New Parl inauguration live: 'When India surges ahead, world also moves forward'

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building here on Sunday morning and installed the historic Sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber.

Dressed in traditional attire, Modi walked into Parliament premises from its Gate No. 1 and was welcomed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Amid Vedic chants by priests from Karnataka's Shringeri Math, the prime minister performed "Ganapati Homam" to invoke Gods to bless the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

 The prime minister prostrated before the Sengol and sought blessings from high priests of various adheenams in Tamil Nadu with the holy sceptre in hand.

The prime minister felicitated with shawls and souvenirs some workers who played key roles in the construction of the new Parliament building.

A multi-faith prayer was also held to mark the occasion.

The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres.

The building has three main gates -- Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar.

It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

The material used for the new building has been acquired from various parts of the country.

The teakwood used in the building was sourced from Nagpur in Maharashtra, while the red and white sandstone was procured from Sarmathura in Rajasthan. The sandstone for the Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb in the national capital was also known to have been sourced from Sarmathura.

The Kesharia green stone has been procured from Udaipur, the red granite from Lakha near Ajmer and the white marble has been sourced from Ambaji in Rajasthan.

PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Parliament House, ahead of the inauguration of the new building

PM Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla begin pooja for the inauguration of the new Parliament building

The puja ceremony will continue for about an hour. After the puja, the PM will receive the 'Sengol' and install it in the new Parliament.

PM Modi handed over the historic 'Sengol' by Adheenams before its installed in the new Parliament building

PM Modi bows as a mark of respect before the 'Sengol' during the ceremony to mark the beginning of the inauguration of the new Parliament building

PM Narendra Modi carries the historic 'Sengol' post the pooja ceremony after it is handed over to him by the Adheenam seers.

PM Modi carries the historic 'Sengol' into the Lok Sabha chamber of the new Parliament building

PM Modi installs the historic 'Sengol' near the Lok Sabha Speaker's chair in the new Parliament building

PM Modi receives blessings of seers of different Adheenams from Tamil Nadu after the installation of the 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building in Delhi

PM Modi unveils the plaque to mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building

PM Narendra Modi felicitates the workers who helped in the building and development of the new Parliament House.

PM Modi along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Cabinet ministers attends a 'Sarv-dharma' prayer ceremony being held at the new Parliament building

PM Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers and CMs of different States attend a multi-faith prayer meeting underway at the new Parliament building

PM Modi meets various people as the multi-faith prayer meeting concludes at the new Parliament building

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Parliament building to the nation by unveiling the plaque marking the inauguration.

The new Parliament House has been inaugurated today. I offered prayers according to Buddhist rituals. Everyone should work for the growth of the country unitedly and keep politics aside: Lama Chosphel Zotpa, President, Himalaya Buddhist Cultural Association

 "Today, we have given the message of unity in diversity," says Jewish Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar who took part in the multi-faith prayers at the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

We witnessed a historic moment when the 'Dharma Dand' was installed in the new Parliament today, says Jain priest Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni who was part of a multi-faith prayer meeting held during the inauguration ceremony.

 "It is a very good thing that the new Parliament has been built. I keep myself away from politics, the only thing I can say is that everyone should work unitedly for the growth of the country," says Sikh Guru Balbir Singh who took part in the multi-faith prayers at the inauguration of the new Parliament building

PM Modi has all the 'sadgunas', says Kamatchi Dasar Swami of Avinashi Mutt on the inauguration of the new Parliament building in Delhi

"As the new building of India’s Parliament is inaugurated, our hearts and minds are filled with pride, hope and promise. May this iconic building be a cradle of empowerment, igniting dreams and nurturing them into reality. May it propel our great nation to new heights of progress," says PM Narendra Modi.

It was a historical moment when PM Modi installed the 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building today. The 'Sengol' was made by our family 75 years ago: Vummidi Sudhakar, the chairman of Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers

PM Modi arrives in the Lok Sabha chamber of the new Parliament building as Members of Parliament and CMs of different states assemble.

It is a matter of immense happiness that a new modern Parliament was constructed in less than 2.5 years under the leadership of PM Modi

This day is an important milestone as it will prove to be a source of inspiration in the Amritkaal: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh in the new Parliament    

The entire nation is witnessing this moment today. I express my gratitude towards PM Modi under whose leadership this new Parliament was built in under 2.5 years: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the new Parliament

In this Amrit Kaal, India's prestige in the world has increased. Our parliament has the ability to convert internal and global challenges into opportunities. Democracy is the foundation of our strong future. Unity in diversity is our strength

"I am confident that the new atmosphere in the new Parliament will engender new ideas. We must take forward the good principles of our Parliamentary system"

In this Amrit Kaal, India's prestige in the world has increased. Our parliament has the ability to convert challenges into opportunities. Democracy is the foundation of our strong future. Unity in diversity is our strength: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the new Parliament

PM Narendra Modi begins his address in the new Parliament

'In the development journey of every country, some moments come which become immortal. 28th May is such a day', says PM Narendra Modi

The new Parliament isn't just a building, it is the symbol of the aspiration of the 140 cr people of India. It gives a message to the world about India's determination: PM Modi

This new Parliament will become witness to the rise of a self-reliant India, says PM Modi

The holy 'Sengol' was installed in Parliament today. In the Chola dynasty, the 'Sengol' symbolised justice, righteousness and good governance: PM Modi

When India moves forward, then the World moves forward. This new Parliament will also lead to the development of the world through the development of India.

It is our good fortune that we have been able to restore the pride of the holy 'Sengol'. Whenever proceedings start in this House the 'Sengol' will inspire us.

Along with India, the new Parliament building will also contribute to the world's progress.

India is the mother of democracy. It is also the foundation of global democracy. Democracy is our 'Sanskaar', idea & tradition.

Several years of foreign rule stole our pride from us. Today, India has left behind that colonial mindset: PM Narendra Modi in the new Parliament

 "There was a need for new Parliament. We also have to see that the number of seats and MPs will increase in the coming time. That's why it was need of the hour that a new Parliament is made".

From panchayat bhawan to Sansad bhawan, our inspiration is the development of our country and its people. Today, as we are proud of the construction of this new Parliament, it also gives me immense satisfaction when I think about the construction of homes for 4 crore poor people and 11 crore toilets in the country in the last 9 years. When we talk about modern facilities in the new Parliament, I feel content we have constructed over 4 lakh kilometres of roads to connect villages in the country: PM Modi

This building is equipped with modern facilities and equipped with the latest gadgets. It has given employment to over 60,000 labourers. We have created a digital gallery to honour their hard work: PM Modi