essay on new parliament of india

New Parliament House of India: Here's a timeline, cost, design, features, and more

This blog explores the new Parliament of India, its construction, design, and cultural significance

Central Vista project

How does the new parliament building look, why did india build a new parliament building, what are the critical design elements of the new parliament building, key features of the new parliament building, indian culture and heritage in the new parliament building.

• Gaja Dwar, located on the north side, honours the elephant, symbolising prosperity and happiness in Indian mythology.
• Hamsa Dwar, named after the Swan, embodies self-realisation and wisdom associated with Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, reflecting the wisdom needed to guide the nation.
• Shardula Dwar features a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of various animals, symbolising the power of the country's people.
• Garuda Dwar, at the eastern entrance, draws inspiration from Garuda, the king of birds and Lord Vishnu's mount, symbolising power and dharma. It emphasises the Parliament's embodiment of the people's power and duty.
• Makar Dwar, facing gate 12 of the old Parliament House, pays homage to the legendary sea creature, often seen in Hindu and Buddhist monuments. It is associated with protectors.
• Ashwa Dwar, named after the Sanskrit word for horse, represents power, strength, and courage.

Timeline of events

• September 2019: Government launches ' Redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue' plan.
• September 2020: Tata Projects Ltd awarded ₹862 crore contract for new Parliament house construction.
• October 2020: HCP Design Planning and Management Pvt Ltd selected for architectural consultancy.
• 10 December 2020: Foundation stone laid for the new Parliament house.
• 11 July 2022: Unveiling the national emblem statue atop the new Parliament house.
• 28 August 2022: Completion of the main structure for the new Parliament.
• 20 May 2023: Full completion of construction.
• 28 May 2023: Inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• 19 September 2023: Commencement of house proceedings for Parliament Special Session, 2023.

Significance of the new Parliament building for India?

Top facts about the new parliament building.

• The new building is triangular, which symbolises sacred geometry in religions. It's designed to harmonise with the old Parliament building and will function as part of one complex, per architect Bimal Patel's vision.
• The new building is environmentally friendly and aims for a 30 percent reduction in electricity consumption compared to the old one. It features rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and a space-efficient design, with a lifespan of 150 years, as per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• All records, including house proceedings and business-related matters, are digitised to align with the new Parliament's eco-friendly approach. Additionally, the use of tablets and iPads will become commonplace.

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India's New Parliament Building [UPSC Notes]

In the 75th year of Independence, India proudly unveiled a new Parliament building, constructed by its own people, representing the culture, pride, and spirit of the entire nation. In this article, you can read more about the new Parliament building of India, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28th May 2023. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam under the current affairs and governance segment.

New Parliament Building

Image source: Hindustan Times

The New Parliament House was inaugurated by Shri Modi in May 2023. This building is part of the Central Vista Project .

• Located on Rafi Marg, New Delhi, the new building is surrounded by the Old Parliament House, India Gate, Vijay Chowk, Vice President’s House, National War Memorial, Prime Minister’s Office & residence, Secretariat Building, Hyderabad House, ministerial buildings and other administrative units of the Indian government.
• The new complex has 888 seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber.
• The Lok Sabha hall is based on the peacock theme, representing India’s national bird.
• The Rajya Sabha hall is based on the lotus theme, symbolizing India’s national flower.
• The new building is said to have a lifespan of 150 years and is designed to be earthquake-resistant.
• At the new Parliament’s inauguration ceremony, Shri Modi installed the Chola Sengol near the chair of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• The new building has a built-up area of approximately 65,000 sq m, and its triangular shape ensures optimal space utilization.
• The building includes a state-of-the-art Constitutional Hall, which symbolically and physically places Indian citizens at the heart of democracy.

Need for a New Parliament Building

The current Parliament House, commissioned in 1927, is nearly a century-old heritage building. It has experienced a significant increase in parliamentary activities and users over the years. To accommodate rising needs the structure went through various ad hoc constructions and modifications over time, resulting in the building “showing signs of distress and over-utilization” and failing to meet present requirements in terms of space, amenities, and technology. 

According to the official website of the Central Vista project, various reasons are cited for the need for a new parliament building.

• Insufficient seating space for MPs: The existing building was not originally designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a fully-fledged democracy. The number of Lok Sabha seats is expected to increase significantly after 2026 when the freeze on the total number of seats is expected to be removed. The seating capacity was not enough for joint sessions. Due to limited space for movement, it was also a huge security risk.
• Deteriorating infrastructure: As many services were added over time such as water supply, sewer lines, air conditioning, firefighting equipment, and CCTV cameras, this has caused water seepage at various locations, affecting the building’s aesthetics and structural integrity. Fire safety was also a major concern.
• Outdated communication systems: The existing Parliament had outdated communication infrastructure and technology, while the acoustics in all the halls needed improvement.
• Safety concerns: The current Parliament building was constructed when Delhi was in Seismic Zone II, but it is now in Seismic Zone IV, raising concerns about its structural safety.
• Inadequate workspace for employees: Over the years, due to an increase in workman force, these workspaces were further reduced by creating sub-partitions to accommodate more workers.
• New Parliament building: The official website describes the new building, which stands alongside the existing Parliament House, as a reflection of the aspirations of 1.35 billion Indians. The old and new Parliament buildings will function together as an ensemble, facilitating smooth and efficient operations.

Conclusion:

• The construction of India’s new Parliament building marks a significant milestone in the nation’s journey towards efficient governance. 
• The increased capacity, improved infrastructure, advanced technology, and commitment to safety and sustainability pave the way for enhanced parliamentary proceedings and facilitate better decision-making for the nation’s progress.

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India’s New Parliament House

• 30 May 2023
• 10 min read
• Indian Heritage Sites
• GS Paper - 1

For Prelims: India’s New Parliament House, Central Vista project, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Earthquake, Foucault Pendulum, Sengol.

For Mains: Need for India’s New Parliament House.

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister has inaugurated India’s new Parliament building, part of the revamped Central Vista project.

• The construction of the new building, designed by Architect Bimal Patel, began in 2019.

What is the Need for New Parliament Building?

• The old building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a full-fledged democracy. The number of Lok Sabha seats is likely to increase significantly from the current 545 after 2026, when the freeze on the total number of seats lifts.
• The addition of services like water supply and sewer lines, air-conditioning, firefighting equipment, CCTV cameras, etc., have led to seepage of water at several places and impacted the aesthetics of the building.
• Fire safety is a major concern at the building, the official site says.
• Communications infrastructure and technology was antiquated in the old Parliament, and the acoustics of all the halls need improvement.
• The old Parliament building was built when Delhi was in Seismic Zone-II; currently it is in Seismic Zone-V. This raises structural safety concerns.
• Over the years, inner service corridors were converted into offices which resulted in poor-quality workspaces. In many cases, these workspaces were made even smaller by creating sub-partitions to accommodate more workers.

What are the Key Points Related to the New Parliament?

• The new building is triangular in shape, mostly because the plot of land that it is built on is a triangle.
• The new building's design is influenced by sacred geometry found in various religions. Its design and materials are meant to complement the old Parliament, with the two buildings expected to function as one complex.
• Built using green construction techniques, the new building is supposed to reduce electricity consumption by 30%, compared to the old one.
• Rainwater-harvesting and water-recycling systems have been included. It has been designed to be more space efficient and meant to function for the next 150 years.
• Since Delhi is in seismic zone-V, the building is primed to be Earthquake - safe.
• The Lok Sabha chamber will have 888 seats, up from the existing 543, with the option of expanded seating up to 1,272. The Lok Sabha will be used for joint sittings of both Houses in the absence of a Central Hall, which was the fulcrum of the old building.
• The Rajya Sabha chamber has been decorated with the lotus as its theme, with red carpets.
• The Rajya Sabha chamber can accommodate 384 Members of Parliament (MPs), as opposed to the existing capacity of 250. The increased capacity of both chambers is meant to cater to any future increase in the number of MPs following Delimitation.
• The new building has a Constitution Hall, where the journey of Indian democracy has been documented.
• For the interior and exterior of the building, construction materials have been brought in from across the country, including sandstone from Sarmathura in Dholpur and granite from Lakha village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• Similarly, the wood used in the decor is from Nagpur and craftsmen from Mumbai have led the wooden architecture design.
• Bhadohi weavers from Uttar Pradesh have made the traditional hand-knotted carpets for the building.
• The 16-foot-tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, originally placed at the main entrance of Parliament in 1993, has been relocated between the old and new buildings.
• It was created by renowned sculptor Ram V Sutar, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award.
• The building is replete with national symbols, including the national emblem — the Lion Capital of Ashoka — that weighs 9,500 kg and is 6.5 metres in height, and is visible from a distance.
• To support this massive bronze sculpture, a structure of 6,500 kg was constructed on top of the central foyer. At the entrance, the Ashoka chakra and the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ have been carved in stone.
• A golden sceptre (Sengol), given to Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence to mark the transfer of power from the British, will sit in the new Lok Sabha chamber, near the Speaker’s podium. This sceptre was given to him by priests from Tamil Nadu.
• In line with the environment-friendly focus of the new Parliament, all records — House proceedings, questions and other business — are being digitised. Besides, tablets and iPads will become a norm.
• A gallery called ‘Shilp’ will exhibit textile installations from across India, along with pottery items made from the mitti of all Indian states. The gallery ‘Sthapatya’ will exhibit the iconic monuments of India, including those from the different states and UTs. Besides monuments, it also amalgamates yoga asanas.
• At all the entrances of the building, auspicious animals as guardian statues will be exhibited, based on their importance in Indian culture and vaastu shastra. These include the elephant, the horse, the eagle, the swan, and mythical creatures shardula and makara.
• The Foucault pendulum, named after French physicist Léon Foucault, is used to demonstrate the earth’s rotation.
• The pendulum consists of a heavy bob suspended at the end of a long, strong wire from a fixed point in the ceiling. As the pendulum swings, the imaginary surface across which the wire and the bob swipe is called the plane of the swing.

Central Vista

• The Central Vista of New Delhi houses Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Block, India Gate, National Archives among others.
• Delhi Durbar was hosted to mark the coronation of King George V.
• Herbert Baker is also the architect of the Union buildings at Pretoria, South Africa.
• The Parliament House building was designed by both Lutyens and Baker.
• Rashtrapati Bhavan was designed by Edwin Lutyens.
• The Secretariat, which includes both north and south blocks was designed by Herbert Baker.

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Modi leads MPs to new Parliament building: How is it different from the old one?

It’s a historic day for India; MPs have moved from the old premises – now called Samvidhan Sadan – to the new Parliament building on the second day of the special session. Constructed as part of the Central Vista Project, it is four-storeys high and a true representation of the country

Day 2 of the Special Session of Parliament is truly and historically special. It’s the day that MPs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made the shift to new Parliament building and bid adieu to well-loved circular Lutyens building .

The move to the new premises comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the building back on 28 May in a ceremony full of pomp and grandeur. It was then that the PM, dressed in traditional attire, had walked into the premises from Gate No 1 and installed the historic Sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber.

Speaking from the old premise before making the move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Today, we are taking leave from here and heading to the new parliament building. This is auspicious as today is Ganesh Chaturthi. I appeal to you, and I hope you will consider it after deliberation. Now that we are going there (the new parliament building), the glory of this house should never decline. We shouldn’t just call it the ‘old parliament’. I request, if both of you permit, that this building should be known as ‘ Samvidhan Sadan ’ so that it always serves as an inspiration for us. When we call it ‘Samvidhan Sadan’, the memories of those great people who once sat here in the Constituent Assembly get linked to it. We shouldn’t let go of this opportunity to offer this gift to the coming generations,” PM Modi said.

After making the walk to the new building, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also urged on members to set a new standard of parliamentary debate by raising people’s issues, as he extended greetings of Ganesh Chaturthi, and called the move to the new parliament house a historic event.

But what does the new Parliament building offer? Why did India need a new Parliament building? Let’s take a closer look.

Need for a new Parliament building

The new Parliament building, part of the Central Vista project , will replace the existing structure – which was commissioned in 1927. The ‘Samvidhan Sadan’ building was designed in the 1920s by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker as a ‘Council House’. The design was never suitable to accommodate a bicameral legislature – a legislature with two houses – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

As of today, the building can accommodate 552 members and the Central Hall can seat 436 persons. In case of joint sittings, about 200 temporary seats are added in aisle, raising safety concerns.

However, since independence, India’s population has grown leaps and bounds. Hence, there is a need to increase the number of Lok Sabha constituencies through delimitation and there will be a need to accommodate new members who may be added.

Additionally, a new Parliament building was badly needed as the building was under stress, with very little space for MPs to work and was completely out-dated in terms of seismic and fire safety measures and technological innovations. In fact in 2020, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said that that the existing building was showing signs of distress and over utilisation from parliamentary activities over many years.

A representation of entire India

The first and foremost difference between the two buildings is the size and shape of the structures. Samvidhan Sadan was circular in nature. However, the new building, designed by noted architect Bimal Patel , is triangular in shape. Moreover, the new building, built at an estimated cost of Rs 970 crore, is four-storeys high and spread over 64,500 square metres.

Constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, the new building has a constitution hall, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas as well as ample parking space. It also houses almost 5,000 art pieces.

The building has six entrances – the Gaja Dwar, Ashwa Dwar, Garuda Dwar, Makar Dwar, Shardula Dwar and Hamsa Dwar. Each one of these doors has a sculptor of a guardian animal – some of them mythological creatures – and they represent different aspects of Indian history and culture. They have been placed as doorkeepers.

It is important to note here that the material used for the new building has been sourced from across the country. For instance, the teakwood used in the building is sourced from Nagpur in Maharashtra, whereas the red and white sandstone comes from Sarmathura in Rajasthan. The Kesharia green stone has been procured from Udaipur, the red granite from Lakha near Ajmer and the white marble has been sourced from Ambaji in Rajasthan.

The steel structure for the false ceilings in the chambers comes from Daman and Diu while all the furniture inside the building has been crafted in Mumbai. The stone ‘jaali’ (lattice) works dotting the building were sourced from Rajnagar in Rajasthan and Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

The Ashoka Emblem has been built from material sources from Aurangabad, Jaipur. The Ashok Chakra donning the massive walls of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers and the exteriors of the Parliament building were procured from Indore in Madhya Pradesh.

Inside new Parliament building

The new Parliament complex will have a grand Constitution Hall to display the “democratic heritage” of the country. Unlike the existing complex, the new Parliament does not have a Central Hall.

Based on the peacock theme, the new Lok Sabha chamber is three times bigger than the one in the existing building. The new Rajya Sabha hall is built on the lotus theme – India’s national flower.

Last July, Prime Minister Modi had unveiled the National Emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament building. The 6.5-metre-high bronze emblem weighs 9,500 kg. The new Parliament building is also equipped with six granite statues of important personalities, including freedom struggle leaders. Moreover, there are four galleries each for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, three India galleries, a Constitution gallery and three ceremonial foyers.

The new complex also features portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose and also prime ministers of India, as per News18 .

Each wall inside the building also showcase different themes such as the contribution of tribal and women leaders, noted Indian Express.

The official vision document for the new Parliament building says: “The artworks and its installation represent sanatan parampara that continued over thousands of years. Along with that, the overall theme is designed keeping in mind the study of vaastu shastra and maintaining the character of the building.”

The artworks will “depict Indian ethos and identity, related to both the civilisation and culture”, an official told Indian Express .

With inputs from agencies

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Opinion: The New Parliament Building And The Democratic Future Of India

The public debate on the new parliament building has so far remained highly polarized and almost one-sided. The architectural and artistic relevance of this new structure, its cost, its placing in the urban landscape of New Delhi, the future of colonial buildings and even legal technicalities associated with the new building's inauguration have been systematically explored and debated. The non-BJP parties, liberal intellectuals and a section of artists and town planners have been critical of this initiative, while the Modi led-BJP government has defended the project by highlighting its economic sustainability.

The long term impact of the new parliament building on Indian politics, especially in relation to the idea of people's representation, however, has not been given any serious attention. The possible outcome of the 2024 election, it seems, has become the sole point of reference either to celebrate the new building as an achievement or to reject it completely as an overpriced adventure.

The new parliament is not merely a building; it is going to be a site where the future trajectories of Indian democratic tradition will be nurtured and shaped. To understand these implications, we have to pay attention to two important sets of issues: (a) The nature of our constitutional democracy and the significance of parliament in it. (b) The actualities of postcolonial politics of parliamentary representation. 

Constitutional democracy and numbers of MPs

Two features of our Constitution are relevant here.

First, the idea of people's representation is one of the most essential features of the Indian Constitution. India is a democratic republic because the people are identified as the real sovereign. However, this notion of people is not at all rhetorical. The Constitution offers us an interesting formula to make the idea of people's representation institutionally viable.

Article 81 of the Constitution says that Lok Sabha shall have a set number of MPs chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in states and Union Territories. The total number of MPs, however, is not fixed. The allocation of seats to each state or UT has to be determined in proportion to its population. It simply means that the changing demographic profile of the country has to be taken as the ultimate criterion to determine the exact number of MPs in Lok Sabha. Precisely in this sense, the argument to have an expanded built space for the ever-increasing numbers of MPs is valid from the point of view of people's representation.

Second, the Constitution proposes a principle-based yet flexible framework to establish a dynamic and accommodating polity. This framework is grounded on the premise that administrative and political institutions must be designed in a way that they can respond to the ever-changing context-specific political demands.

For that reason, parliament, being the most representative and legally accountable legislative body, is empowered to restructure, expand, amend or even replace the established institutions, following the democratic spirit of the Constitution. The doctrine of the 'basic structure of the Constitution', has been a guiding force to determine the scope of the amending powers of parliament. The initiative to have a new parliament building, in the technical sense, corresponds to this constitutional feature. After all, the Imperial Legislative Council building was also converted into the parliament House following the same principle in the 1950s. The new building, hence, might be seen as an extension of it.

The political story of numbers

These constitutional principles were subsequently elaborated by the Representation of People Act 1950. The newly constituted Election Commission of India (ECI) found that the 1941 census was quite old for the purpose of delimitation of electoral units. To deal with this problem, the Census Commissioner was asked to prepare population estimates. On the basis of these estimates, 489 Lok Sabha seats were marked. 

The numbers of MPs continued to change over the years. The reorganization of the states in 1956 after the enactment of the 7th Amendment was a crucial moment. It affected the configuration of parliament in a significant way. The number of MPs increased in both Houses. For instance, the second Lok Sabha had a provision for 500 MPs, while the Sixth Lok Sabha had 544 seats.

This flexibility was finally compromised in 1976 during the time of the Emergency. The Indira Gandhi government enacted the 42nd Amendment Act to fix the number of Lok Sabha seats. It amended Article 81 of the Constitution and established that the first Census taken after the year 2000 must be recognized as the basis for the allocation of seats in Lok Sabha (The Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976| National Portal of India) . The present strength of Lok Sabha, 543 MPs, is based on this consideration.

Subsequent governments, interestingly, did not show any inclination to revisit the freezing of Lok Sabha seats, especially from the point of view of people's representation. The Constitution (Eighty-fourth Amendment) Act, 2001| National Portal of India extended the deadline simply by amending the Article 81 again. As a result, the cut-off date eventually becomes 2026.

Does the new Parliament building correspond to people's democratic aspirations?

Yes and no.

Technically speaking, the new building certainly accommodates more MPs. According to the official website, the new Lok Sabha Hall has a capacity of up to 888 seats, while there is a larger Rajya Sabha Hall with a capacity of up to 384 seats. The Lok Sabha Hall, we are informed, may also accommodate up to 1,272 seats for joint sessions . It simply means that the new building is built with the assumption that the number of MPs will certainly increase in future.

However, the possibility of increased numbers of MPs is not at all seen through the prism of people's representation. The official website offers us a number of technical and economic justifications for this project, especially in its FAQ section. Yet, there is nothing on the Constitutional mandate or on people's inspiration.

If this initiative fails to pose any challenge to the status-quoist attitude of the political class on the question of people's representation, the new parliament building will be remembered merely as an act of political symbolism.

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(Hilal Ahmed is Associate Professor, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author.

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What is Foucault’s Pendulum installed in new Parliament buidling? Explained

Foucault’s pendulum is the largest of its kind in india, standing at a towering height of 22 meters and weighing a substantial 36 kilograms..

India's newly inaugurated Parliament building, unveiled on Sunday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , boasts several new features and installations compared to the old structure. One notable addition is the historical ‘Sengol’ , a sceptre positioned next to the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker in the chamber. Another intriguing installation is ‘Foucault's Pendulum’ and can be found in the gallery section of the Constitutional Hall, adding to the new Parliament's unique elements.

Also Read | 'Sengol' installation to PM Modi's address: Highlights of new parliament launch

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) based in Kolkata took charge of installing the Foucault's Pendulum. According to The Indian Express report , this pendulum is the largest of its kind in India, standing at a towering height of 22 meters and weighing a substantial 36 kilograms. Similar to any other pendulum, Foucault's Pendulum possesses characteristics that pique one's curiosity. Let us delve into further details about its discovery.

Watch | Light, laser show at new Parliament building following inauguration

Foucault’s pendulum history and science behind.

-An experiment on Foucault's Pendulum was first carried out in 1851 by French scientist Leon Foucault, aiming to demonstrate the Earth's rotation, according to a Britannica report .

-The experimental arrangement entailed suspending a heavy object at a height using a string, enabling unrestricted swinging in all directions. Once set in motion, the pendulum gradually altered its alignment over time. For example, if it commenced swinging in a north-south direction, it would gradually shift towards an east-west direction.

Also Read | Why is new Parliament building triangular-shaped? All features explained

-The experiment concluded that “pendulum does not change its plane of motion, but the ground beneath it does.” When aligned along the Earth's axis at the north and south poles, the pendulum returned precisely to its original position in “24 hours”.

-This phenomenon can be attributed to the pendulum's fundamental principle of swinging with a consistent pattern and operating under the influence of the invisible force of gravity. At other latitudes, it takes longer for the pendulum to realign with its original swinging orientation.

-At the equator, the pendulum is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, resulting in it never altering its swing orientation.

Foucault’s Pendulum in New Parliament

The Indian Express report said that Foucault's Pendulum is suspended from the ceiling of the Central Foyer in India's newly constructed Parliament building. To facilitate the pendulum's movement, a circular installation has been specifically designed on the ground, accompanied by a short grill that allows visitors to gather around it. The installation provides details indicating that at the latitude of the Parliament, the pendulum takes precisely 49 hours, 59 minutes, and 18 seconds to complete a full rotation.

Making and installation

The project of creating this entire pendulum was completed within a span of 10 to 12 months, and it was entirely made in India, as mentioned by Project Incharge Tapas Moharana in The Indian Express report. The pendulum was crafted from gunmetal and equipped with an electromagnetic coil to ensure smooth and uninterrupted movement.

Moharana said, “The suspension system is mounted on the ceiling, and there is a continuous power supply to eliminate any hindrances to the pendulum's motion. The first such pendulum was installed in Pune, and we made certain modifications for this installation.”

It was challenging to install the Foucault’s Pendulum at such a height while ensuring its stability, the project incharge futher said. However, these were addressed. Last year, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) sought the expertise of Moharana, who serves as NCSM's Curator-D, and his team to facilitate the installation of Foucault's Pendulum.

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PM lays foundation stone of New Parliament Building

New parliament will fulfill country’s aspirations : pm democracy is our culture : pm new parliament will witness the making of aatmanirbhar bharat : pm urges to take pledge to keep the country's interest paramount.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building today. The new building is an intrinsic part of the vision of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and will be a landmark opportunity to build a peoples’ Parliament for the first time after independence, one which will match the needs and aspirations of ‘New India’ in the 75th anniversary of independence in 2022.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said today is a milestone in India's democratic history, filled with the idea of ​​Indianness. He added that the start of the construction of Parliament House of India is one of the most important stages of our democratic traditions. He gave a call to the people of India, to build this new building of the Parliament together. He said it can’t be more beautiful or more pure than the new building of our Parliament witnessing  when India celebrates 75 years of its independence.

The Prime Minister recalled the moment when he entered the Parliament House for the first time in 2014 as an MP. He said that when he entered the Parliament House for the first time, he bowed his head and saluted this temple of democracy, before stepping into it. He remarked that many new things are being done in the new Parliament House that will increase the efficiency of the MPs and modernize their work culture. He said if the old Parliament House gave direction to post-independence India, the new building would become a witness to the making of a ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat.’ If work was done to fulfill the needs of the country in the old Parliament House, then the aspirations of 21st century India will be fulfilled in the new building.

The Prime Minister remarked that democracy elsewhere is about election procedures, governance and administration. But democracy in India is about life values, it is the way of life and the soul of a nation. He added India's democracy is a system developed through centuries of experience. There is also a life mantra, an element of life as well as a system of order in the democracy in India. He said it is India's democratic strength that is giving new energy to the development of the country and giving new faith to its countrymen. He said democracy in India is constantly being renewed every year and it is seen that voter turnout is increasing with every election.

The Prime Minister remarked that democracy in India has always been a means of resolving differences along with governance. Different views, different perspectives empower a vibrant democracy. He said our democracy has moved forward with the goal that there is always room for differences so long as it is not entirely disconnected from the process. He stressed that policies and politics may vary but we are for the service of the public and there should be no differences in this ultimate goal. He added whether debates occur within the Parliament or outside, the determination towards national service and dedication towards national interest should be reflected in them constantly.

The Prime Minister urged the people to to remember that it is the responsibility of the people to awaken the optimism towards democracy which is the basis of the existence of the Parliament House. He reminded that every member who enters Parliament is accountable towards the public as well as the Constitution. He said there are no rituals as such to consecrate this temple of democracy. It is the representatives of the people who come to this temple that will consecrate it. He said their dedication, their service, conduct, thought and behavior will become the life of this temple. Their efforts towards the unity and integrity of India will become the energy that gives life to this temple. He added when each public representative will offer his knowledge, intelligence, education and experience fully here, then this new Parliament House will gain sanctity.

The Prime Minister urged the people to take the pledge to keep India First, to worship only the progress of India and the development of India, every decision should increase the strength of the country and that the country's interest is paramount. He asked everyone to take the pledge that there will be no greater interest for them than national interest. Their concern for the country will be more than their own personal concerns. Nothing will be more important to them than the unity, integrity of the country. Dignity and fulfillment of the constitution of the country will be the biggest goal of their life.

New Parliament Building, Name, Architect, Features, Design

New Parliament Building is an intrinsic part of the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Read all about New Parliament Building Design & its Features for UPSC Exam.

Table of Contents

New Parliament Building

The New Parliament Building, to be built by Tata Projects Ltd., would be constructed next to the current structure during a 22-month period and have a built-up size of 64,500 square meters across four stories. The new structure would feature contributions from artists and sculptors from all around the nation, showing the diversity and elevating it to the status of a “Atmanirbhar Bharat” symbol.

The New Parliament Building is an important topic to learn about and comes under the polity section of UPSC Subject which an important subject in UPSC Syllabus . Students can also go for UPSC Mock Test to get more accuracy in their preparations.

New Parliament Building Location

From Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, the New Parliament Building or Central Vista Project is in place. It consists of the Rajpath plots of land immediately adjacent to North Block, South Block, the Parliament building, and other secretariat buildings for the central government. King George V announced in the Delhi Durbar (a large assembly) in December 1911 that Delhi would replace Calcutta as the capital of India. In celebration of King George V’s coronation, Delhi Durbar was held.

Edwin Lutyens, who was well-known for his unwavering devotion to European Classicism, and Herbert Baker, a well-known architect in South Africa, were tasked with building a new metropolis. Additionally, Herbert Baker designed the Union buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. Baker and Lutyens both contributed to the design of Parliament House. The Chausath Yogini Mandir in Madhya Pradesh served as the model for the Indian Parliament’s architecture. Edwin Lutyens was the designer of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Herbert Baker created The Secretariat, which consists of both the north and south blocks.

New Parliament Building Objective

The New Parliament Building Plan is put forth to accommodate the Parliament, Ministries, and Departments’ current and future space requirements, as well as to offer better public amenities, parking facilities, and other things. The planned redevelopment project is motivated by concerns over fire safety, acoustics, and the deteriorated state of the century-old building.

By July 2022, a new Parliament building will be constructed, and by March 2024, a shared Central Secretariat will be established. The strength of the parliament is anticipated to expand from 545 MPs to 900 seats after this project is finished. The initiative also aims to enhance Central Vista’s beauty to turn it into a top-tier tourism destination.

New Parliament Building Design & Features

The new parliament will be crowned with the national anthem, and its ceiling will feature traditional-style carpeting and fresco paintings similar to those in Rashtrapati Bhawan. In order to preserve some of the qualities of the current parliament, shlokas will be written on the interior walls. As with the current structure, Dholpur stone will serve as the main building material. Red granite might take the place of red sandstone in various interior spaces. Construction will be done with extra care to minimise disruption and protect the environment.

The Lok Sabha will have a seating arrangement of 888 members in the new Parliament House. India currently has 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. Similarly, the Rajya Sabha, which currently has 245 seats in the new Parliament House, will be able to accommodate 384 members. The room designated for it will have seats for 1,272 people when a joint assembly of the two chambers is called at the new Parliament House. Right now, there are just 430 seats available in the Centre Hall where the two Houses convene jointly.

In preparation for a larger Parliament, the new Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers will have more seating (888 and 384 seats, respectively); a 25-year moratorium on raising the state-by-state distribution of seats expires in 2026.

New Parliament Building Major Attraction

The new structure will feature six entrances where “guardian statues depicting auspicious animals” would be on display. Based on their significance in Indian culture, vaastu shastra, and characteristics like intelligence, victory, power, and prosperity, these “auspicious animals” have been picked. Each animal selected to be housed in the structure carries a set of affirmations that promote harmony and well-being.

The gaja (elephant), which stands for knowledge, riches, intellect, and memory, guards the ceremonial entry to the north. The northern direction is connected to Mercury, the source of greater intellect, according to vaastu shastra. The ashva (horse), a symbol of endurance, strength, power, and speed that describes the calibre of governance, guards the southern gate. The garuda (eagle), a symbol of the people’s aspirations, soars at the eastern entrance.

According to vaastu shastra, the rising sun, which symbolizes victory, is connected to the East. Swans, which stand for judgement and wisdom, are shown at the northeastern entrance. The remaining entrances feature the Makara, a mythical aquatic creature made up of parts from various animals, which symbolizes unity in diversity, and the Shardula, a mythical creature thought to be the most powerful living thing, which represents the strength of the nation’s people.

The new structure will include three ceremonial foyers, four galleries for each of the two Houses, six granite statues honouring individuals who contributed to the liberation movement and the creation of the Constitution, as many Indian galleries, and one Constitution gallery.

New Parliament Building Inauguration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s new parliament building on Sunday 28th May, a modern complex which is part of his Hindu nationalist government’s grand plan to give a makeover to the British colonial-era architecture in the nation’s capital.

The inauguration, and the ongoing revamp of the heart of New Delhi based on Indian culture, traditions, and symbols, come a year before parliamentary elections in which Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will pitch its strong Hindu nationalist credentials, and its performance in office over the last decade, to seek a third term.

New Parliament Building Sengol

‘ Sengol ‘, a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu, which was received by India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to represent the transfer of power from the British and was kept in a museum in Allahabad, is now installed in the New Parliament Building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023.

New Parliament Building Architect

The new Parliament House was created by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management, which is managed by architect Bimal Patel. The current Parliament House, a colonial-era structure, was created by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.

New Parliament Building UPSC

The new Parliament building will be a crucial component of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” project since craftsmen and sculptors from all across India will contribute to and highlight the country’s cultural diversity there. Additionally, the new Parliament building will be earthquake-resistant. Students can read all the details related to UPSC by visiting the official website of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching .

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New Parliament Building FAQs

Which is the new parliament building in india.

A Platinum-rated Green Building, our new Sansad Bhavan will be a symbol of India's commitment towards environmental sustainability.

When Central Vista project will be completed?

The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

What is the current status of the new Parliament?

The new parliament building which is a part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, is set to be completed by the end of May 2023 in New Delhi.

What is the status of new parliament building New Delhi?

“Construction of the New Parliament Building is complete now and the new building symbolises the spirit of self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

What is new parliament building called?

The Parliament House (IAST: Sansad Bhavan) in New Delhi is the seat of the Parliament of India. Its houses the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha which represent lower and upper houses respectively in India's bicameral parliament.

What are the features of the new Parliament building?

The new complex will have 888 seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber. Unlike the present parliament building, it will not have a central hall. The Lok Sabha chamber will be able to house 1,272 members in case of a joint session.

What is the size of new parliament building India?

India's new Parliament building—a four-storey-high, grey-and-red sandstone structure spread across an area of 64,500 sq m—has generated employment for around 23,04,095 people, as per the official Central Vista website.

What is Sengol in new Parliament?

The Sengol gets its name from the Tamil word 'semmai', meaning righteousness. The sceptre is a historical symbol of Independence as it signifies the transfer of power from the British to the Indians.

Who inaugurated new parliament building in India?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's new parliament building on Sunday 28th May.

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All You Need to Know About the Incredible New Parliament of India

On May 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to dedicate India's spectacular new Parliament building. On the eve of this historic occasion, let's have a look at the essential aspects of India's new Democratic Emblem.

The power of the Indian democratic system is manifested in our Parliament, which has witnessed many historical milestones and thrived the Indian freedom movement from colonial rule. The current structure functioned as independent India's first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Indian Constitution. Thus, preserving and revitalizing the rich heritage of the Parliament Building is a national priority.

Historical Importance of Parliament:

The construction of the Parliament House began in 1921 and was completed in 1927. It is a Heritage Grade-I building that is nearly 100 years old. The parliamentary activities, as well as the number of individuals working in it and tourists, have grown dramatically throughout the years. There is no trace or documentation of the building's original design. As a result, new constructions and adjustments have been made on the fly. For example, two extra floors built above the outer circular part of the structure in 1956 covered the dome of the Central Hall and altered the original building's appearance. Furthermore, the Jaali window covers have restricted natural light in the halls of the two chambers of Parliament. As a result, it is displaying signs of distress and over-utilization and is unable to satisfy contemporary space, facilities, and technological requirements.

What's the Need for the New Parliament Building?

The well-nigh-century-old structure was progressively becoming apparent to be unable to meet the government's current needs. Keeping this in mind, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha passed resolutions to establish a new Parliament building. PM Modi lay the foundation stone for the new building on December 10, 2020, following the correct protocol. The original edifice could house 543 Lok Sabha members and 250 Rajya Sabha members. The new Parliament Building is capable of accommodating 888 Lok Sabha members and 384 Rajya Sabha members.

The Following are the Most Important Facts Concerning the New Structure of the Parliament of India, that One Should Know:

• The new Parliament is a triangular architectural structure constructed along the lines of the Central Vista structures. It houses the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, the Central Lounge, and the Constitutional Authorities' offices.
• The new Lok Sabha Chamber has been designed after India's National Bird, the Peacock.
• While the new Rajya Sabha Chamber, on the other hand, is reminiscent of the Lotus, India's National Flower.
• Around 800 MP chambers are being established in the renovated Shram Shakti Bhawan. Their construction, which began in April 2022, is expected to be completed in March 2024.
• According to the government's official being published, the newly completed building "reflects various architectural influences from important heritage buildings in India, such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan."
• In the reconstructed Shram Shakti Bhawan, some 800 MP chambers are being built. Their construction, which began in April 2022, is expected to be completed by March 2024.
• The old structure will remain in use. The main architectural strategy is for the two structures to complement one another. According to the government's stated plan, great care will be taken to preserve the old building's historical value.
• The construction covers a total area of 64,500 square meters.
• Efforts are being made to ensure that the visibility of the historic Parliament House is not affected by the construction of the new building. All of the statues in the Parliament Complex will be restored as well.
• Six Committee rooms will be housed in the newly constructed building. There are three similar rooms in the current construction.
• The Council of Ministers will have access to 92 rooms.
• According to the government's official document, two members would be able to sit side by side on each bench in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers in the new facility. Digital systems and touch screens will be installed in each seat.
• There is a provision for a central courtyard that will serve as an open meeting venue for both houses' members. The facility is built to meet intense safety standards.
• The new structure will include a Constitution Hall to commemorate India's democratic legacy. A library, a dining area, and plenty of parking for members are also on the way.
• One of the main attractions of the newly-built Parliament is the Rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems that will be installed in the new structure. The document claims that a 100% UPS power backup will be installed throughout the building.
• The new building was designed by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design and Management Pvt Limited. Tata Projects was awarded the contract to construct the new Parliament building, which would be part of the Centre's Central Vista renovation plans.
• Sansad Bhawan (Parliament House), Reception Office Building, Sansadiya Soudha (Parliament House Annexe), Extension to Parliament House Annexe, and Sansadiya Gyanpeeth (Parliament Library Building) comprise the modern Parliament.

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The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

New parliament: triangular shape reflects sacred geometry in various religions.

The new building, being constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, will come up in front of the existing Parliament House that was built nearly 100 years ago at a cost of Rs 83 lakh at that time and would eventually be turned into a museum.

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Essay on Parliament of India

Students are often asked to write an essay on Parliament of India in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Parliament of India

Introduction.

The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in the country. It consists of two houses: the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the upper house. Its members are elected by the members of State Legislatures.

The Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha, or House of the People, is the lower house. Members are directly elected by citizens of India.

Functioning of the Parliament

The Parliament’s primary function is to make laws. Both houses work together to discuss, debate, and pass legislation.

Importance of Parliament

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250 Words Essay on Parliament of India

The Parliament of India, the supreme legislative body in the country, is an emblem of democratic governance. It is a bicameral establishment, composed of the President, the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), and the Lok Sabha (House of the People).

Composition and Structure

The Rajya Sabha, the upper house, is a permanent body with 245 members serving six-year terms. Its members are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies. The Lok Sabha, the lower house, consists of up to 552 members, serving five-year terms, directly elected by the people of India.

Legislative Functions

The Parliament is vested with the power to make laws on any subject listed in the Union List, and concurrent list in consultation with state legislatures. It also has exclusive power to make laws on matters not enumerated in the Concurrent or State lists.

Financial Functions

The Parliament of India holds the purse strings of the nation. All financial bills originate in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can suggest changes, but cannot reject or amend them.

Control over Executive

Amendment of the constitution.

The Parliament can amend the Constitution, ensuring it remains a dynamic and living document. However, it cannot alter the federal structure of the Constitution.

To conclude, the Parliament of India is a robust institution, reflecting the democratic ethos of the nation, while also being a watchdog of the executive branch, ensuring accountability and transparency.

500 Words Essay on Parliament of India

Structure of the parliament.

The President of India is the head of the Parliament. The Rajya Sabha, or the upper house, comprises 245 members, 12 of whom are nominated by the President for their exceptional contributions in various fields, and the rest are elected by the members of State Legislative Assemblies. The Lok Sabha, or the lower house, consists of up to 552 members, with 530 representing states, 20 representing union territories, and 2 representing the Anglo-Indian community, if the President deems it necessary.

The primary function of the Parliament is legislation. Bills can be introduced in either house (except Money Bills, which can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha). Once a bill is passed by both houses and receives Presidential assent, it becomes law. The Parliament is also responsible for the creation of new states, alteration of boundaries, and changing names of existing states.

Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary committees play a crucial role in the functioning of the Parliament. They allow for detailed scrutiny and discussion on various issues, which is not possible in the full house due to time constraints. There are two types of committees: standing committees, which are permanent, and ad hoc committees, which are temporary and set up for a specific purpose.

Parliamentary Privileges

Members of the Parliament enjoy certain privileges to ensure they can effectively carry out their duties. These include freedom of speech in the Parliament, immunity from any proceedings in any court for anything said or vote given in the Parliament, and exemption from jury service and arrest under civil cases during sessions.

The Parliament of India, as the embodiment of the people’s will, plays a vital role in the democratic governance of the country. It is the platform where laws are made, policies are debated, and the actions of the government are scrutinized. As such, it is a pillar of the world’s largest democracy, reflecting the diversity and plurality of India. The functioning of the Parliament, its structure, and the privileges enjoyed by its members all serve to ensure that it can effectively represent the interests of the Indian people.

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India’s alternative facts: how the government of Narendra Modi invents its own kind of ‘experts’ to legitimise its policies

Lecturer in Politics and Policy, University of East Anglia

Disclosure statement

Anuradha Sajjanhar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of East Anglia provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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Narendra Modi was reelected as India’s prime minister in June for a historic third term. Yet his Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) does not have the privilege of an absolute majority for the first time in a decade. It will head a coalition government that is already rife with disagreement.

The result has called into doubt what many perceived to be an unwavering level of support for the BJP’s core ethos of Hindu nationalism, as well as its claims of national self-reliance and economic growth.

As I have discussed in my recently published book , an important part of the BJP’s strategy over the past 15 years has been to discredit established intellectuals as irrelevant, elite and detached, while at the same time building alternative forms of “credible” knowledge and expertise.

In the run up to the 2009 national elections, for example, the BJP created two entirely new thinktanks called India Foundation and Vivekananda International Foundation . This was, in my opinion, a way to make inroads into New Delhi’s elite, exclusive and primarily left-liberal policy ecosystem.

The BJP lost the elections that year. But it won by a landslide in 2014, and these two thinktanks provided personnel for many positions within the central government.

Under Modi’s leadership, experts have also been systematically replaced with appointed loyalists by dismantling or co-opting advisory committees, universities and established research institutions.

This strategy has, in practice, served to normalise ideas that may otherwise have appeared to be ideologically biased. This was clearly seen during the recent election cycle.

In April, Modi made a speech at an election rally in Banswara, Rajasthan, where he claimed the opposition Congress party wanted to distribute peeople’s wealth to “infiltrators” who are claiming more benefits than they deserve. He was widely seen as referring to India’s Muslim minority.

This stereotype of Muslims “stealing” from the welfare state was then reinforced by appointed experts from Modi’s Economic Advisory Council. The council published a questionable research paper in May arguing that Muslim birthrates are rising much faster than any other demographic.

Read more: Moments of hope: how Indians keep pushing back against the hollowing out of democracy

However, the BJP is not a monolith. The core of the party’s social identity and grassroots base have historically been grounded in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh , a Hindu nationalist paramilitary organisation. But the party has never defined itself in terms of a uniform or cohesive political and economic ideology.

Modi and the BJP are able to draw on support from a wide range of groups across the political spectrum. So, their political communication and policy promises need to straddle both technocratic efficiency and Hindu nationalism. And these appointed experts have helped craft a narrative that combines both.

In recent years, several government ministries have outsourced the development and implementation of policy to thinktanks and global management consulting firms. Whether intentionally or not, these management consultants have been instrumental in promoting the idea that India’s Hindu identity is synonymous with the country’s technological and managerial advancement.

In 2019, for instance, the Modi government hired global accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY) to manage the Kumbh Mela – the largest Hindu spiritual gathering in the world. The firm developed a temporary city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh with luxury tents, AI surveillance, and new transportation infrastructure.

The practice of paying consulting firms to manage events and make policy is now standard practice in many countries, arguably to the detriment of government capacity. But in an ethno-nationalist state like India, I would argue it is deeply symbolic. It combines the Modi government’s national grandstanding of building a technologically advanced “digital India” with its Hindu identity.

Democratic implications

India’s 2024 general election result was not technically a loss for the BJP. But it has been received as such by many. The party lost a significant number of seats in former constituency strongholds.

It lost its seat in Faizabad, the constituency where the party fulfilled the long-awaited desire of the Hindu rightwing to build a temple on the site of a demolished mosque. And the BJP also lost in Banswara , where Modi gave his Islamophobic speech.

Read more: In opening a Hindu temple on the site of a former mosque, Narendra Modi is following an old Hindu nationalist ploy

Data analysis is still revealing the reasons behind voting patterns. But voters reacted positively to what the opposition offered: a commitment to upholding constitutional principles and democratic representation.

It may be naive to think the 2024 election proves that the Indian public are less willing to support the Hindu nationalism that Modi’s government has legitimised. After all, the BJP still won 240 out of the 543 available seats – a giant margin for a single party.

But it does show us that there is still scope for a plurality of political opinions in India’s universities, research organisations and thinktanks.

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BJP-led NDA crosses majority mark in Rajya Sabha after unopposed election of 12 members

The rajya sabha is the upper house of the bicameral parliament of india. it has a maximum membership of 250, of which 238 are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories, while the president can appoint 12 members..

The BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha has risen to 96 following the unopposed election of its nine members, bringing the National Democratic Alliance to a total of 121 seats in the Upper House. Meanwhile, two members from the NDA's allies, including one each from Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP and the Rashtriya Lok Manch, were also elected unopposed. Additionally, the ruling alliance enjoys the backing of six nominated members and one independent member. Meanwhile, the Congress saw one of its members elected, bringing the Opposition's numbers in the Rajya Sabha to 85.

A look at numbers in Rajya Sabha

Total members: 245

Present strength: 237 (8 vacant including 4 of Jammu and Kashmir and 4 Nominated)  Majority mark: 119

• Independents: 02
• Nominated: 06

Who are 12 unopposed elected candidates?

The BJP candidates elected unopposed included Ravneet Singh Bittu from Rajasthan, Manan Kumar Mishra from Bihar, Kiran Choudhry from Haryana, George Kurien from Madhya Pradesh, Dhirya Sheel Patil from Maharashtra, Rajeev Bhattacharjee from Tripura, Mamata Mohanta from Odisha, Mission Ranjan Dass and Rameshwar Teli from Assam. Meanwhile, Congress's Abhishek Manu Singhvi was elected unopposed from Telangana. NCP Ajit Pawar faction's Nitin Patil got elected from Maharashtra and RLM's Upendra Kushwaha was elected to the upper house from Bihar.

ALSO READ:  Kiran Choudhry, BJP leader, elected unopposed in Rajya Sabha bypoll from Haryana

Read all the Breaking News Live on indiatvnews.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from India

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New Parliament building

Topics Covered: Infrastructure.

New Parliament building:

Foundation stone of the new Parliament building.

• This took place nearly a hundred years after the foundation for the existing Parliament was laid by Duke of Connaught on February 12, 1921.

Key Points:

• It is expected that the structure would be completed by 2022, coinciding with 75 years of India’s independence.
• The theme of the new building would celebrate the cultural diversity of the country.
• It would also incorporate regional arts and crafts. Artisans and sculptures from across the country would be employed the complete the new structure making it a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
• In September this year, Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct the new parliament building at cost of Rs 861.90 crore.
• The new building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project.

What is Central Vista project that Supreme Court has halted?

• It is a grand redevelopment project for building what will be the power corridor of India, having a new Parliament building, a common central secretariat and revamped three-km-long Rajpath, from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate.
• The Supreme Court warned the government not to carry out any work on the Central Vista project until it decides on a bunch of 10 petitions challenging the mega redevelopment plan.

Sources: the Hindu.

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Petitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills

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PETITIONS, PAPERS, SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

SPEAKER : There are no petitions or papers—sorry, wrong sheet. There are petitions. The Clerk will read petitions.

• Petition of David Glen on behalf of the Cornwall Park Leaseholders Association requesting that the House introduce legislation to compensate the lessees of residential ground leases for the market value of their improvements if they elect not to renew
• Petition of Miryam Denny requesting that the House require mandatory training and qualifications for people working with, caring for, and supporting the disabled
• Petition of Andrei Moore requesting that the House urge the Government to require Waka Kotahi to provide a safe crossing option for Halswell School on State Highway 75.

SPEAKER : Those petitions are referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers.

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SPEAKER : The bill is set down for second reading. The briefings and the recommendation of the report are set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.

CLERK : Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024–25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill introduction.

SPEAKER : That bill is set down for first reading.

In Pictures

Protests across Indonesia as parliament delays change to election law

Fears of a constitutional crisis grow after the government and the judiciary find themselves on opposing sides..

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in multiple cities across Indonesia to protest against attempted revisions to the country’s election law.

Indonesia’s parliament postponed ratifying changes to the election rules on Thursday as protesters attempted to tear down the gates of the legislature in the capital, Jakarta, following an outcry over the legislation seen to strengthen the political influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo.

The plenary session to pass the changes was delayed due to a lack of a quorum, legislator Habiburokhman told reporters outside the parliament building.

It is unclear if parliament will reconvene to pass the law before the registration for regional elections opens next Tuesday.

The parliament planned to ratify changes that would have reversed a ruling by the constitutional court earlier this week. They would have blocked a vocal government critic in the race for the influential post of Jakarta governor and also paved the way for Widodo’s youngest son to run in elections in Java in November.

The power struggle between the parliament and the judiciary comes amid a week of dramatic political developments in the world’s third-largest democracy and in the final stretch of the president’s second term.

Widodo downplayed the concerns, saying on Wednesday the court ruling and parliamentary deliberations were part of standard “checks and balances”.

More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered on Thursday outside the parliament building and across multiple cities in Java, some holding banners accusing the president, known as Jokowi, of destroying democracy. Authorities fired tear gas at demonstrators in Semarang, according to footage from Kompas TV.

“This is the peak of my disdain,” said Afif Sidik, a 29-year-old teacher who joined the protest outside parliament.

“This is a republic. It’s a democracy, but if its leadership is decided by one person or an oligarch, we can’t accept that.”

Legal experts and political analysts have described the power struggle as bordering on a constitutional crisis.

Analyst Titi Anggraini characterised the manoeuvre as “constitutional insubordination”.

The street protests follow a wave of criticism online, with blue posters featuring the words “Emergency Warning” above Indonesia’s national bird, the Javan hawk-eagle proliferating on social media.

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Full Transcript of Kamala Harris’s Democratic Convention Speech

The vice president’s remarks lasted roughly 35 minutes on the final night of the convention in Chicago.

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By The New York Times

• Aug. 23, 2024

This is a transcript of Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech on Thursday night in which she formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency.

OK, let’s get to business. Let’s get to business. All right.

So, let me start by thanking my most incredible husband, Doug. For being an incredible partner to me, an incredible father to Cole and Ella, and happy anniversary, Dougie. I love you so very much.

To our president, Joe Biden. When I think about the path that we have traveled together, Joe, I am filled with gratitude. Your record is extraordinary, as history will show, and your character is inspiring. And Doug and I love you and Jill, and are forever thankful to you both.

And to Coach Tim Walz. You are going to be an incredible vice president. And to the delegates and everyone who has put your faith in our campaign, your support is humbling.

So, America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was, no doubt, unexpected. But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys. So, my mother, our mother, Shyamala Harris, had one of her own. And I miss her every day, and especially right now. And I know she’s looking down smiling. I know that.

So, my mother was 19 when she crossed the world alone, traveling from India to California with an unshakable dream to be the scientist who would cure breast cancer.

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