Preserving India's Democratic Legacy: The Imperative for a New Parliament Building



The Indian Parliament stands as a testament to the power and resilience of India's democratic system. It weathered the storm of the country's freedom struggle, witnessed historic milestones, and served as the birthplace of the Constitution of India. As a custodian of our rich heritage, it is crucial to conserve and rejuvenate the Parliament building, an iconic symbol of India's democratic spirit. Designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, the existing colonial-era structure has served as the seat of independent India's first Parliament. However, after almost a century of use, the building faces numerous challenges in meeting the demands of a modern democracy.

The Need for a New Parliament Building

The construction of the Parliament House began in 1921 and was completed in 1927. As a Heritage Grade-I building, it has stood the test of time, but its age has taken its toll. Over the years, the volume of parliamentary activities, the number of personnel, and the influx of visitors have grown manifold. However, due to the absence of original design records, subsequent constructions and modifications have been carried out in an ad-hoc manner, resulting in a building that no longer adequately meets current requirements.

The existing structure has undergone several modifications, including the addition of two floors in 1956, which concealed the dome of the Central Hall and altered the original facade. The introduction of Jaali window coverings has also reduced natural light in the parliamentary halls. Moreover, the building exhibits signs of distress and over-utilization, with limitations in terms of space, amenities, and technology.

Challenges Faced by the Current Building

Limited Seating Space for MPs: The original building was not designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a fully-fledged democracy. The seating arrangements are cramped and cumbersome, with insufficient desks beyond the second row. The Central Hall itself can only accommodate 440 persons, posing significant challenges during Joint Sessions. The lack of space for movement within the building also poses security risks.



Distressed Infrastructure: The ad-hoc addition of services such as water supply lines, sewer lines, air conditioning, fire-fighting systems, and CCTV has led to seepages, compromising the overall aesthetics of the structure. Furthermore, the building's fire safety measures are not up to modern standards, with numerous potential fire hazards resulting from the installation of new electric cables.



Obsolete Communication Structures: The existing Parliament House suffers from outdated communication infrastructure and technology. The acoustics of the halls require major improvements to ensure clear and efficient communication.



Safety Concerns: Structural safety is a growing concern as the building was constructed in an era when Delhi was classified as Seismic Zone-II. Presently, the city falls under Seismic Zone-IV, necessitating urgent attention to ensure the building's stability and resilience against earthquakes.



Inadequate Workspace for Employees: The rising demand for workspaces has led to the conversion of inner service corridors into offices, resulting in subpar and narrow workspaces. Sub-partitions have been created within existing workspaces, leading to overcrowded offices and compromised efficiency.



Conclusion

The preservation and revitalization of the Parliament building is of paramount national importance. As a living symbol of India's democratic heritage, it must evolve and adapt to meet the present and future needs of a robust and thriving democracy. Addressing the challenges faced by the existing structure is crucial for accommodating the increasing demands of parliamentary activities, ensuring the safety and comfort of legislators and employees, and embracing modern technology and infrastructure.



By constructing a new Parliament building that upholds the principles of heritage conservation, functionality, and technological advancement, India can reaffirm its commitment to democracy and strengthen the foundations of its governance system for generations to come.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Structure of an Atom & Composition of Nucleus

Image
RADIOACTIVITY Structure of an Atom & Composition of Nucleus An atom is composed of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Let's break down the composition of an atom: The nucleus of an atom is composed of two main particles: protons and neutrons. Protons carry a positive electrical charge, while neutrons are electrically neutral (they have no charge). Together, protons and neutrons are known as nucleons. Protons: Protons are subatomic particles with a positive charge. Each proton carries a fundamental unit of positive electrical charge, which is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the charge of an electron. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the atomic number of an element, which distinguishes one element from another. For example, all hydrogen atoms have one proton in their nucleus, while all carbon atoms have six protons. Neutrons: Neutrons are subatomic particles that are electrically neutral, meaning they have no charge
Read more

RADIOACTIVITY, LAW OF RADIOACTIVE DISINTEGRATION, DERIVATION OF DISINTEGRATION OR DECAY EQUATION, HALF-LIFE PERIOD, UNITS OF RADIOACTIVITY

Image
  RADIOACTIVITY Radioactivity is a natural process by which unstable atomic nuclei undergo spontaneous decay, emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. This phenomenon was first discovered by Henri Becquerel in 1896, and subsequent research by Marie Curie and others revealed the principles behind radioactivity. There are three main types of radioactive decay: Alpha decay: In alpha decay, an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. This results in the atomic number of the nucleus decreasing by two and the mass number decreasing by four. Beta decay: Beta decay involves the emission of beta particles from the nucleus. There are two types of beta decay: beta-minus (β-) decay, where a neutron within the nucleus transforms into a proton, emitting an electron and an antineutrino; and beta-plus (β+) decay, where a proton transforms into a neutron, emitting a positron and
Read more

RADIOGRAPHY, X -Rays, Properties of X-ray, Applications of X-ray, GAMMA – RAY, RADIATION SAFETY

Image
RADIOGRAPHY Radiography is a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays or gamma rays to create images of the internal structures of the body. X-rays and gamma rays are both forms of electromagnetic radiation, but they differ in their sources and energies. The electromagnetic spectrum refers to the entire range of electromagnetic radiation, which encompasses all types of electromagnetic waves, including visible light, radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that travels through space in the form of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. The electromagnetic spectrum is typically divided into different regions or bands based on the wavelength or frequency of the waves. Each region of the spectrum has unique properties and interactions with matter. Here are the major regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength: 1.      Radio
Read more