It will match the needs and aspirations of ‘New India’ in the 75th anniversary of independence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the new building 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.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the coexistence of the old and the new building.

“Old Parliament building gave a new direction to India after independence. The new building will be a witness to the building of Aatmanirbhar Bhaarat. In the old building, work to fulfill the necessities of the nation was done. In the new building, ambitions of India of the 21st century will be realized,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the new parliament building, to be completed by 2022, will match the needs and aspirations of ‘New India’ in the 75th anniversary of independence.

Further, the Prime Minister said that this day is a milestone in India's democratic history, filled with the idea of ‘Indianness’. He added that the start of the construction of the 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 purer than the new building of our Parliament witnessing when India celebrates 75 years of its independence.

The Prime Minister remarked 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.

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. He 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.

Recalling the moment when he entered the Parliament House for the first time in 2014 as the Member of Parliament, the Prime Minister said, “I can never forget the moment in my life when I had the opportunity to come to Parliament House for the first time in 2014 as an MP. Then before stepping into this temple of democracy, I had bowed my head and saluted this temple of democracy.”

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister 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.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri said, “In the last 6 yrs PM Modi laid the foundation of a modern, strong, prosperous & self-reliant India with the inclusion of our proud history. In this continuation, today is a very important day.”