THE NEW PARLIAMENT OF INDIA

Latest Context

Recently, the new Parliament building was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India. On this occasion, the Prime Minister of India also installed the historic “Sengol” near the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Sengol: It is a sceptre signifying authority and power. By going to Tamil History, Sengol “symbolized the transfer of the power from the British to India in 1947” This historical sceptre was received by the former Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru from Lord Mountbatten to represent the transfer of India from the British and was kept in the museum of Allahabad.

Background

• In 2012. the then Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar set up a committee to suggest alternatives to the old building by keeping its stability in mind. Accordingly, several proposals have been forwarded for a new parliament building to replace the old complex of Parliament.
• In 2019, the Government of India launched a Central Vista Project that comprises several other projects like revamping the Kartavya Path, and construction of PM residence and office.

Unique Features of the New Parliament Building

• As per the chief architect of the Central Vista Project Bimal Patel, the entire complex will be of hexagon shape
• It will have a life span will be more than 150 years. Furthermore, it will be earthquake-resistant and a different style of architecture from India has been incorporated in it.
• The new parliament complex’s budgetary allocation is a $2.4 billion project.

Distinctive Features from Old Parliament Complex:

Significance of the New Parliament Building

• It highlights the rich democratic traditions of India from the Vedic period to the present day
• The Constitution Hall of this new Parliament building is meant to showcase a series of the “growth of democracy”. This hall is inspired by the Sri Yantra which is used by Hindus for worship and is considered a source of “pure energy”.
• The Constitution Hall having a digitized copy of the Indian Constitution is the best example of modernity because it also houses a Foucault’s Pendulum to demonstrate the rotation of the earth.
• The New Parliament building will help in forming a political consensus and will act as a symbol of freedom from the mindset of slavery and will help in building a distinct identity.
• It will be starting point of the country’s journey towards excellence in every field.
• It will be a “Shraddha Sthal” because it will serve as a platform to fulfil the ambitions of the people of India. 

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