Laying the foundation stone of the new parliament building on Thursday, prime minister Narendra Modi said it 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’ on 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 Indian-ness. 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.
He recalled the moment when he entered the parliament house as an MP for the first time in 2014, when he was elected the prime minister. He said that when he entered it for the first time, he bowed his head and saluted this temple of democracy, before stepping into it.
Modi remarked that many new things are being done in the new parliament house that will increase the efficiency of the MPs and modernise 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 an ‘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 PM said 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.
He 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.
Modi 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 PM urged the people to remember that it is their responsibility 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 behaviour 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.
He 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.
