Heart of democracy beats in a new home

There are a few moments in every nation's history that are immortalised. Some dates become the indelible signature on the face of time. May 28, 2023 is one such day.

The world's largest democracy moved to a new home on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi threw open the doors of a sprawling new Parliament with state-of-the-art facilities and increased seating for lawmakers, marking a historic day in independent India's legislative history.

Multi-faith prayers, a homam or holy ritual, and the installation of a ceremonial sceptre, or Sengol, comprised the hours-long ceremony that ended in the afternoon with an address by the Prime Minister to all members of Parliament.

"There are few moments in every nation's history that are immortalised. Some dates are like immortal signatures on the face of time and 28th of May, 2023 is one such day. The people of India have given themselves a gift for the Amrit Mahotsav," Modi said in the newly inaugurated Lok Sabha.

The ceremony, however, was boycotted by 22 Opposition parties that had demanded the inauguration be done by the President as the ceremonial head of Parliament, rather than by the Prime Minister.

The new 64,500 sq metre, four-storey complex, built at a cost of 971 crore, takes over from the iconic circular building that was inaugurated in 1927 to function as the legislature of a British India, before housing independent India's first lawmakers. But in recent years, the colonial-era structure showed signs of wear, and space was increasingly cramped, even for important legislative business.

The grandiose new building housing a Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, a library and a Constitution Hall apart from offices will give fresh energy and strength to the world's largest democracy, the PM said.