Redeeming Bhavya Bharat

New Delhi: September 19 marks a tryst with history as the special session of Parliament began in the new Parliament building on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The journey of democracy in the country is depicted through a series of exhibits in the Constitution Hall in the new Parliament building, which itself is inspired by Sri Yantra, used for worship by many Hindus and considered a source of energy.

The colour used in the Rajya Sabha has been inspired by the shade of kokum red, while the look of Lok Sabha is based on Indian agave green with inspirations from the plumes of the Indian peacock. The new Parliament building, inaugurated by PM Modi on May 28, has artwork narrating India’s democratic traditions from the Vedic period to the present day. The building has three ceremonial foyers where huge brass images of Mahatma Gandhi, Chanakya, Gargi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, B R Ambedkar, and the Chariot Wheel from the Sun Temple at Konark are on display.

The public entrances lead to three galleries -- the Sangeet Gallery which exhibits dance, song, and musical traditions of India, the Sthapthya Gallery which depicts the architectural heritage of the country, and the Shilp Gallery which showcases handicraft traditions of different states.

The interiors of the Lok Sabha chamber are based on the theme of peacock, our national bird, while that of the Rajya Sabha takes it hues from lotus, the national flower.