Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the new Parliament was the "dawn of the amritkaal" of India's Independence and was a testament to India's new future. "I extend my heartiest welcome to all of you in this new Parliament building. This occasion is unprecedented in several ways. This is the dawn of Azadi ka Amrit Kaal," he said.
"Chandrayaan-3's skyrocketing success fills every countryman with pride. Under India's presidency, the extraordinary organising of G20 became an occasion to make unique achievements like getting the global desired impact. In the light of this, the symbol of modern India and ancient democracy - proceedings in the new Parliament building begins today," he said.
He said it was an auspicious day to start the Parliament proceedings in the new building as it was Ganesh Chaturthi. He further said: "Samvatsari is also celebrated today, this is a wonderful tradition. Today is the day when we say 'micchami dukkadam', this gives us the chance to apologise to someone we have hurt intentionally or unintentionally. I also want to say 'micchami dukkadam', to all the members of Parliament and the people of the country."
He then appealed to all parties to forget past animosity as they started proceedings in the new building. "Parliament is the supreme place to serve the nation. Whatever we do in this new Parliament building, it should be an inspiration to every citizen of the country. When we are starting a new chapter, we should forget all past bitterness," PM Modi said.
PM Modi said that Parliament is not a place to work for the growth of a single party, but for the development of the nation. Remembering India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, he said, "This building is new, everything here is new, but there is a symbol of heritage present here that connects yesterday with today. On this new beginning of parliamentary democracy, the witness of the first ray of freedom, which will inspire future generations, is the holy 'sengol'. This is that sengol which was touched by India's first PM Pandit Nehru."
Ahead of the proceedings of Lok Sabha in the New Parliament building, Speaker Om Birla said: "Today is a significant day in the history of democracy as we are starting the proceedings of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. We are fortunate enough to witness this historic day, I congratulate all of you."