Patna:

Condemning the remarks of Congress leader Jairam Ramesh over the new Parliament building, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ravishankar Prasad on Saturday said that the new building is made in India in the true sense and that the Rajya Sabha MP of the grand old party has no right to insult it. 

“The new Parliament building is made in India in the true sense…You have no right to insult the Parliament by saying all this…I condemn this statement on behalf of the party,” Prasad said. 

The BJP leader’s reaction came after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed the new Parliament building and termed it “Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot”.

The Congress leader, on Saturday, shared a post on the social media site, X, and said that he witnessed the death of ‘confabulations’ and ‘conversations’- both inside the two Houses and in the lobbies.

“The new Parliament building launched with so much hype actually realises the PM’s objectives very well. It should be called the Modi Multiplex or Modi Marriot. After four days, what I saw was the death of confabulations and conversations—both inside the two Houses and in the lobbies,” he said.

“If architecture can kill democracy, the PM has already succeeded even without rewriting the Constitution,” he added.  

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong pitch for the women’s reservation bill in his opening speech in the new Parliament. Declaring himself “chosen by God for this pious task”, the Prime Minister called for increased focus on women-led development and praised the bill, which was cleared late last evening by the union cabinet and tabled this afternoon. “The world understands that only talking of women(-led) development is not enough… this is a positive step taken on this front.”

The PM also seized the moment to take a swipe at the opposition, stating previous governments – an unstated reference to Congress-led governments that preceded his – failed to clear this bill.

“Parliament has tried (to pass the bill) in the past too… there have been discussions around women’s reservations for years. Can say with pride we have scripted history,” the PM told Parliament.

“The bill was tabled multiple times in Atalji‘s (the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) tenure… (now) God has chosen me for this pious task,” the PM declared amid criticism his government delayed passing this bill till now in anticipation of an image boost before next year’s general election.

READ |Women’s Reservation Bill: PM Calls It “Agni Pareeksha For MPs”

The Prime Minister had earlier also said passing the bill – tabled today by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal – will be an “agni pareeksha“, or trial by fire, for MPs.

The Women’s Reservation Bill

The bill proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament and state legislatures.

The Lok Sabha will discuss the bill on Wednesday and the Rajya Sabha will debate it on Thursday.

Differences of opinion over a quota for women within that reserved for SC and ST communities had prevented the bill from clearing Parliament despite having been cleared by the Rajya Sabha in 2010.

The bill then lapsed since it was not taken up by the Lok Sabha within the specified time.

This time around, though, given the Bharatiya Janata Party’s brute majority in the Lok Sabha and support from allies in the Rajya Sabha, the bill is on the verge of becoming law.

READ | Women’s Quota Only By 2029? Exclusive Details Of New Bill

However, the quota may not come into force before 2029, since it will rely on data from a census that has not yet been conducted and a delimitation, or redrawing of constituencies, exercise.

The latter will only take place in 2027 – after the next census.

“It Is Ours”, Says Congress

Ex-Congress boss Sonia Gandhi claimed the bill on behalf of our party and called it “ours”. The Congress also said it welcomed the re-introduction of a bill first tabled its by government.

“It is ours, apna hai,” Mrs Gandhi told reporters.

“I Apologise”, Says PM

Meanwhile, claiming the spirit of a new start in the new Parliament building, the Prime Minister in his speech also offered “apologies… to someone we have hurt intentionally or unintentionally”.

“Samvatsari (a Jain festival) is celebrated today… this is a wonderful tradition. Today is the day we can say ‘micchami dukkadam‘… this gives us the chance to apologise to someone we hurt intentionally or unintentionally. I want to say ‘micchami dukkadam‘ to all Members of Parliament and people of India.”

New Delhi:

Parliamentarians will be welcomed into the new Parliament building tomorrow with a special hamper. The special session of Parliament began today at the old premises and will move to the revamped complex tomorrow.

The hamper comprises a jute bag containing a copy of the Constitution, a stamp, and a commemorative coin. The names of the MPs are inscribed on the jute bags.

Parliament proceedings will move to the new building tomorrow. The old building has witnessed some historic events, including the adoption of the Constitution. It was completed in 1927 and is now 96 years old. Over the years, it was found to be inadequate for present-day requirements.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to “every brick” of the old building in his speech in Lok Sabha and said that the MPs will enter the new building with “new hope and confidence”.

The new Parliament building was inaugurated by PM Modi this May.

The new complex can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber. For a joint sitting of both the Houses, 1,280 MPs can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber.

The triangular-shaped four-storeyed building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. It has three main gates – Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar – and separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

A view of new Parliament House Complex in New Delhi
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

MPs to move to new Parliament on Tuesday, Opposition asks for Women’s Bill

More than three months after the new Parliament House was inaugurated, Members of Parliament will move into the building on Tuesday, the second day of the special session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi informed floor leaders of various political parties about the move at an all-party meeting convened by the governmenton the eve of the Special Session of Parliament, which is to be held between September 18 and 22.

Army jawan on leave abducted and murdered in Manipur

An Indian Army jawan was abducted and killed while he was on leave in Manipur. A Defence source said that the body of Serto Thangthang Kom, 41, was found on September 17 morning at Khuningthek Village East of Mongjam under Sogolmang police station in Imphal East.

Congress is ready to fight, Mallikarjun Kharge tells party leaders

The people of the country want change and the Congress will be ready for the battle, the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) said in a resolution on Sunday after two days of extensive deliberations in Hyderabad. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stressed on unity and organisational discipline, and urged his party colleagues to set aside personal differences to take on their adversaries with full might in the upcoming Assembly as well as Lok Sabha elections.

Santiniketan finds a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage list

Santiniketan, a town located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, set up by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on September 17 made it to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Santiniketan which means ‘abode of peace’ started taking shape in 1901, and it was this place Tagore later put up the foundations of Visva Bharati University.

Heavy rain in Gujarat, 10,000 people shifted

More than 200 people were rescued and around 10,000 shifted to safer locations, as heavy rains lashed several parts of Gujarat on Sunday, flooding low-lying areas and cutting off several villages. The Narmada and other rivers are in full spate in south and central regions of the State. 

Activists raise concern over Election Commissioners appointment Bill

On the eve of the Special Session of Parliament which will take up the contentious Bill relating to appointment of Election Commissioners (ECs), activists and civil society members raised questions over autonomy of the poll body, if the legislation is passed.

Army likely to complete inducting 114 Dhanush guns by 2026

The Army which has ordered 114 Dhanush artillery guns, and has one regiment operational already, is expecting to receive all the guns by 2026, according to defence sources. With focus on long-range and augmented firepower, the Army is also looking at vastly increasing the range of the Pinaka Multi-Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS) and the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on it. The Pralay surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile too is in advanced stages of induction, sources said.

Vivek Ramaswamy wants to end H-1B visa programme, calls it ‘indentured servitude’

Calling the H-1B visa programme “indentured servitude”, Indian-American Republican presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy has vowed to “gut” the lottery-based system and replace it with meritocratic admission if he wins the race to the White House in 2024.

EU chief pledges migrant action plan in Italy’s Lampedusa

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, which is struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals, and promised a 10-point EU action plan to help Italy deal with the situation.

Asia Cup 2023 Final | Got a message from trainer to stop Siraj, says Rohit Sharma

Moments after Mohammed Siraj finished his sixth over during the Asia Cup final, captain Rohit Sharma walked up to him on the bowler’s way to third-man, had a chat with him and he persisted with Siraj for another over.

Sainz wins thrilling Singapore Grand Prix as Verstappen and Red Bull’s streaks end

Runaway Fomula One leader Max Verstappen’s winning run ended at 10 races and Red Bull’s at 15 — both F1 records — as Carlos Sainz Jr. won the Singapore Grand Prix for Ferrari on Sunday. Red Bull dreamed of winning every race this year but had Verstappen fifth and Perez eighth after struggling all weekend in Singapore.

New Delhi:

In a display of nostalgia, 10 women parliamentarians shared their memories, messages and experiences of the old Parliament building in handwritten notes as they prepared to bid farewell to the structure ahead of a move into the new complex during the upcoming session.

The MPs representing various political parties offered heartfelt tributes to the building that has been the epicentre of India’s democratic journey.

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, in her note, recounted her journey within the hallowed halls of the old Parliament building.

“From an awed visitor in 2006 to a first-time MP in 2009, then a first-time minister in 2014, these 144 pillars in this temple of democracy hold a multitude of memories for me,” she said.

The “beautiful building, embellished with the history and handiwork of thousands of Indian artists, sculptors and labourers has been a place of intense learning and immense satisfaction”, Badal added.

Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT) echoed her sentiment.

“Memories. Learnings. Policy Making. Friendships. History and the sheer beauty of this architectural marvel that has seen intense debates and disruptions,” she shared in her note.

“Stalwarts and history makers all work in its precincts. Parliament that has shaped 75 years of our journey as a confident nation. Proud to be a part of this journey and hoping the essence of this parliament continues in the new building,” Chaturvedi said.

Union Minister and Apna Dal (S) MP Anupriya Patel recalled in her note her first steps into Sansad Bhavan.

“I could feel deep within that I am entering a historic building, which saw India gaining its Independence on 15 August, 1947, the framing of our Constitution and the evolution and strengthening of our country’s democratic institutions,” she said in her note.

BJP MP Poonam Mahajan expressed her thoughts poetically, saying, “Antim jay ka vajra banane, Nav Dadhichi haddiyan galaayein. Aao phir se diya jalaayein.” Mahua Moitra of the TMC said the building “will always have a special place in my heart, as does anyone’s first home”.

“This great Hall embraced us all, both treasury and opposition. And helped us find our own little corners in its cocoon. The building may change but its symbolism — a free space for freely elected representatives of a free country — is what is incumbent upon us all to preserve intact,” she added in her note.

Union Minister and BJP MP Smriti Irani shared her “Best Wishes!” in her note.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule, on the other hand, expressed her gratitude to the people of Maharashtra and the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency for giving her the opportunity to attend sessions at the Building.

“Blessed and gratitude to the people of Maharashtra and Baramati for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the largest democracy in the world and attending sessions in the old beautiful Parliament building — echoes the voices of the leaders who contributed to the development of our beautiful country,” she wrote in her note.

Congress MP Ramya Haridas reminisced about the building’s significance, calling it the “palace of democracy” and the “birthplace of strong decisions”.

She emphasised its historical importance and lasting memories.

Independent MP from Amravati Navneet Rana said she cherished her time in the old building and remarked, “First time when I was entering Parliament was a great memory for me. This Parliament gave me an opportunity to learn a lot of things. It’s a real temple of democracy.” Rajya Sabha MP and legenday sprinter PT Usha shared her unique perspective.

She recalled her visits to Parliament House and the warm reception she received from fellow parliamentarians, emphasising their support and cooperation.

“First time I visited this elegant Parliament House in the year 1986 after my rich gold medal haul at Seoul as a spectator. That time still remember that all the Honourable MPs congratulating me and gave best wishes. After that too I visited two or three times with some special purpose. But on 20th July, 2022, was a very special day for me. First time in my life I stepped into the Rajya Sabha with my right leg, touched the step with my right hand and chanted ‘Hari Om’ in my lips (sic),” she said.

A session of Parliament is set to begin on Monday amid an intense buzz on whether the government will have some surprise item up its sleeve during the five-day sitting that will see a discussion on Parliament’s 75-year journey and House proceedings moving to the new building.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday raised the national flag at the new Parliament building in New Delhi.

Flanked by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, he hoisted the flag atop the “Gaja Dwar” of the new Parliament building.

#WATCH | Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar hoists the national flag at Gaj Dwar, the New Building of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/dwlGNDfjGq

— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2023

The hoisting ceremony takes place a day before the five-day Parliament session begins Monday which may see parliamentary proceedings shift from the old to the adjacent new building.

Earlier, Dhankhar and Birla were separately accorded a guard of honour by the CRPF’s Parliament Duty Group.

“It is a historic moment, Bharat is witnessing epochal change. The world is in total recognition of might, power and contribution of Bharat,” Dhankhar told reporters after the ceremony.

Union ministers, including Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi and Arjun Ram Meghwal, attended the ceremony where leaders from other political parties were also present.

Dhankhar and Birla interacted with the guests after the event as a CRPF band played in the background.

Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had said on Saturday that he would not be able to attend the flag hoisting function and expressed disappointment over getting the invite “quite late”.

He wrote to Rajya Sabha Secretary General P C Mody, saying that he received the invite for the function only in the late evening of September 15.

The Congress Working Committee is meeting in Hyderabad.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi, and party senior leaders being welcomed on their arrival for the newly constituted Congress Working Committee (CWC) in Hyderabad on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Congress Working Committee resolves to make INDIA bloc an ideological and electoral success

The newly constituted Congress Working Committee (CWC), at its first meeting in Hyderabad on September 16, welcomed the “continuing consolidation” of Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and resolved to make its “an ideological and electoral success”.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar to hoist national flag at new Parliament building on September 17

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar will hoist the national flag at the new Parliament building on September 17. The flag hoisting ceremony will take place a day before the five-day Parliament session beginning September 18 which may see parliamentary proceedings shift from the old to the adjacent new building.

Government shelves socio-economic data of Persons with Disabilities as disability database goes online

The Union government is shelving whatever socio-economic data it had collected, while registering about 94 lakh Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across the country for Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards in the last six years, The Hindu has learnt. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is justifying the move by questioning the “quality” of the socio-economic data collected.

Congress calls for increasing existing upper limit of reservation

Noting the BJP’s stubborn refusal to conduct caste census in the country, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) that met on Saturday in Hyderabad called for increasing the existing upper limit of reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs.

Multiple routes proposed in India-Middle East-EU corridor, but multi-billion-dollar project comes with its share of challenges

Days after India, U.S., Saudi Arabia, UAE and other countries launched the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), officials said many of the details are still being ironed out, and multiple route options are being considered that will include ports like Haifa in Israel and Piraeus in Greece, The Hindu has learnt. Among the ports that could be connected on the west coast of India are Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai).

Gita Mehta, eminent writer, journalist and elder sister of Odisha CM, passes away

Gita Mehta, eminent writer, journalist and elder sister of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, passed away in New Delhi on Saturday. Mehta (80) had been ailing for quite some time. Daughter of legendary Biju Patnaik, Mehta was a war correspondent for a foreign television channel during 1971. She had extensively covered the creation of Bangladesh. Her documentary films on Bangladesh were then widely appreciated.

Army draws lessons from Ukraine war, revises its artillery requirements

Drawing lessons from the Ukraine war, the Indian Army has revised the profile of its Artillery regiment, with focus on a mix of mobility and augmented long-range firepower. The Army expects to achieve its target of converting the entire artillery to medium 155 mm gun systems by 2042, a defence source in the know said.

Libya investigates dams’ collapse after flood killed over 11,000

Libyan authorities have opened an investigation into the collapse of two dams that caused a devastating flood in a coastal city as rescue teams searched for bodies on September 16, nearly a week after the deluge killed more than 11,000 people.

Special U.N. summit, protests, week of talk turn up heat on fossil fuels and global warming

As a record-smashing and deadly hot summer draws to a close, the United Nations and the city that hosts it are focusing on climate change and the burning of coal, oil and natural gas that causes it. It features a special U.N. summit and a week of protests and talk-heavy events involving leaders from business, health, politics and the arts. Even a royal prince — William — is getting in on the action.

Neeraj Chopra finishes 2nd in Diamond League Final

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra failed to defend his Diamond League champion’s title as he finished second with a modest performance of 83.80m here on Saturday.

Asia Cup 2023 Final: India and Sri Lanka to battle it out for continental supremacy

The curse of the Asia Cup has persisted. It’s not going to be India versus Pakistan, in sync with the tournament’s 39-year history. Nevertheless, with the World Cup less than three weeks away, there will be much more at stake than bragging about the continental supremacy when India take on Sri Lanka in what is expected to be a scintillating Sunday.