Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the Parliament on the opening day of the five-day special session of Parliament and lauded India’s achievements under various governments in the 75 years of its independence. The Prime Minister’s address came amid huge suspense over the agenda of the special session with speculations that the government may use the session to push some contentious decisions ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

During his roughly hour-long address in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister paid rich tributes to those who toiled to build the old parliament building and said that the structure will continue to inspire generations to come. From Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to BR Ambedkar and Indira Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the PM’s address had a mention of noteworthy moments witnessed by the Parliament.

Also Read: Parliament Special Session Live Updates

Here are some of the top quotes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address during special session of Parliament:

G20’s success belongs to India’s 140 crore citizens: PM Modi in Parliament

The Prime Minister, in his address during the special session of Parliament, said the success of the G20 Summit did not belong to one party or individual alone, but to the 140 crore citizens of the country. “It is a matter for all of us to celebrate,” he said.

PM Modi invokes Pandit Nehru, remembers his ‘stroke of midnight’ speech

During his address in the Parliament, PM Modi also talked about the historic moments that the old building of the Parliament stood witness to and recalled how it was here that Jawaharlal Nehru, the first PM of the country, gave his ‘stroke of midnight’ speech which laid the foundation for India as an independent country. He also reminisced the time when Bhagat Singh’s act of defiance against the British rule acted as an eye-opener.

Also Read: WATCH: PM Modi gets emotional reminiscing ‘platform to Parliament’ journey

Leaving old Parliament an emotional moment: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi further said that leaving the old Parliament building was an “emotional” moment and said it was like leaving an old home for a new one. Earlier, he had called the old building a symbol of British colonialism and said that the sweat and hard work of Indians had gone into constructing it. The House proceedings will move into the New Parliament building from Tuesday.

PM Modi reminisces ‘platform to Parliament’ journey

The Prime Minister, while lauding the power of parliamentary democracy, said that he was overwhelmed by the love and affection that he received from the people of the country. “When I first entered this building (Parliament) as an MP, I bowed down and honoured the temple of democracy. It was an emotional moment for me. I could have never imagined that a child belonging to a poor family, living on the railway platform would ever be able to enter the Parliament. I never imagined that I would get so much love from people.”

Parliament attack an attack on India’s soul

The Prime Minister, while paying tribute to the security and police personnel who laid down their lives while trying to protect the Parliament, termed the 2001 attack as an attack on the soul of the country. “There was a terror attack (on the Parliament). This was not an attack on a building. In a way, it was an attack on the mother of democracy, on our living soul. The country can never forget that incident. I also bow before those who took bullets to their chest to protect the Parliament and all its members, while fighting the terrorists,” the PM said.