New Parliament inauguration: Modi releases special stamp, Rs. 75 coin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a Rs. 75 coin and a special commemorative postage stamp to mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building in New Delhi on Sunday. It is worth noting that the prime minister also released the stamp and the coin during the inauguration ceremony held at the new Lok Sabha chamber.
Why does this story matter?
Earlier on Sunday, Modi inaugurated the new Parliament building in a grand ceremony to mark a milestone shift to a new complex in the national capital. To note, several opposition parties, which boycotted the event, argued the president should inaugurate the new building as the highest constitutional authority. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) argued that the president isn't a member of either House.
All you need to know about new Rs. 75 coin
As per a Department of Economic Affairs notification, each Rs. 75 coin would weigh 34.65-35.35gm. On one side, it will have an image of the Ashoka Pillar's Lion Capital in the middle, flanked by the word "Bharat" in Devanagari script and "INDIA" in English. Meanwhile, the second side of the coin will have the Parliament Complex image and the year "2023" in international numerals.
Visuals of Modi releasing new stamp, Rs. 75 coin
There was need for new Parliament: Modi
On Sunday, the PM's Office tweeted, "When India moves forward, the world moves forward. This new building of the Parliament will call for the development of the world along with the development of India." "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," Modi said after the inauguration.
Twitter post by PM's Office
Know about Modi's first address at new Parliament
During his first address at the new Parliament, PM Modi stated, "India has left behind the colonial mindset today. Some moments in a country's development journey become immortalized." "Today, May 28, 2023, the people of India gifted this new parliament building to its democracy. It is symbolic of the wishes and dreams of 140 crore people. This is our temple of democracy," he added.
Parties that did and didn't attend inauguration event
Notably, 19 opposition parties boycotted the inauguration, while others like Bahujan Samaj Party, Janata Dal (Secular), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Biju Janata Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal, YSR Congress Party, and Telugu Desam Party reportedly attended the event. These seven non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties reporteldy have almost 50 Lok Sabha MPs and helped the saffron party's government save face.
