NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju has described his last day in the old parliament as “very memorable”.
Speaking to The New Indian, Rijiju said, “The last day is always very memorable. We will always draw inspiration from the grand old parliament house.”
He also pledged that by drawing inspiration from the old building, he will fulfill his duties in the new parliament building.
The special session of parliament called by the government commenced on Monday, marking the last day of activity in the old parliament building. Starting from Tuesday, sessions will be conducted in the new parliament building.
The history of India’s parliament building spans a significant chapter in the nation’s journey. The foundation stone of the “Old” parliament house was laid by Britain’s Duke of Connaught in 1921, marking a symbol of India’s rebirth. This iconic building witnessed the historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech by Jawaharlal Nehru on August 15, 1947, marking India’s independence.
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The Constituent Assembly convened in the old parliament building, adopting the Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949, before it came into effect on January 26, 1950, signifying the birth of the Republic of India.
In the early 2010s, worries about the current parliament building’s safety sparked talks about building a new one. Speaker Meira Kumar established a committee in 2012 to explore alternative options due to issues like insufficient space and structural integrity.
The new parliament building emerged as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project of the Modi government in 2019. This modern marvel, costing ₹836 crore, stands as the 4th largest in the world. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in May this year amidst the boycott by opposition parties. Meanwhile, the old parliament building has been converted into a “Museum of Democracy.”