‘Sirf dil chahiye, desh ke liye chahiye’: PM Modi to MPs in last speech at old Parliament

He also listed landmark moments witnessed at the old Parliament building, which he renamed Samvidhan Bhawan at the function. “Since 1952, 41 heads of state from across the world have addressed our MPs in the Central Hall and more than 4,000 laws have been passed by Parliament in the last seven decades,” Modi said.

‘Should encourage Indian aspiration’

Ahead of the move of Parliamentary proceedings to the new building, Modi said India will have to “work on a larger canvas” and all laws that will be made and all debates in Parliament must be aimed at encouraging Indian aspirations. “If we cannot enlarge the canvas of our thinking, we will not be able to paint a picture of a grand India,” the PM said.

“The time for us to get caught up in smaller issues is over. First of all, we will have to meet the goal of becoming Aatmanirbhar Bharat…It is the need of the hour, it is everyone’s duty. Parties do not come in its way. Sirf dil chahiye, desh ke liye chahiye,” PM Modi said.

“Every law made in Parliament, every discussion held in Parliament, and every signal given by Parliament should encourage the Indian aspiration. This is our responsibility and the expectation of every Indian. Whatever reforms are made here, Indian aspiration should be our priority,” he remarked.

Pointing out that India has reawakened with a new consciousness and the country is filled with new energy, PM Modi reiterated remarks in his Independence Day speech. “I had said from Red Fort – ‘yahi samay hai, sahi samay hai’. If we look at the events one after the other, each one of them bears witness that today, India is filled with a new energy. This consciousness and energy can change the dreams of crores of people into resolutions and make those resolutions into a reality,” he said.

Of laws passed

The Prime Minister also highlighted the many laws, including the one opposing ‘triple talaq’ and the abrogation of Article 370, that were passed in the old Parliament building. “Muslim mothers and sisters got justice because of this Parliament, law opposing ‘triple talaq’ was unitedly passed from here. In the last few years, Parliament has also passed laws giving justice to the transgenders,” PM Modi said, taking forward the narrative of social justice.

Over the years, Parliament, he said, has also enacted laws providing justice to transgenders, adding that steps were towards providing jobs, education, health and other facilities to transgenders with harmony and respect. “We have unitedly passed laws that will guarantee a bright future for the specially-abled people. It is our privilege that we got the opportunity to abrogate Article 370 from the Parliament.”

Highlighting the contributions of the public representatives in repealing Article 370, the Prime Minister underlined that the Constitution provided to us by our ancestors is now being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. “Today, Jammu and Kashmir is progressing on the path of peace and development and its people do not wish to let opportunities slip out of their hands anymore,” Modi remarked.

‘Shaping of grand history’

Earlier, BJP MP Maneka Gandhi, the longest-serving among sitting Lok Sabha parliamentarians, said being a Member of Parliament is an immense responsibility as it entails safeguarding the trust of lakhs of voters and the task demands unwavering commitment, moral rectitude and courage. Gandhi hailed the government’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign changed the thought of the country and the statistics show a lasting change.

Gandhi said she entered Parliament as an MP when she was 32 years old and has spent most of her adult life in this institution and has seen seven prime ministers and the shaping of grand history. “It has been an arduous rocky road. I had several terms as an independent member and finally joined the BJP under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Since then I have remained a proud member of the BJP and this August House. I have tried to make the most of every minute I have spent here,” she added.

During his address, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged parliamentarians to engage in meaningful and positive debates while making laws and fulfil the dreams and aspirations of the people of the country to make India a developed nation.

“The people of the country are looking towards us with new hopes as we move forward on this dream and we should help realise their aspirations and fulfil their expectations,” he said, adding, “There should be meaningful and positive discussions so that Parliament can play a significant role in making our country more capable and prosperous and take it towards a developed nation.”

“It is our resolve that we will fulfil these aspirations through collective discussion in this parliamentary democracy and through dialogue, hard work and with the participation of the entire country,” the Speaker said.

Towards the end of his speech, PM Modi said, “Now, when we are going to the New Parliament, its (Old Parliament building) dignity should never go down. This should not be left just as the Old Parliament building. So, I urge that if you agree, this should be known as ‘Samvidhan Sadan’…”.

Led by PM Modi, Union ministers, and MPs then walked from the old building and entered the new structure through the Makar Dwar.