modi termed the foundation stone laying ceremony as a milestone in India’s democratic history. He said, the new parliament house is a building by the Indians which is vibrant with the idea of indianness.
The Prime Minister said that he will never forget the moment when he walked into the Parliament for the first time in 2014 when he bowed down at the steps of the Parliament with respect. He said the new building will increase the efficiency of the parliamentarians as it houses many modern amenities. He said, India’s democracy is a system developed through centuries of experience.
The Prime Minister said, democracy in India has always been a means of resolving differences along with governance. He said, different views and different perspectives always empower a vibrant democracy. Mr Modi said, policies and Politics may vary, but we are for the service of Public and there should be no differences in this ultimate goal. He said, we always have to remember that every delegate who reaches Parliament is accountable and this accountability is also towards the public and to the Constitution.
The Prime Minister said, democracy is a ritual in India. It is a way of life and soul of the nation. He said, the Indian democratic system has evolved through ages and centuries of experience. He added that the Indian democratic system has an element of life in addition to a system of order.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that today is a historic day in the annals of India’s parliamentary democracy. In a series of tweets, Mr Naidu said, he is extremely glad that the foundation of a new Parliament building is being laid. He said, it will be an iconic symbol of both our ancient ethos and 21st-century aspirations.
The Vice President hoped that the new Parliament Building would be the venue to deepen the democratic roots and build upon the ancient Indian tradition of debate and dialogue. He also hoped that it would bring an improvement in the quality of polity and the quality of life of every citizen in the country. The Vice President said he is looking forward to the successful completion of this new sacred shrine of democracy.
Addressing the gathering, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the current building did not have scope of further structural expansion which necessitated construction of a new parliament building. He said, this will help in successfully discharging the constitutional duties in the years to come.
Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep S. Puri and several others Union Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament were also present on the occasion.