Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Parliament building on Sunday. PM Modi also addressed the nation from the newly inaugurated Lok Sabha. In the new complex, he issued a stamp and a Rs 75 coin. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the new structure will herald the dawn of a self-sufficient India. He stated that the new Parliament will also lead to global development through India's development. PM Modi had earlier installed the historic 'Sengol' near the Lok Sabha Speaker's chair. He also unveiled the plaque commemorating the opening of the new Parliament building.
In a tweet, PM Modi shared the key moments of the day as the event unfolded from 7 am onwards. The caption of the post read: "Here are key moments from the grand inauguration of our new Parliament building. A milestone in our nation's journey, it radiates the hopes and aspirations of 140 crore Indians".
The news agency ANI also shared images of the skies illuminated by the light and laser show at the new Parliament building.
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KEY MOMENTS FROM THE NEW PARLIAMENT INAUGURATION CEREMONY:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Parliament wearing a crisp dhoti and kurta for religious ceremonies to mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
- The Prime Minister performed Ganapati Homam as part of the Vastu Pooja rituals, prostrating before the 'Sengol,' the ceremonial sceptre that traces its tradition back to the Chola dynasty, which established itself in the third century BCE.
- The 'Sengol' was consecrated by the high priests of 21 'adheenams' from Tamil Nadu and handed over to the Prime Minister, who carried it in a ceremonial procession to the new Parliament building and installed it on the right side of the Lok Sabha Speaker's chair.
- At least 20 opposition parties boycotted the inauguration of the new Parliament building, claiming that as the head of state, President Droupadi Murmu should have done the honours.
- To commemorate the inauguration of the new parliament building, all-religious prayers were also held. The ceremonial rituals are set in motion by spiritual strains of Shaivite hymns from the sacred Thevaram text.
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was the only non-NDA leader present at the formal inauguration ceremony.
- Chief Ministers from NDA constituent parties including Eknath Shinde (Maharashtra), Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya), Zoramthanga (Mizoram), Neiphu Rio (Nagaland), and Prem Singh Tamang (Sikkim) attended the formal inauguration ceremony in the Lok Sabha chamber. Several foreign ambassadors were also present during the ceremony.
- To mark the occasion, the Prime Minister issued a commemorative postal stamp and a Rs 75 coin.
- According to the Prime Minister, Mahatma Gandhi captivated everyone with the idea of Swaraj through the non-cooperation movement 25 years before Independence.
- He stated that India will celebrate 100 years of independence in the next 25 years and urged all citizens to work towards a developed India during this period of "Azadi ka Amrit Kaal."
IN PICS | PM Modi Prostrates At Opening Of New Parliament Building, Places Sacred 'Sengol' In LS