The old Indian Parliament building, a witness to landmark moments, retires as Samvidhan Sadan

After 75 years of India's independence, on September 19, the Indian Parliament has officially moved to its new state-of-the-art building located right next door. This day marks the end of proceedings in the iconic circular Lutyens building, which has long stood as a symbol of India's journey towards independence and its subsequent growth as a Democratic Republic.

Throughout its storied existence, the Lutyens building has borne witness to a multitude of significant milestones in India's history. From the nation's inception in 1947, when a young India embarked on a 'tryst with destiny,' to the tumultuous events that followed, including both triumphs and challenges. It has been a silent observer of the rise and fall of various governments, the passage of numerous important bills, and even horrifying attacks.

As India stands at this juncture, bidding farewell to the old and embracing the new, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the glory of the old Parliament will continue to grace the country as the Samvidhan Sadan (Constitution Museum, of sorts).

This occasion gives us a chance to look back on the Parliament Building through the ages as a 'living building.'

Central Assembly bombing, 1929

• Two years after the commissioning of the building in 1927, in 1929, Indian HSRA revolutionaries Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw non-lethal smoke bombs into the Central Assembly Building (as it was called then) during a British colonial legislative session.
• They sought to protest repressive colonial laws and highlight the struggle for Indian independence.
• This act led to their arrest, and they became iconic figures in India's fight for freedom.

The constituent assembly

• Tasked with the job of framing the Indian Constitution, the Constituent Assembly held its meetings in this very Parliament building.
• Led by Dr BR Ambedkar, these gatherings in the Central Hall, which took place from 1947 to 1949, were the base of drafting the Indian Constitution.
• The Assembly's members debated and formulated the constitution's framework, enshrining principles of democracy, justice, and fundamental rights that continue to shape modern India.

'At the stroke of the mid-night hour,' 1947

• It was in this very building that India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech on the midnight of August 14-15, 1947, marking India's independence from British rule.

• In this historic address, he celebrated the culmination of years of struggle and the birth of a free nation.

• The speech's significance lies in its eloquent articulation of India's commitment to democracy, secularism, and social justice, setting the vision for the newly independent nation and inspiring generations to come.

The midnight session, 1969

• The session of July 21, 1969, stands as a historic moment in the Indian Parliament's history when the proceedings extended past midnight to mark the nationalization of 14 major private banks.
• During this session, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announced the government's takeover of these banks, a significant move in India's economic reform, after which the state's growing role in the financial sector shot up.

The landmark budget

• The 1991 budget was a historic turning point that marked the beginning of economic liberalization after decades of economic stagnation and the drying up of foreign reserves.
• Presented by then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh in this very building, it aimed to dismantle the socialist economic policies of the past by reducing trade barriers, opening up the Indian economy to foreign investment, and initiating privatization efforts.
• This shift towards liberalization set the stage for India's rapid economic growth in the subsequent decades.

Parliament attack, 2001

• On December 13, 2001, the Indian nation was shocked to witness an act of terrorism rocking the country's democracy.
• Armed terrorists affiliated with Lashkar and Jaish stormed the Parliament building, resulting in a fierce gun battle with security forces.
• The attack claimed the lives of several security personnel and left the nation in shock. The event led to a ramping up of the security of India's strategic assets.

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With the advent of the Amrit Kaal, the new Parliament building is set to assume the role that its predecessor has faithfully fulfilled. As this transition unfolds, Indians will be hopeful that the venerable old Parliament building will persist in its capacity to motivate and remind us of the significance of our hard-won independence and the enduring principles enshrined in our constitution.

The Samvidhan Sadan, as the building will be known henceforth, may continue to shine as a beacon of democratic ideals, preserving and upholding the values that have guided our nation throughout its journey.