Prime minister Narendra Modi on the first day of five-day special session of Parliament said that the old Parliament building will always inspire generations “as we move to the new building on Tuesday (Sept 19)”.

“We will move to the new Parliament building tomorrow, but this old building will always inspire the generations to come,” he said in his address in the Lok Sabha.

He said that it is an emotional moment to bid goodbye to this building as there are many bitter-sweet memories which have been associated with the old Parliament building.

PM Modi remembers his first time in Parliament

Recalling his first day in Parliament in 2014, he said, “First time when I entered the Parliament as an MP, I bowed my head down and it was an emotional moment.”

“I had never imagined that a man who spent his life on the railway platform would become the prime minister of the country, but this is the strength of Indian democracy,”  he said.

He also said that all of us are saying goodbye to this historic building.

Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’

While delivering his last speech in the old Parliament House, PM Modi said that the echo of nation's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's iconic ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech will always resound and continue to inspire the generations of future people's representatives.

Recounting the 75 years of Parliament, the Modi said that during this period, around 7,500 MPs including 600 women MPs have represented the country during this period.

Nehru, during his address to the nation on August 15, 1947, had said that, “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”

“Today is an occasion to recollect and reminisce the Parliamentary journey of 75 years of India. We might be shifting to the new building but this building will keep on inspiring the coming generation as it is a golden chapter of the journey of Indian democracy,” Modi said.

“India will always feel pride for the inclusion of the African Union in G20 during its presidency,” he added, while referring to the recently concluded Delhi G20 summit.

“Today the world sees India as it's friend and in the G20 summit, the country emerged as a ‘Vishwa Mitra’,” he said.

He said that the inclusive atmosphere of the House has kept manifesting the aspirations of the people with full power.

“In the 75 years, the biggest achievement has been the continuously growing trust of the common citizen in their Parliament.”

History of the old Parliament House

“Before Independence, this House was the place for the Imperial Legislative Council. After Independence, this gained the identity of Parliament House. It is true that the decision to construct this building was taken by foreign rulers but we can never forget and can proudly say that the toil, the hard work and the money that went into the construction was that of my countrymen,” PM Modi said in his address.

He also said that in the last 75 years, many decisions have taken place in this House (old Parliament Building).

“We (MPs) of the Parliament are like family members. MPs have always fulfilled their responsibilities despite health issues. Some came in wheelchairs, some attended the proceeding after surgery...Even during the pandemic, MPs continued working for the country,” Modi said.

“It is time to remember inspirational moments associated with this Parliament building before we move to new premises,” he added.

(Source: IANS)

-Edited for style

For more such updates and news on the go, follow us on

Instagram | YouTube | Facebook