NEW DELHI: The selfie came before the speeches. Most in officially assigned places, but some also in the well, where significant action has developed in recent years.
As MPs of all colors gathered to bid farewell to the century-old building that houses the current Parliament, it was a day of mixed emotions – some excitement, a twinge of sadness at leaving the familiar, where heaps of memories have accumulated, and also considerable anxiety over what the transition is likely to bring.
In both chambers, MPs took photos, some even obliged the residents of the press gallery. Similar scenes played out inside the Central Hall, where there were cups of tea, buttered toast and samosa they passed a discussion on whether the chamber would remain in operation after the formal move to the new parliament building.
The day began awkwardly in the Lok Sabha, with the national anthem played twice due to a “technical glitch” that Speaker Om Birla said he would investigate – once before the House opened and the second time just minutes later, after Birla walked in. and proceedings were formally commenced.
AFTERNOON Narendra Modi then he took center stage and listed the highs and lows of parliament in its 75-year history, drawing a rare standing ovation from the opposition benches as he praised the efforts of marshals and staff. The usually reticent CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also seen participating vigorously, if only to encourage colleague Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury when he intervened in the discussion. Since Modi did not mention Rajiv Gandhi at all, Sonia seemed delighted that Chowdhury corrected the omission, prompting him to cite the achievements of both the former prime minister and the UPA government.
Rajya Sabhaon the other hand, Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien’s speech was cut short abruptly and TDP and CPI MPs said they could not participate in the discussion.
As MPs of all colors gathered to bid farewell to the century-old building that houses the current Parliament, it was a day of mixed emotions – some excitement, a twinge of sadness at leaving the familiar, where heaps of memories have accumulated, and also considerable anxiety over what the transition is likely to bring.
In both chambers, MPs took photos, some even obliged the residents of the press gallery. Similar scenes played out inside the Central Hall, where there were cups of tea, buttered toast and samosa they passed a discussion on whether the chamber would remain in operation after the formal move to the new parliament building.
The day began awkwardly in the Lok Sabha, with the national anthem played twice due to a “technical glitch” that Speaker Om Birla said he would investigate – once before the House opened and the second time just minutes later, after Birla walked in. and proceedings were formally commenced.
AFTERNOON Narendra Modi then he took center stage and listed the highs and lows of parliament in its 75-year history, drawing a rare standing ovation from the opposition benches as he praised the efforts of marshals and staff. The usually reticent CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also seen participating vigorously, if only to encourage colleague Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury when he intervened in the discussion. Since Modi did not mention Rajiv Gandhi at all, Sonia seemed delighted that Chowdhury corrected the omission, prompting him to cite the achievements of both the former prime minister and the UPA government.
Rajya Sabhaon the other hand, Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien’s speech was cut short abruptly and TDP and CPI MPs said they could not participate in the discussion.
