Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar unfurls national flag at new Parliament building

Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar unfurled the national flag at the new Parliament building in Delhi on Sunday, September 17, just a day before the five-day Special session beginning from Monday. The flag was unfurled at the Gaj Dwar of the new Parliament building. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar was accompanied by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla. The event coincided with the auspicious occasion of Vishwakarma Puja and the 73rd birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The Vice President called the flag unfurling event a historic moment. "It is a historic moment, Bharat is witnessing epochal change. The world is in total recognition of might, power and contribution of Bharat. We are living in times, where we are witnessing development, achievements which we never dreamt of.," said Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar after hoisting national flag in the new Parliament building. 

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghawal, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary were also present at the occasion. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge could not attend the event as he was in Hyderabad for the meetings of the newly constructed Congress Working Committee (CWC). Kharge has informed Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody regarding the same through a letter, expressing disappointment over the late invitation to the function.

The national flag was unfurled just a day before the commencement of the special session of the Parliament, that will be conducted from September 18 to 22. While the Special session will begin in the old building, it would be shifted to the new Parliament building, where the event was held, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, September 19. 

During the special session, both the houses of the Parliament will hold a discussion of Parliament’s 75-year journey since independence. Several bills will also be taken up in both Lok Sabha and Rajya sabha. 

(With ANI inputs)