New house of Parliamentarians set for Shree Ganesh during special session

NEW DELHI: The five-day special session of Parliament, which begins next Monday, is likely to see legislators bidding farewell to the old Parliament building. Inauguration of the new building will be on Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on September 19, according to government insiders. On the first day of the special session, both Houses are likely to deliberate on the role and significance of the old Parliament building, before and after Independence of the country. Parliamentarians would share their memories.

Thereafter, there is likely to be a joint sitting of Parliament, either in the old or new building. Before the inauguration of the new building, a pooja is expected to be conducted on Ganesh Chaturthi.

The special session will see staff of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats, who assist with the proceedings, donning a new attire. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) was assigned to prepare the new dress code for all members of the staff, from security to officers seen during Parliament proceedings. The dress code of secretariat employees will change from ‘bandhgala’ suits to magenta-coloured Nehru jacket, magenta-colored lotus-printed cream shirt and khaki trousers.


Dresses of marshalls deputed to both Houses of Parliament have also been changed. They are likely to adorn Manipuri or Kannada turbans.

Parliament staff members have been trained on behaviour, work ethics and familiarisation of the new Parliament building. The security staff of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been given commando training too. Their safari suits have been replaced with military style camouflage clothing. The new building will host a three-day meeting of presiding officers from October 12, for which people from more than 30 countries have confirmed participation.