'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' Will Bring More Women To Parliament, Assemblies: PM Modi's Address On Day 2 Of Special Session

Taking congnisance of the Women's Reservation Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized on the contribution made by Indian women in different aspects of life during the second day of special parliament session. The prime minister said, 'We want that more and more women join the development process of the country.'

Regarding the Women's Reservation Bill, PM Modi further added, "The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' will ensure more women become members of Parliament, assemblies."

Ahead of the commencement of the second day of the Parliament Special Session, the Lok Sabha speaker officially notified the new building of the Parliament as the Parliament House of India. PM Narendra Modi bid adieu to the old heritage building on the first day of the session, along with remembering the parliamentary journey of 75 years. 

Addressing the event organised in the Central Hall ahead of shifting of the Parliament to the new building, PM Modi mentioned key bills passed such as triple talaq, saying that many "mistakes of past" were corrected in this Parliament. "In the last few years, Parliament has also passed laws giving justice to the transgenders. 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..." he said. 

The Prime Minister further proposed to rename the old parliament building as 'Samvidhan Sadan'. "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'," he said.

Members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha gathered at the inner courtyard of the old Parliament House hours before the legislative proceedings commenced at the new building for a joint photograph.

Speakers at session

Amid reports that the Women's Reservation Bill would be tabled in the parliament today, Lok Sabha's senior most member Maneka Gandhi said that the world is still an unequal place and we women need to support and help each other. "I am proud to be part of this historical moment when a government under the leadership of PM Modi has undertaken to repair the deep-rooted asymmetry and to give an equal share to all of us women," the BJP MP said.

On day two of the session, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led a function in the Central Hall of Parliament to celebrate the country's rich parliamentary legacy and resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047.  The nearly one-and-a-half hour function started and ended with the national anthem and would be followed by a lunch. Later, the top leaders will lead all MPs to the new Parliament building.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi delivered the welcome address at the Central hall function. "I am feeling proud privileged to be the part of this historic occasion where we have assembled in this iconic Central Hall for the celebration of our 75 years of parliamentary democratic journey and shifting to the new Parliament building," he said. 

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raised issues of unemployment and how India's per capita GDP "falls far behind" that of developed nations. "Tackling this economic growth challenge requires pro-growth government policies, mentoring low inflation, reducing interest rates, alleviating unemployment, fostering a skilled workforce, bolstering purchasing power, stimulating demand, and enhancing the healthcare and education sector...," he said, while acknowledging the privilege of "having stood in this podium which had witnessed a caravan of historical episode."

Reiterating the rich legacy of the Parliament of India, LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge recalled the contributions made by Dr Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and BR Ambedkar.

What is on agenda for second day of the session?

The second day of the session will begin a day after the Union Cabinet reportedly cleared the Women's Reservation Bill, which has been in the works even before the BJP government was in power. 

After much criticism from opposition parties, the BJP government last week released a “tentative list” of agenda items for the special session, which initially included the passage of five pieces of legislation, but later increased to eight. Opposition parliamentarians are concerned that the government also has “surprise legislations” up its sleeve.

A new dress code with floral motif for Parliament staff will kick off from today. According to an internal circular issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the marshals, security staff and officials, chamber attendants and drivers have been issued new uniforms which they have to don from today, September 19.