The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government has announced that the historic scepter ‘Sengol’ will be placed in the new parliament building besides the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair.
“Yes, the government will place the Sengol, the symbol of justice, beside the Speaker's chair inside the new parliament building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a special and keen interest in placing the Sengol inside the new building,” and Union official told Brighter Kashmir.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will himself place the ‘Symbol of Justice’ besides the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair.
Explaining what Sengol is, the official said that the word ‘Sengol’ means full of wealth. “It belongs to South India and was a scepter with the Chola dynasty,” the official said.
It is believed that Sengol belongs to Tamil Nadu and is said to carry the spirit of fair rule. “The scepter measures five feet in length and features a Nandi Bull at the top representing the concept of justice,” the official told Brighter Kashmir.
He said that the scepter was first handed over to India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru after the British left India in 1947 to mark the transfer of power from British to India.
“After handing over it to Pt. Nehru ji, the Chola Dynasty scepter was taken to the constituent assembly hall in a procession.”
“Being symbol of justice it is an artifact reflecting just and impartial rule over the citizens. Sengol has played an important role in our history and it has become the symbol of power,” he said.
He said that the Chola scepter was crafted by renowned jeweler Vumidi Bangaru Chetty in what was then known as Madrass.
“The decision to include the Sengol in the ceremony was taken after the Prime Minister discovered the historicity of the scepter. He wanted to present it to the nation and to its people,” he said.
He said that the materials for the Ashoka Emblem were sourced from Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
“The Ashok Chakra donning the massive walls of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers and the exteriors of the parliament building were procured from Indore in Madhya Pradesh,” the official said.
He said that the steel structure for the false ceilings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers have been sourced from the Union territory of Daman and Diu, while the furniture in the new building was crafted in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, amid controversy over the inauguration of the new parliament building National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said the new Parliament building was a welcome addition and looks ‘pretty damn impressive’.
“Setting aside the brouhaha about the inauguration for a moment, this building is a welcome addition.”
“The old Parliament House has served us well but as someone who has worked there for a few years, a lot of us often spoke amongst ourselves about the need for a new and improved Parliament building. Better late than never is all I'll say and this one looks pretty damn impressive,” Omar Abdullah tweeted.