Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a new Parliament Building, saying it would reflect the aspirations of the 21st century India.
The ceremony, in the Parliament premises, was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Urban Development Minister Hardeep Puri, industrialist Ratan Tata. Governors, Chief Ministers of various states and presiding officers of state assemblies joined through a video link.
Addressing the function, the Prime Minister recalled that the democratic traditions in India dated back to the 10th century through the Kudumbu system of governance was practiced in the Chola empire and the Anubhava Mantapam established by Saint Basaveshwara in the 12th Century.
“The history of democracy is seen in every nook and corner of the country,” Modi said.
He said while across the world democracy is identified with elections, the election process, elected members, governance administration, in India it was a way of life and part of the value system.
The Prime Minister said the new building will be an amalgamation of the new and the ancient, and reflect the spirit of fostering change by adapting to the changing circumstances.
“We, the people of India, will together build this new building of Parliament. This new building will be an inspiration when India will celebrate its 75 years of independence,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said if the existing Parliament House gave direction to post-Independence India, the new building will be witness to the creation of a self-reliant India.
On Monday, the Supreme Court had allowed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Parliament building, on the pre-condition to keep in abeyance the construction or demolition of buildings and re-location of trees till it gave its judgment on the petitions challenging government’s plans to redevelopment of the Central Vista.
The new building, constructed by Tata Projects at a cost of Rs 971 crore, will have an area of 64,500 square metres and would be completed in 22 months, to coincide with India’s 75th year of Independence.
The existing Parliament House building will be suitably retro-fitted to provide more functional spaces for parliamentary events, to ensure its usage along with the new building.