Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his farewell speech at the old parliament building, announced a significant change in its name to \”Samvidhan Sadan\” or \”Constitution House.\” Subsequently, he led all Members of Parliament on a walk to the new parliament building, which has now become the official seat of the Indian parliament.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and turned to the speakers of both houses, seated beside him, to make a heartfelt request. He appealed to them, expressing hope that they would carefully consider his proposal. His desire was that the old parliament building should not merely be referred to as the \”old parliament\” but should bear the name \”Samvidhan Sadan\” to preserve its enduring significance. By christening it as \”Samvidhan Sadan,\” PM Modi envisioned that the building would continue to inspire future generations. He stressed the importance of upholding the memories of the eminent individuals who convened in the Constituent Assembly within this historic structure.
The iconic old building, designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, was completed in 1927 and now stands at 96 years old. Over time, it became inadequate to meet the evolving requirements of a modern parliament.
During a session in the Lok Sabha the previous day, PM Modi paid a heartfelt tribute to every facet of the old building, underscoring that MPs would enter the new building with renewed hope and confidence.
Government sources have indicated that rather than demolishing the old building, it will undergo retrofitting to create more functional spaces for parliamentary activities. Furthermore, there are reports suggesting that a section of the old building may be repurposed into a museum.
Sources have affirmed their commitment to conserving this historic structure, recognizing its archaeological significance for the country.