Delhi: The new Parliament building is a reflection of new India’s aspirations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, asserting that it will pave the way for empowering the poor and marginalised and herald the rise of a “developed India” that will inspire the progress of other nations.

In a speech delivered from the grand and cavernous Lok Sabha hall decorated in peacock motif, Modi said the ultra-modern complex was the “need of the hour” in view of the expected increase in the number of members of Parliament.

Some moments in the developmental journey of a nation get immortalised, today is one such day, Modi said amid repeated thumping of desks by the audience.

“More than just a building, the new Parliament encompasses the aspirations and dreams of 1.4 billion people. It sends a powerful message to the world about India’s unwavering determination,” he said and hailed the country’s democratic ethos.

Modi inaugurated the new building this morning at a grand ceremony which included a havan, a multi-faith prayer ceremony and the installation of the Sengol in a special enclosure in the Lok Sabha chamber.

He later addressed a gathering of MPs and distinguished guests in the newly-built Lok Sabha chamber that saw attendance from about 25 parties.

About 20 opposition parties boycotted the event, accusing the prime minister of “sidelining” President Droupadi Murmu. The new Parliament complex will witness realisation of the ‘developed India’ pledge and will inspire other nations as well, Modi said.

Soon after he arrived in Lok Sabha amidst chants of ‘Modi, Modi’, the messages by President Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar were read out, while Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh also addressed the gathering.

In his speech, Modi said that as India develops, the world progresses. He asserted that this new Parliament building will give a call for the development of the world as well.

He also talked about the ‘Sengol’, saying that it was a symbol of power transfer from the British and had now been given the respect it deserves.