Page 29 - NIS English 16-30 June,2023

Cover Story

New temple of Democracy

Sengol, the symbol of justice and fairness, installed in the new parliament

The British were discussing how to transfer power to n Prime Minister Narendra Modi also installed the sacred
India. Because Lord Mountbatten was unfamiliar with 'Sengol," symbolising the spirit of justice and fairness in the
Indian tradition, he asked Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Parliament, along with the inauguration of the new Parliament
"What should be the process of power transfer?" House on May 28, 2023.
Nehru was perplexed and requested for more time.
n The Sengol (sceptre), symbolising the transfer of power, is
Nehru then discussed it with C. Rajagopalachari.
placed next to the Speaker's chair in the Parliament House
Rajagopalachari, alias "Rajaji," studied many
with Vedic chants.
texts and identified the Sengol process. We have
n On the night of August 14, 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
witnessed the transfer of power via Sengol. Sengol
received the 'Sengol' as a symbol of the transfer of power to
is a civilizational practise that dates back to the 8th
the government from the specially arrived priests from the
century Chola Empire. However, most people in the
Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam (monastery) in Tamil Nadu.
country are unaware of it.
Home Minister Amit Shah said that when Prime n The word 'sengol' is derived from the Tamil word 'semmai', which
Minister Narendra Modi learned about Sengol and means 'righteousness'. As the observer of 'justice', the hand-
its significance, he got it thoroughly investigated. engraved Nandi sits atop it, watching with his unflinching gaze.
After this, it was decided that it should be put
n The person who receives the 'Sengol' has the 'Order' ('Aanai' in
before the country. There can be no other suitable
Tamil) to rule justly and fairly.
and holy place than the Parliament House for the
n In the Great Chola Empire, Sengol was considered a symbol
establishment of Sengol. As a result, on the day the
new Parliament House was dedicated to the nation, of the path of duty, the path of service, and the path of the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Sengol nation.
from the Tamil Nadu Adheenam (monastery) and n The holy ceremony was also attended by 96-year-old
installed it near the seat of the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, who has been associated with the
During blessings from the saints of Aadinam, PM
making of 'Sengol'.
Modi said, "Sengol is getting the recognition and
n Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah also
status it deserves. This will remind us to walk the
launched the website related to 'Sengol' at the National Media
path of our duty. It is taking its rightful place in the
Centre on May 24.
temple of democracy.

Even when Prime Minister Narendra
Modi arrived in Parliament for the
first time after being elected, he
prostrated before entering.

Prostrate to strength
and justice! New India Samachar June 16-30, 2023 27