<p class="p4">Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the country’s new Parliament building on Thursday saying future generations would be proud to see the complex that is made in Independent India.</p>
<p class="p4">The new parliament building will be built at an estimated cost of  Rs 971 crore. It will be completed in 21 months by 2022 and it is proposed to hold the Winter Session of Parliament in the new Parliament Building, as the nation celebrates 75 years of Independence that year. It will be equipped with all modern audio-visual communication facilities and data network systems — making it a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> Sir lays the foundation stone for new Parliament building in New Delhi. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewParliament4NewIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewParliament4NewIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/RX4TJ8i0Hv">https://t.co/RX4TJ8i0Hv</a></p>
— C R Paatil (@CRPaatil) <a href="https://twitter.com/CRPaatil/status/1336936968685375488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p class="p4">The current Parliament building was constructed by the British and its foundation stone was laid on February 12, 1921.</p>
<p class="p4">The Prime Minister said that the need was felt for a new Parliament building for years. India in the 21st century needs a new Parliament complex. While the old building fulfilled the needs of the country, the new Parliament building will fulfil the country’s aspirations, he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Speaking at the Foundation Stone Laying of the New Parliament. <a href="https://t.co/Gh3EYXlUap">https://t.co/Gh3EYXlUap</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1336954212966572032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p class="p3">The new building has been designed by HCP Design and Management Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad and the construction would be carried out by Tata Projects Ltd, keeping the needs and requirements for the next 100 years in mind.</p>
<p class="p3">Changing times have also meant that future needs have to be borne in mind. The building will have a seating capacity for 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber with an option to increase to 1,224 members during Joint Sessions. Similarly, the Rajya Sabha Chamber would have a seating capacity for 384 members.</p>
<p class="p3">India's glorious heritage too will find a place in the building. Artisans and sculptors from all over the country would contribute to and showcase India's cultural diversity in the building.</p>
<p class="p4">People who come to meet public representatives in Parliament face many difficulties, there was a space crunch. The new building will have additional space to allow people to meet the representatives.</p>
<p class="p4">The Prime Minister said that the new Parliament building is an example of the co-existence of the new and the old and that it was an effort to make changes within oneself in accordance with the time and needs.</p>
<p class="p3">Touching a sentimental chord, the PM said, "I can never forget the moment in my life when I had the opportunity to come to Parliament House for the first time in 2014 as a Member of Parliament. Then before stepping into this temple of democracy, I had bowed my head and saluted this temple of democracy.”</p>
<p class="p3">“Our efforts in next 25-26 yrs should be towards how do we want to see India in 2047, in our 100 years of Independence,” he added.</p>
<p class="p3">“We'll have to take the pledge of 'India First'. Our decisions should make the nation stronger and be measured on the same scale – that nation's welfare comes first. We must keep in mind that every elected representative is accountable to the people,” the Prime Minister said.</p>.