When the much-anticipated new parliament building is officially inaugurated on May 28, a "significant historical" symbol of India's independence is expected to be one of the main attractions.
This symbol, which is similar to the British king's ancestral glittering objects of power, is a golden impressive sceptre known as a "Sengol" (which derives from the Tamil word 'semmai', which means righteousness). This Sengol, whose origins can be traced back to Tamil history and traditions and which symbolises "power and justice," has been plucked from obscurity and will soon take pride of place near the Parliament Speaker's seat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will place it there in a ceremonial manner.
Union home minister Amit Shah told the media after making the announcement about incorporating the historic 'sengol' imbued with meaning into the inauguration of the new parliament building, "This 'sengol' has huge significance. When Prime Minister Modi learned of this, he requested more information..."
WHO CREATED THE 'SENGOL'?
It was created during the time of Independence in 1947 when the British handed over power to India. It was made by Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, a well-known jeweller in Chennai.
Posting a video on Twitter, ANI reported that Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers still has a replica of the historic sceptre 'Sengol'. Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a jeweller, designed the 'Sengol' in 1947 in Madras, under the supervision of the seer of Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam, a Tamil Nadu mutt.
Jithendra Vummidi, great-grandson of jeweller Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, who created the 'Sengol' in 1947, said on Wednesday (May 24) that the 'Sengol' represented the Chola dynasty's tradition of handing over power to new kings. The sceptre bears a 'Nandi' and an image of Goddess Lakshmi, both of which symbolise wealth and prosperity. According to ANI, the 'Sengol' was given to Lord Mountbatten at the time, blessed with prayers, and then handed over to Pt Nehru.
Last year, on Independence Day, the official Instagram handle of the Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers posted a photo of the historic' sengol' with the caption: "We take pride in the role of the Vummudi Family in making the history of our diverse country's Independence symbolic."