In a poignant farewell to the old Parliament Building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid homage to Jawaharlal Nehru’s historic ‘A tryst with destiny’ address, invoking its enduring inspiration for the nation’s elected representatives. The Prime Minister, while tracing the eight-decade journey of this iconic structure, emphasized the resonance of Nehru’s iconic words spoken on August 15, 1947: “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”
Highlighting the building’s rich history, Prime Minister Modi recalled the words of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who once remarked, “Governments will come and go, but this country will stay.” He underscored the pivotal role the old Parliament Building has played in the evolution of India’s governance.
Today marked the concluding day of parliamentary proceedings at the old edifice, as the Parliament convened for a special five-day session, coinciding with the transition to the new Parliament Building. Prime Minister Modi’s address served as a tribute to past Presidents, Prime Ministers, and all those who have contributed to the monumental journey of India’s Parliament.
As the nation bids farewell to this historic structure, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that although the proceedings will shift to a new building, the old Parliament Building will forever serve as a source of inspiration for future generations.
