"This is an immortal moment in India's development journey. A gift to the people as they celebrate the Amruth Mahotsav of freedom. A symbol of the realization of every freedom fighter's dream. This is not just a building, but the dream and hope of 140 crore Indians. This building will witness the sunrise of independent India, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dedicating the new Parliament building to the nation. ‘This building will witness the sunrise of self-reliant India’ is a significant statement. The reason is simple: after 75 years of independence, India needs to shed all the symbols and images of imperialism and rely on its unique traditions and capabilities.

The new Parliament building built at a cost of 1200 crores is a declaration of India's self-sufficiency. India is brighter with the opening of this temple. When the Parliament building was attacked by Islamic terrorists in 2001, the country had to hide its face in shame. December 13, 2001, is a day that will never be forgotten in the history of independent India. Nine people were killed in an attack by Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed Chawar. A secure Parliament building with triple foolproof security has been a requirement raised by Indian intelligence agencies ever since. Moreover, earthquake-prone Delhi has often experienced strong tremors.

It was in this context that Parliament reform was discussed during the UPA regime in 2012. But the UPA government could not fulfil the task of building construction. In 2014, when Narendra Modi came to power, the idea of a safe parliament building was revived. With the outline of the Prime Minister's Central Vista project in 2019, the way was also paved for the construction of the Parliament building. Controversies followed. The big question was why spend 1200 crores on a building in a country of starving people? But the questioners also forget that India today is not a starving country but a growing economic and military power in the world. India has overtaken China in terms of GDP and has now overtaken Britain. The economic status of Britain, which once ruled over India, is now only behind India. The destinies of modern and developed India should be decided not in a Parliament building built by the British for their convenience in 1921.

The new building has been built with all kinds of security to last for 150 years with innovative systems that combine modern digital technologies and possibilities of artificial intelligence.

The new halls have been set up, keeping in mind the number of seats to be increased in case of a re-determination of assembly seats after 2026. At midnight on 14 August 1947, the golden sceptre used to symbolize the handover of power to India was installed in the new Parliament building as a reminder of dharma and administrative justice. The sceptre will continue to inspire the MPs forever.

The new Parliament building is a building that India should be proud of. The main objection raised by the opposition was that the President was not invited to the inauguration of the temple. But there are no legal issues arising from the Prime Minister's inauguration. Moreover, the new Parliament House, part of the Prime Minister's dream project, Central Vista, is a realization of his vision. It is only natural that his cabinet and party appointed him as the head of government to open it.

(Writer is former President of FOKANA and Chairman of MBN Foundation (USA)