Central Vista
The Dawn of A New Era
Central Vista as the name suggests, is not a mere new construction of yet another building. One question arises, should the new building carry on the aesthetics of the era of 1911-1931, when Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker created this old one. The world’s largest democratic system is manifested in the parliament of India. It is a witness to India’s freedom struggle, a long-drawn battle of freedom fighters like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the adoption of the Indian Constitution by WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA. Hence the construction of the new parliament building is a matter of pride for all citizens of India.
The old parliament building was built in the British era; it took six years to construct from 1921 to 1927. This old building cannot carry the increasing number of participants in the wake of growth and strong democracy, resulting in an increasing number of people and fewer amenities.
Till today Central Vista, the new parliament building, has provided 23,04,095 employment generated as man-days, 26045metric tons of steel is being used, 63087 metric tons of cement, and 9689 fly ash are used in cubic meter.
This gigantic project of Central Vista will take about six years to complete. Around INR20,000 is an approximation, including the new parliament building, chamber of MPs, central conference center, building for national archives, new IGNCA building, facilities for security officials, official residences of the PM of India, and the official residence of the Vice President of India. Tree plantation adhered to reducing electricity consumption by 30% because it is constructed on the principles of green construction techniques. Rainwater harvesting and water recycling techniques are implanted. This building is earthquake safe and designed for the next one hundred fifty years. The new Lok Sabha building design is based on a peacock theme, the national bird, and the Rajya Sabha design is based on the Lotus theme and red carpets on the floor (the upper house).
In the constitution hall, the journey of Indian democracy has been documented. Sandstone has come from Sarmathura in Dholpur. Granite from village Lakha in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Wood from Nagpur and artists or artisans from Mumbai. Handmade (Knotted) red carpet by Bhadhoi weavers from Uttar Pradesh. National emblem –the lion capital of Ashok(statue), a structure is placed atop the central foyer. Sengol (a golden scepter) is placed in Lok Sabha (near the Lok Sabha speaker podium). The tablets and iPad, all records –house proceedings, questions, and business of the house are digitized. Foucault’s Pendulum is installed in the building to demonstrate the earth’s rotation.
Five thousand works of art for the new parliament building highlight 5000 years of Indian art tradition. The SANATAN PARAMPARA and VASTU SHASTRA are the guiding factors. Five thousand pieces of artwork like paintings, decorative art, wallpapers, stone sculptures, and metal objects that are all new will find a place. The guardianship status shown by “Auspicious animals” is based on their importance in Indian Culture at the six entrance gates of the new building, like wisdom, victory, power, and success to spread affirmations on well-being and harmony.
At the northern entrance, the elephant GAJA represents wisdom, health, intellect, and memory. It is the direction of Mercury-the higher intellect. At the southern entrance of ASHVA the horse, the symbol of endurance, strength, power, and speed, describes the quality of governance.
At the eastern entrance, the eagle GARUDA, symbolizes people’s aspirations to represent victory and the rising sun.
The northeastern entrance depicts HANSA (SWAN) representing wisdom and discernment. The remaining entrances show the MAKAR (a mythical combination of the body parts of different animals), showing unity in
diversity.
The new building will also have six granite statues of the personalities involved in the freedom struggle, making of the Indian constitution, four galleries each for the two houses. One constitution gallery and 3
formal foyers.
All artworks are made new (afresh)by artists who are indigenous and at the grass root level from across the country as per their specializations. It will depict the Indian ethos and identity related to BHARAT’s civilization and Sanatan culture. An earnest the effort to highlight 5000 years of Indian arts and traditions and contribution to world peace and
harmony.
Let India be the Vishwaguru.
Namaste. Jaihind, Jai Bharat.
