Parliament inauguration Highlights: PM Modi dedicates new Parliament to nation, says it reflects hopes and aspirations of New India

– Received by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1945, it symbolises the transfer of power from the British Raj.

– The ‘Sengol’, has its roots in Tamil culture and the word means “full of wealth”.

– It dates back to the Chola dynasty when such sceptres were used in the coronation of kings. It served as a ceremonial spear and was considered a sacred symbol of authority, representing the transfer of power from one ruler to the next. The one accorded the ‘Sengol’ is expected to impart a just and impartial rule.

– The government says the Sengol's installation in the new Parliament is an attempt to link India's cultural traditions with our modernity.

11.30 AM: Arrival of guests and dignitaries.

12.00 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives. Ceremony begins with the National Anthem.

12.10 PM: Speech by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, likely to read out messages from President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

12.17 PM: Screening of two short films.

12.38 PM: Speech by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha (unlikely to attend). Speech by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

1.05 PM: Release of Rs 75 coin and a commemorative stamp by the Prime Minister.

1.10 PM: Speech by PM Narendra Modi.

2.00 PM: Ceremony concludes.

The first leg of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building has concluded with a multi-faith prayer meeting in the Parliament Complex. The second leg of the ceremony is scheduled to kick off at 12 noon in the Lok Sabha.

The multi-faith prayer ceremony in the Parliament premises has concluded. The next leg of the ceremony will begin with the national anthem at 12 noon.

Sanaatan traditions and vaastu shastra have been the guiding principles of the nearly 5,000 pieces of art showcased around the new building. These art pieces include paintings, decorative art, wall panels, stone sculptures and metal objects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers and chief ministers of different states attend a multi-faith prayer meeting underway at the new Parliament building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday formally inaugurated the new Parliament building after installing the historic 'Sengol' in the Lok Sabha.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1662648578265976832

Prime Minister Narendra Modi installed the historic Sengol near the Lok Sabha Speaker's chair in the new Parliament building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi installed the Sengol sceptre at the new Parliament House. He was escorted by the Adheenam seers. PM installed the sceptre after offering prayers. A puja ceremony ahead of the formal inauguration of the new Parliament building is underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers to Sengol and will now instal it at the Parliament House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Parliament premises for the inauguration of the new Parliament building at 7.30 AM. The official ceremony has begun. Prime Minister Modi paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. He is now attending a puja outside the new Parliament complex.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the new Parliament building where the ceremony to inaugurate the new Parliament House will begin with an hour-long puja. He will then instal the Sengol at the new Parliament House.

“It is a proud moment for all of us today that after Independence, the world's oldest and largest democracy is getting a new Parliament that is made in the country,” Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on the new Parliament house inauguration ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive at the Parliament House premises shortly. The ceremony will begin with a puja which will continue for about an hour. After the puja, the PM will receive the 'Sengol' and install it in the new Parliament.

“It's a historic day when the PM will dedicate to the nation a new and modern Parliament building. I express my gratitude to PM for fulfilling the wishes of all Indians. We should be proud of this moment,” said Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

The ceremony to inaugurate the new Parliament building will begin at 7.30 AM with a puja and havan, following which the Sengol will be installed in the Parliament. Prime MInister Narendra Modi will arrive at the Parliament premises at 7.15 AM. He will address Parliament at around 1 PM.

Security has been heightened at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in view of the protesting wrestlers' proposed march towards the new Parliament House. The wrestlers, who have been demanding the arrest of WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have decided to hold a women's Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament today.

Adheenam seers who arrived in the capital on Saturday from different mutts across Tamil Nadu have left for the Parliament building to attend the inaugural ceremony. “Today is a very important day for India as the new Parliament building will be inaugurated today. The 'Sengol' will be installed near the Speaker's chair. The PM honoured all the Adheenams yesterday,” 18th pontiff of Vellakuruchi Adheenam from Tamil Nadu said today.

Security has been tightened near the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border areas. Khap panchayat leaders, farmers plan to join protesting wrestlers' march to new Parliament house in Delhi today. “Delhi police are prepared for such situations. We have enough force to deploy. Last time the border was closed for months because of the protesters (farmers' protests). We have prepared our forces so that such situations don't arise again. We will convince the protesters to return,” DCP East Delhi Amrutha Gugulot said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared a video of the new Parliament building, offering a glimpse of its magnificence. “The new Parliament building will make every Indian proud. This video offers a glimpse of this iconic building,” he said sharing the video.

The new building has several new facilities like biometrics for ease of voting, digital language interpretation or translation systems, and programmable microphones. It has also been reported that the interiors of the halls will be fitted with virtual sound simulations to set the right levels of reverberation and limit echoes.

At least 20 Opposition parties have said they are boycotting the event over demands that the inauguration be done at the hands of President Droupadi Murmu instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As many as 25 parties, a majority of them from the NDA, have confirmed their presence at the event.

The new Parliament building, which is located right next to the existing Parliament House, can accommodate 888 parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha and 300 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. The old Parliament House had the capacity to accommodate 543 members in the Lok Sabha and 250 parliamentarians in the Rajya Sabha.

The new Parliament has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore as part of the Central Vista project. The project also includes a joint Central Secretariat, revamp of the Rajpath, a new residence for the Prime Minister, a new Prime Minister’s Office as well as a new Vice President’s enclave.

The Delhi Police has made adequate security arrangments in view of the inauguration ceremony. Police personnel have installed barricading at the Tikri and Singhu border areas ahead of the planned march by protesting wrestlers towards the new Parliament. Khap Panchayat leaders, farmers are said to join protesting wrestlers who have been demanding action against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

As per a traffic advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police department on Saturday, the New Delhi district will be treated as a controlled area and only public transport vehicles, civil service aspirants, bonafide residents, labelled and emergency vehicles will be allowed to ply in the New Delhi district.

The new Parliament building has been designed by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management under architect Bimal Patel. The new structure – set to be inaugurated today – has been built by Tata Projects Ltd.

Spread across two shifts over seven hours, the inauguration ceremony will begin with a havan, puja and multi-religion prayers at around 7.15 AM. At around 9 AM, the Sengol will be placed in Parliament by the Prime Minister followed by a prayer ceremony. The second part of the ceremony will begin with the national anthem at 12 noon followed by a readout of messages from President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The ceremony will also wintess the screening of two short films, the release of Rs 75 coin and stamp and addresses by dignitaries. The event will conclude at around 2 PM following a speech by PM Modi.

A day ahead of the inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Adheenam seers from Tamil Nadu at his Delhi residence. The seers handed over the Sengol to the PM who will instal it in the Parliament today. 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. India's first PM, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, accepted the Sengol at around 10:45 pm on August 14, 1947, through the Adhinam of Tamil Nadu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today inaugurate the new Parliament building, dubbed as a symbol of a self-reliant India (Atma Nirbhar Bharat) today. The event will witness the presence of several dignitaries, religious leaders and eminent personalities.