New parliament building: PM releases commemorative postal stamps and coins

Catch updates on the new Parliament building inauguration here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building on Sunday amid a boycott by several Opposition parties which insist that President Draupadi Murmu as head of the state should do the honours. The new building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. 

Earlier on Saturday, PM met Adheenams (priests) who handed over the sacred sceptre, 'Sengol' to him on the eve of the inauguration of the new Parliament building. After meeting the Adheenams, PM Modi said that he felt very blessed to welcome the priests at his residence.

At the inauguration of the new Parliament building, PM Modi installed the sacred "Sengol" in the Parliament House.

Post installation of the Sengol, PM Modi received blessings from seers of different Adheenams from Tamil Nadu after the installation of the 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building in Delhi. Adheenams are ancient Saivite maths. There were originally 19 of them all over Tamilnadu. They are devoted to Lord Siva.

PM Modi along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Cabinet ministers attended a 'Sarv-dharma' prayer ceremony being held at the new Parliament building.

PM Modi honoured the workers who helped in the construction of the new Parliament building.

During the inauguration ceremony, Union home minister Amit Shah said that he considers himself ‘fortunate’ to have been a public representative in both Parliament buildings – existing and upcoming.

Meanwhile, members of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee stopped at the Ambala border. They had come out from Amritsar yesterday to participate in women wrestlers' Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament. Protesting wrestlers along with their supporters jumped over the police barricades and tried to march towards the newly constructed Parliament building. However, they were stopped by the police, deployed in large numbers, according to media reports.

New Delhi is being treated as a controlled area today which means that only specific movement of vehicles will be allowed, which includes public transport, civil services aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled vehicles and emergency vehicles.

Second phase of inaugural event 

PM Modi's convoy and delegates arrived at the new Parliament for the second leg of the inaugural event. The speaker welcomed the PM after which everyone rose for the National Anthem.  

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said in the new Parliament, "This day is an important milestone as it will prove to be a source of inspiration in the Amritkaal."

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman read the Vice President's message in the Parliament after which President Droupadi Murmu's message was read out.

"I am very happy that PM Modi is inaugurating the new Parliament," President said in her message.

dPM Modi released commemorative postal stamps and coins on the occasion and addresses delegates in the new Parliament. He said, "In every country's development, there are moments like these which become historic. When India is celebrating 'Azadi ka Amrit Kaal', the people of India have gifted its democracy a new Parliament as a gift."

"The new Parliament isn't just a building, it is the symbol of the aspiration of the 140 cr people of India. It gives a message to the world about India's determination," he added.

He further said that this new Parliament will become witness to the rise of a self-reliant India.

New Parliament building

The new Parliament building will enable 888 members to sit in the Lok Sabha.

In the present building of the Parliament, there is a provision for the sitting of 543 Members in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha.

Keeping in view the future requirements, arrangements have been made for a meeting of 888 members in the Lok Sabha while 384 members in the Rajya Sabha in the newly constructed building of the Parliament. The joint session of both Houses will be held in the Lok Sabha Chamber.