PM Modi: Nehru's 'Tryst with Destiny' speech still inspires | Special Parliament session

Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Jawaharlal Nehru during his speech in the Lok Sabha as the special Parliament session commenced.

He said that Nehru's 'stroke of the midnight hour' speech still continues to inspire.

'This is the same Parliament where Jawaharlal Nehru is often remembered, and I will do the same. Nehru’s ‘Stroke of Midnight’ speech still echoes in this chamber and inspires all of us. Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 'Governments come and governments go. Parties appear and disappear. But this country should remain,' speech also still echoes in the Parliament,' he said.

Initiating the discussion in the Lok Sabha on "Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha -- Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings", Modi also said there were celebrations everywhere when three new states of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh were created during Vajpayee's time but lamented that Telangana being carved out of Andhra Pradesh led to only bitterness and bloodshed in both the states.

The biggest achievement of these 75 years is that the common person's trust in Parliament continues to grow, Modi said, as he wished that when Parliament shifts to its new building on Tuesday that should be a dawn of new hope and confidence.

Modi said it is also an occasion to hail everyone who has led this House and shared their vision for India, ranging from Pandit Nehru to Vajpayee.

He also remembered Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Chandrashekhar and Lal Krishna Advani for enriching the House.

Also watch: PM Modi recounts history of old Parliament building during special session

The prime minister also lauded the contribution of B R Ambedkar, saying his vision for industrialisation, which was aimed at bringing social justice in the country during the first government of independent India, continues to remain at the heart of every industrial policy even today.

At the same time, there have been sad and emotive moments when Parliament witnessed the loss of three serving prime ministers -- Nehru, Shastri and Indira Gandhi -- and they were paid rich tributes, he noted.

"This House also supported the liberation of Bangladesh under the leadership of Indira Gandhi," he said.

At the same time, this House also witnessed an attack on democracy during the Emergency and through this House, the people also asserted their power as we saw the return of democracy, Modi added.

(with PTI inputs)