19-09-2023 : In a historic transition from the old Parliament building to the new, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion as a “new beginning for a new future.” As he addressed the Members of Parliament (MPs) in the iconic Central Hall of the outgoing Parliament, he called upon them to reaffirm their commitment to transforming India into a developed nation by the year 2047.
Prime Minister Modi reflected on the rich legacy of India’s Parliament, highlighting that since 1952, 41 heads of state from around the world have addressed the nation’s MPs within the hallowed walls of the Central Hall. Moreover, he acknowledged the passing of over 4,000 laws by the Indian Parliament over the past seven decades.
Embracing the significance of the moment, Modi emphasized, “Today, together in the new Parliament building, we are all going to inaugurate a new future. Today, we are moving towards the new building here with the intention of reiterating the resolve of a developed India, being determined and working whole-heartedly to fulfill it.”
Reflecting on the achievements of the old Parliament building, he cited the passage of significant laws such as the one against ‘triple talaq,’ which brought justice to Muslim mothers and sisters. Additionally, he noted that Parliament has enacted laws in recent years that grant rights and justice to transgender individuals and create a brighter future for the differently-abled.
Modi also emphasized the privilege of abrogating Article 370, underlining that the Constitution formulated in the Parliament House has been successfully implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. He praised the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their determination to embrace peace, development, and progress.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister called for a broader perspective when crafting reforms and new legislation, with the overarching goal of fulfilling the rising aspirations of the nation. He urged MPs to think big and expand their vision for India’s future.
Modi eloquently conveyed, “We have a rich heritage! If this rich heritage is joined in by our dreams, and our resolutions, and if our canvas of thinking expands, we will certainly be able to paint a picture of ‘Bhavya Bharat’ (Grand India), we will certainly be able to fill colors in this picture, and offer this beautiful, colorful, and grand picture of ‘Maa Bharti’ (Mother India) to our future generations.”
As a symbolic gesture, Prime Minister Modi led several MPs in a solemn walk from the old Parliament building to the new, where they convened in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers of the newly constructed complex. This transition marks a historic moment in India’s parliamentary history, signifying a transition towards a future characterized by progress, development, and ambition.