Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly became emotional and bid goodbye to the old parliament.
PM Modi’s Remarks on the Parliament
Image credit: Statesman
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his attachment with the building and said goodbye to the old parliament, before the commencement of the new session in the new one from tomorrow.
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Further, he also acknowledged the history associated with this British-era monument and the memories, be they good or bad attached to this place.
His remarks and statements reflect the important role the parliament played in shaping the political history of India.
His statement further reflected the nostalgic feeling that each political figure sitting in that parliament felt before moving towards the new parliament from tomorrow.
Memories of the Prime Minister
Image credit: TOI
Today the prime minister recalled the moment when he entered the parliament as a member of parliament for the first time in 2014.
Recalling that moment he said that after he entered the parliament he honored the temple of democracy by bowing his head and expressed his disbelief that that poor child would one day become the prime minister of this country and enter the parliament.
His exact wordings were “When I entered the parliament as a member of parliament, I bowed down my head and paid tribute to the temple of democracy. It was a moment filled with emotion. I couldn’t imagine that a poor child who lived on a railway platform would ever have the chance to enter the parliament”.
Starting the discussion on parliament’s journey in 75 years, beginning from Samvidhan Sabha, which included experiences, lessons, and achievements in the Lok Sabha.
The prime minister further said that saying goodbye to this old building is an emotional moment.
Also, many good and bad memories are attached to this old building.
His exact words were
“ Saying goodbye to this building is filled with emotional moments … .Many memories, be it good or bad, are attached to it. We all have seen differences & disputes arise in the parliament, but in this same place, we have also seen parivaar bhaav”.
PM Modi on Jawaharlal Nehru
The prime minister during the course of his speech, also appreciated the role of Jawaharlal Nehru and remembered the first speech of the first PM in a newly-independent India at that time.
He said that his speech “At the stroke of midnight will always inspire us in this building. In this place itself, Atal ji said his famous words and said “Sarkarein aayegi-jaayegi, Lekin yeh desh rehna chayiye”.
This echo is heard even today, said the prime minister.
Country’s Critical moments at the parliament
The prime minister further remembered the contribution of those who fought in the terror attack inflicted on the parliament in 2001.
His wordings were
“ A terror attack happened in parliament. That time, a building wasn’t attacked. It was an attack on the mother of democracy which is considered our living soul. The country can’t forget this attack. I pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives by taking bullets on their chest for the safety of parliament and its members while fighting the terrorists.
He further recalled the work of the parliament members during the Covid-19 crisis.
“ A lot of MPs were present in the session during that time despite issues of health. During this crisis, our MPs were there in the proceedings of both houses and conducted their duties…. With this feeling, India’s journey towards growth shouldn’t be affected. All members considered this house as an important duty to accomplish.
After independence, many commentators expressed their opinion on whether India would be united or not. Alas, we proved them wrong.
What will happen to the old parliament?
There are many speculations about what will happen to the old building.
According to the statesman report citing the source, the existing building will be conserved as a part of the archaeological asset of the country.
Or it will be retrofitted for the provision of more functional space for parliamentary events and ensuring it might be used along with the new one.
Some reports say that it might be converted into a museum.
