Tomato, Tamatar and Tamata

By 

Kusum Kaull Vyas

Call this fruit, used as a vegetable, by any name but it’s ubiquitous presence in everyday Indian food has made it special and difficult to manage without. Though this red, round, good looking and these days much talked about, costly vegetable was introduced in Indian staple food only 250 years back, it has surreptitiously taken the place which cannot be replaced. There is a hue and cry about the Tomato Rs 200 per kilogram, everywhere in India right now.

Tomato the green, red, yellow, big, small, bright and shining is loved as a toast and zing to the vegetables, curries, lentils thrown in to add colour, taste and make any food palatable. It was not native to Indian subcontinent, Asia or Africa but to South and Central America only. In 1519, a business man brought the seeds to Europe and people started cultivating tomatoes for their ornamental curiosities but was not eaten. Most likely the first variety to reach Europe was yellow in colour since in Spain and Italy it was called Pome d’oro meaning yellow Apples. Italy was the first to embrace and cultivate tomatoes outside South America. May be this is the reason of using Tomato sauce sparingly in pizzas by Italians.

The French referred to tomatoes as Pommes d”amour or love apples as they thought them to have stimulating aphrodisiacal properties. In some western countries it was first known as wolf peach. Peach because it was round and yellow but fed to wolves. The English word Tomato comes from Spanish word Tomate. Though tomatoes were not adopted easily as this bright and shining fruit was eyed with suspicion for a long time in Europe. It went to America with the Europeans who settled there in large numbers in 18th and 19th century.

Portuguese introduced tomate in Indian subcontinent in the 16th century but people did not fit it in the vast Indian cuisine. It remained limited only for Portuguese consumption. It was much later when British laid the foundation of their Indian Empire, Indians took to tomatoes kindly. European sailors, traders, soldiers, missionaries, explorers and colonial officers introduced tomato along with other things to the subcontinent. Indian cooks who served in the British kitchens learnt how to use tomato as soup, broths and Shorba.

Hindus especially Brahmans even today don’t use tomatoes on Religious ceremonies be it any pooja, Shraad or yagna (Havan) like onion or garlic. I asked my mother why do Hindus put tomatoes in the category of onion and garlic, which is considered Tamsik , hot for the body whereas tomato is cooling . She had no clue. The answer I found was that perhaps tomatoes came from foreign shores besides it had no mention in Ayurveda or our scriptures. For a long time, tomato was considered as a brother of brinjals because of certain similarities in growth cycle and leaves. Till that time Indians used Tamarind pulp, coconut, yogurt as thickening material in different dishes.

My Saurashtrian mother in law called tomato as tamata. Rightly so, the Portuguese must have introduced it in Daman and Diu as it must have reached Gujarat’s vast shores like Batata (potato). Gujarati name for Alu / potato is Batata, grown in 17th century for the first time in Indian subcontinent was cultivated along western coast. Britishers introduced Potatoes in Northern India, with the adopted name of yam from Sanskrit Allum. Similarly, tomata was Tamatar in North and central India. It was similarly introduced in Kashmir by Britishers and there also people called it Ruwangan, something associated with wangan, Brinjal. The delicacy wangan Tamatar is a tasty dish of Kashmiri cuisine. The only difference between the Kashmiris and rest of india during the high Tomato prices is that Kashmiris still hold on to their traditional wisdom of drying vegetables, more so the tomatoes, which are sun dried, a practice of hundreds of years. In Kashmir most of the vegetables are sun dried for the use during winters. This culture was a means to survive harsh winters, when snow covered the soil from December to March and nothing grew from October to March. Vegetables were cut in different shapes and sizes, put on a sheet under the sun, covered by a Malmal cloth and left to dry. Garlands of few vegetables like bottle gourd, brinjals, turnip, red chillies etc. would be seen hanging on the outside walls of the houses in Autumn. Tomatoes were sun dried so it would give them a firm texture and unique sweet tart flavour. These were used in winter when there were no fresh tomatoes available like other vegetables.

Today vegetables from Jammu and Punjab come easily in winters through the road connecting Jammu, Anantnag and Srinagar. This was possible only after Jawahar Tunnel was made in 1956, In the Pir Panjal range on its highest peak of Manimahesh kailash peak. Banihal tunnel another name for Jawahar tunnel connects Banihal and qazigund round the year. Prior to 1956, the road to Jammu was to travel on this mountain range on foot, horses and horse carts. Some people would get injured, die, fall off cliffs during rain and snow. This arduous journey was taken only by few, who could not afford to take the long route of Kashmir, Muzaffarabad (presently Pakistan occupied Kashmir), Muree, Rawalpindi, Lahore (Now Pakistan) and Dilli. No one would be back before one month or more, from Srinagar to Dilli which today takes half an hour by Aeroplane. If someone got any vegetables from anywhere in winter, it would be spring by the time he reached back to the valley. In such difficult winters, using dried vegetables was the best practice. Today we get every vegetable from any corner of the world with the click of a finger. Sun dried tomatoes are extremely popular now and are used in wide variety of dishes, soups, salads, pasta, pizza in meat and fish as a delicacy because of its particular taste. They also are a quick snack on their own. It has a shelf life of 6-9 months, when packed in malmal cloth or a tight plastic bag. I would suggest keeping them in fridge in a hot climate like Gujarat. Ripe tomatoes when cheap in winters here, can be sun dried. Another way is to cut the tomato in half, sprinkle with sea salt, lay on mats or cloth under heat until moisture is eliminated. Do cover with malmal cloth or a net otherwise the over dust may sprinkle its flavour. Drying intensifies their flavour, tart acidity and appeal in creamy texture. This is a ready supply of tomatoes all year long. There will be no tension of price rise of tomatoes, come what may.

Italians had taken early to sun dried tomatoes and even today they rehydrate them by marinating with oil or vinegar, with added zing of herbs and spices. If you are in Rome, Florence or Venice, do order a dish with sun dried tomatoes, I bet you will love it. Ask for Ruwangan flavoured dish, when in Kashmir. You will spend the same amount of money for tomato in Italy, tamatar in Dilli and tamata in Gujarat, provided it is Sun dried.

-Kusum Kaull Vyass

TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM VS MODERN CURRICULUM: CHOOSE THE LATTER 

By Syed Mustafa Ahmad 

Curriculum has been defined in many ways according to the needs  of the times.  Some decades ago, traditional curriculum was in dominance. It is  also called bookish curriculum. It focuses  on books, exams, discipline, fixed time tables, paper degrees,etc. However, it is  against the individual differences. Same kind of syllabus was for different children. There is no scope for critical thinking. Status quo reigns everywhere.  

      But with the revolution in information technology, the need for the modern curriculum has increased more than before. The present age is the age of AI, Robotics, Quantum mechanics, etc. Innovation is the order of the day. Men have started to colonize other celestial bodies. There are chances of life on other planets  as well. The calculations that used to take thousands of years, are done in few seconds. Men have surpassed the speed of light. Gene scissors are in the market to protect us from lethal diseases. Carcinogenic diseases are controlled. In this way, there can be no liking for the traditional curriculum that only choked the rational voices. Let us contrast both curricula in some detail.

      First is that the traditional curriculum is about books. Books are more important than children. Education is imparted in specialized buildings. There are strict teachers and management. There are fixed classes in a day. Teachers prepare what they have to teach in a particular period. They try their best to complete the syllabi. They, by hook or crook, complete their syllabi and prepare students for examinations while the modern curriculum is child-based. All the focus is on  a child. His or her differences are known in the beginning. His or her psychology is understood so that teaching or learning becomes easy and fruitful. Here, a child is free to learn according to his or her taste. There are no specialized buildings for this curriculum. A child learns everywhere. He is trained in such a way that every experience becomes learning for him. He looks at animals. He doesn’t dread them. In cases of beautiful landscapes, he or she tries to know its Creator. This is the best characteristic of the modern curriculum.

       Second is that the traditional curriculum is exam-dominated. Children, from the very beginning, are frightened that they have to pass with flying colors. They are in constant fear that if they don’t get a distinction or a position, they will be treated harshly. They, instead of reading textbooks, find short cut ways to get good marks. In this way, they become addicted to the hand made notes and guides prepared by some unknown persons. They learn questions and answers without knowing their crux. They become good in rote learning. In this way, the marvellous brains are lost. However, in case of the modern curriculum, there is no space for exams. A child learns different subjects and skills at the same time to be the master of those subjects or skills. He or she is expert in dealing with his or her subject because he or she likes to learn those very subjects. There is no thrust upon them. They learn what they learn. They use their creative powers to go against the views of their teachers. Children don’t believe blindly. Curriculum teachers them to criticize.

      Third and last is paper degrees. In the traditional curriculum, degrees matter the most. A teacher without a particular degree is deemed unfit for teaching. However, he or she may be expert in his or her subject but she or he does not possess the required degree, he or she is unfit for that very post. But in case of the modern curriculum, there is no need for paper degrees. A rickshaw puller can be an engineer. Jack Ma, the founder of Ali Baba, can be the source of inspiration for those who have doctorates in many subjects. 

       In short, there should be such kind of curriculum that can know the individual differences in  children. Until and unless the individual differences are unknown, we cannot think of any progress. Let us embrace the curriculum that makes child a child. I request parents and teachers to embrace the curriculum that is reasonable. Overall, we are living in the age of Science and technology which needs a totally different approach.  Hope good sense prevails among all of us.

Title:-  RIPPLES OF LIFE

By Monalisa Parida

Stop dimming your light for others 

Glow,

Shine,

Illuminate, 

Dazzle them,

Set them as pyrotechnics.

Just never hide your light, 

Making them comfortable 

Was never your responsibility. 

Once you stop counting 

The leaves you lose 

You will eventually stand tall

And wait for the new ones to grow. 

You know the purpose of life 

Is not to just survive 

But to live. 

Time waits for no one 

And time is moving constantly!

Of course 

You hold on to your breath, 

And the moments you’re given, 

To make more memories, 

And savour the details. 

You cannot stop this river 

But you can resist its flow.

Ebbing is existence and flooding is life.

And the ripples are memoirs.

Bio:- Monalisa Parida is a post graduate student of English literature from India, Odisha and a prolific poetess. She  is very active in social media platforms and her poems have also been translated into different  languages and publish in various e-journals.

   She has got 100 international award for writing poetry. Her poems have been publishing international e-journals “New York parrot”, “The Writers Club” (USA), “Suriyadoya literary  foundation”, “kabita Minar”, “Indian Periodical” (India) and “Offline Thinker “, “The Gorkha Times “ ( Nepal), “The Light House”(Portugal), “Bharatvision”(Romania), “International cultural forum for humanity and creativity”(Aleppo, Syria), “Atunispoetry.com”(Singapore) etc. And also published in various newspapers like “The Punjabi Writer Weekly(USA)”,  “News Kashmir (J&K, India)”, Republic of Sungurlu (Turkey)” etc.

One of  her poem published an American anthology named “The Literary Parrot Series-1 and  series-2 respectively (New York, USA)”. Her poems have been translated in various languages like Hindi, Bengali, Turkish, Persian, Romanian etc.  And she is the author of the book “Search For Serenity”, “My Favourite Grammar”, “Paradigm”, “Beyond Gorgeous”.

Lalit Suri hospitality group

promotes Millet diet in grand fashion 

Rameez Makhdoomi/ Farzana Mumtaz 

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly at its 75th session declared 2023 the International Year of Millets.

To create domestic and global demand and to provide nutritional food to the people, Government of India had proposed to the United Nations for declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.

In a significant development related to it, 

Shree Anna’: Millet menu has been  introduced at prestigious Lalit Hotel Srinagar. 

Eminent voices expressed their delight over the same as 2023 is the global year of millets and India is the largest producer of Millets. 

Lalit Suri Hospitality group has taken a lead in being symbol of ethos of Indian millets

The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group on Wednesday, 18 July, 2023  launched ‘Shree Anna’- a nationwide promotion of India’s millets, in support of the country’s Millet Mission.

Lalit Hotel Srinagar in this regard organised an impressive function on 18 July, 2023.

While talking to News Kashmir , The Union Territory Lieutenant Governor, Advisor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar stated ” Diet is paramount constituent of human life, apart from sleep it plays vital role in human survival and healthy growth.  INDIA has played a great role in getting 2023 declared as International year of millets. It is great for our overall  health if we consume Millet rich diet.  Millets are genetically very much resistant  to  climate change and also grow in less fertile soil.  Millets taste even better than GRAINS  or any other food item. They require very less pesticides and are thus environmentally friendly. In this age of growing disease like Diabetes and Cancer, millets offer good prospects as Diet. Shree Anna’: Millet menu introduced at prestigious Lalit Hotel Srinagar is not only healthy but tasty too and it is a commendable effort. “

We need to bear in mind that The theme for the International Year of Millets 2023 (IYM) is “Harnessing the untapped potential of millets for food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Sane Voices are praising Lalit Suri Hospitality Group for taking the promotion of millets as forward.

       Need for  sex Education in Schools

Syed Mustafa Ahmad 

One of the much debated topics across the world is the importance of sex  education in schools. Sex education refers to a broad programme designed to impart knowledge/ training regarding values, attitudes and practices affecting family relationship. Its main objective is the transfiguration of a male child into manhood and a female child into womanhood. Sex is still considered a taboo in India. Parents feel embarrassed to talk openly with their children in this regard. Due to ignorance, children fall victim to many diseases like  AIDS and unwanted pregnancies, etc. So, sex education is necessary to be introduced in the school for the benefit of the youth of our country.

      Sex education comprises sexual development, affection, body image and gender roles. In other words, it is about learning how we grow, reproduce and change over the years. It also includes a positive view of sex. If the youngsters learn about sex objectively, they would be more careful before indulging in sex secretly. Sex is a natural part of life and when questions arise, they can be discussed in a matured way.

      The sole aim of such an education is to teach children to establish and accept the role and responsibility of their own gender by acquiring knowledge of sex. Understanding the differences and similarities between two genders; in terms of body and mind will set up a foundation for the future development in the their acquaintance with friends and lovers and their interpersonal relationship. It will also help to develop emotionally stable children and adolescents who feel sufficiently secure and adequate to make decisions regarding their conduct without being carried away by their emotions. 

       If we were to go the data published by WHO, sex education should be imparted to children who are 12 years and above. It has also been seen that it is the age group of 12 to 19 years that counts for some 34% of the HIV infected person in the world. Experts claim that “ Youth in India needs sex education more than the youth in any other country since  child marriage ensures that one not only have sex at a young age, but girls also have teenage pregnancy”. In a world full of exploitation, children are the most vulnerable section of the society. They should be taught between the good touch and the bad touch in order to protect themselves from various forms of child abuse.

      If a regular teacher tries to talk about this topic with students, it can get awkward and uncomfortable, but it can never be vulgar. These sessions are always held by people who are trained to do it. Counsellors who can talk about these subjects without blinking an eyelid, are the ones who help in making the students confident too. Parents in India are known to hide their love towards each other, in front of their children. The children grow up to believe that love is a taboo and it is improper to display one’s affection in public. Parents must understand the psyche of their children. They must share with their children the love they share and behave like normal friends.

      Sex education is a part of the syllabus from class 7 onwards anyway, when the students learn about the reproductive system in their biology classes. There are so many other issues that kids of this age group face and need to be sensitized about. It once happened  with me that in the  coaching centre, when the diagram of the female reproductive system came in front of the eyes of the male students, they blushed. They couldn’t understand what they were  being taught. This situation should change. It should be a smooth flow of things. Moreover, topics like dealing with rejections, getting too serious in relationships, friendships, etc., should be taught at the earliest.

      Such guidance is much needed in the present times of information overload. In fact, parents feel that it is the schools that have to be proactive and arrange for classes and sessions like these, so that the day the child is curious, he or she gets answers from trained professionals and not from some anonymous website. The biggest advantage of sex education in India is that it will help the country fight against the tremendous spread of AIDS. Also, sexual exploitation is spreading at a high rate wherein the small kids are the highest prone to such incidents.

      Last but not the least, awareness of sex education is the most significant factor necessary to lead a secure life. Usual educational practices are very simple to learn but we cannot consider sex education on the Same line. It comprises physiological, psychological and social issues, especially when we think of including it as a part of academic syllabus. As these complications occur, a question may arise in the minds of people about the need for sex education providing to the children. While children reach teenage level, lack of sex education may lead the way to their unusual behavior. If not corrected at the exact time, it may generate problems of immature misbehavior in these children’s lives.

      Now, it is high time for introducing sex education in school. This will create a liberal thinking among the youth and give them a safer, healthier life style. Many psychologists argued that sex education has the potential to liberate the young generation from socially organized sexual oppression. It helps them to overcome feelings of guilt and shame and they start to see the world in a matured way. Thus, we can say that the proper sex education can ensure a safer, healthier life style for the youth. The governments both at the centre level and at the state level should create an atmosphere  of liberalism,  where there is no shallow mind-set of approaching sex as something dirty and avoidable. All have to contribute in this regard. Many children have become the scapegoats. We won’t like more to fall into this trap. Religious institutions should also show interest in this matter. Trained scholars should be brought in to teach the adolescents.  Moreover, adolescents should be given a chance to talk to each other. It will prove beneficial  in the long run. My experience is that there is a wide chasm between the male adolescents and the female adolescents. This gap has to be bridged. In short, our schools have to act like the whole society. 

References:1) Arihant Books on Sex Education and Gender Equality 

2) IAS NOTES ON GENDER EQUALITY AND SEX EDUCATION 

Mistakes are a part of life 

BY: Syed Mustafa Ahmad

( The Writer is from Hajibagh, Budgam)】

Mistakes are a part of life. A human being is capable of doing mistakes. Some mistakes are major while some are minor.  Some have negligible repercussions while some  leave long-lasting results.  But the truth is that mistakes happen with a human being.  This world is created in such a fashion that there are cent percent chances of going astray.  Holding tightly to religious principles can go loose and the person is thrown into the abyss of wrongdoings.  In this Universe,  there is constant tussle between evil and good. It has usually been observed that evil triumphs at the end of the day, whatever the reasons. 

         If a mistake is committed by a person,  what is to be done? Is the person convicted in a court of trial or is the person be given another chance to mend his or her ways? Depending upon the mistake,  the verdict or decision should be accordingly made. However,  mercy is more powerful than cruelty.  God is full of mercy.  So, a human being must be merciful in all his or her activities. 

       But in today’s world, paradoxical things  take place.  One who is guilty of committing blunders, is set free, while the person who has done a minor mistake,  is taken to the task.  It is the visible mockery of the rule of law. The person who loots his or her country,  is given special treatment, while on the other hand,  the person  who consciously or unconsciously is caught doing something  opposite to society,  is thrown into a prison or beaten to the pulp. We have a range of examples where minor mistakes have taken heavy toll of those people who commit the mistakes. 

         In order to live a happy life, mistakes must be distinguished.  The major mistakes,  after thorough checking,  must be dealt accordingly.  In the same vein, the minor mistakes  must be neglected after proper counselling.  The most important thing to know about the origin of mistakes is why mistakes are done. Why do people do mistakes? This question  is quite important.  It is better to stop an evil than to punish an evildoer.  In our society,  the evildoers  are beaten, while the evil itself is roaming freely.  Evil has liberty to go where it wants to go. It has no bars. The fact of the matter is that it is generally welcomed.  

          Let us try to be merciful as much as we can. Mistakes happen, but let us forgive each other.  Punishing others is quite easy. But forgiving has more value in the eyes of God.

The Style Whisperer: Transforming Wardrobes, Transforming Lives

Rise of Oyindrila Ray Ghosh

By Rameez Makhdoomi 

In the world of fashion, few roles are as critical as that of a stylist. Fashion stylists are responsible for

creating looks that turn heads, define trends, and make celebrities stand out. Rameez Makhdoomi

chats with Oyindrila Ray Ghosh, India’s top celebrity fashion stylist who has made a name for herself

in an industry that millions can only dream of being a part of.

From being a two time TEDxSpeaker, fashion designer, influencer, columnist, marketing and branding

expert to having India’s top Bollywood stars and entrepreneurs as clients, Oyindrila is a force to reckon with in the fashion industry.

From humble beginnings in New Delhi, Oyindrila has always had a passion for fashion from a young

age.Oyindrila’s journey to success was not easy, and she had to start from the bottom as an outsider

with contacts in the fashion industry working her way up. However, her hard work and dedication paid

off, and today, Oyindrila is a celebrated fashion stylist, known for her signature style and ability to

create unique and eye-catching looks. Her clients include some of the biggest names in the Indian entertainment industry and global luxury, fashion and lifestyle brands.

Oyindrila’s approach to styling is all about bringing out the individuality of her clients. She aims to utilise the power of fashion and style not only to transform wardrobes but also enhance her client’s

personality, confidence and life. She works closely with each of her clients to understand their

personality, style, and preferences, and creates looks that reflect their unique identity.

Oyindrila’s work has been featured in numerous magazines and publications, and she has won

several awards for her work in the fashion industry. She has also become a role model for young

women who aspire to make it in the fashion world, inspiring them with her journey to making it in a

competitive industry like fashion.

One of Oyindrila’s most notable achievements was her work with Bollywood actress Mouni Roy for an

ad campaign. The looks created were praised by fans and the actress looked like a princess in every

outfit.

When asked about her secret sauce to be a successful celebrity stylist, she also emphasises on the

importance of listening to her clients and working closely with them to create looks that they feel

confident and comfortable in.

Oyindrila is constantly pushing the boundaries of fashion and styling with her unique perspective. Her

talent, drive, and passion has made her a sought-after stylist in the industry. Oyindrila’s future looks

bright, and she shows no signs of slowing down. There is no doubt that Oyindrila will continue to be a

force to be reckoned with in the world of fashion and an inspiration to youngsters from outside the industry you aspire to make it in the world of fashion.

By Syed Irfan Hashmi 

“

Where the noble people are after vulgarity

How will the devils of this nation be?

To destroy a rose garden

Just one owl is enough 

There is an owl on every branch here, 

You can anticipate the consequences.”

What is more important and what life purpose lies in ? 

The people have lost the meaning and purpose of life and have devoted themselves towards an artificial life. Life means to be authentic and real, all the time to spread love and compassion towards others. Life is to explore the beauties and besties protect the natural laws to induce positivity and harmony in the world. Life is dynamic, practical and also not permanent, everyone in this world has to die which is the ultimate truth. People live their lives as they have never to  leave this world. The cruelty is at peak in the world. No body cares about human rights violations. It is the time where human has no value, everyday thousands and thousands innocent are being killed around the globe. This can never be the purpose of life to live like. 

As we see the current global situation which is worst in all circumstances you can see wars and others illegal, legal conflicts causes innocent killing, illegal harassment as live example Afghanistan, Palestine, Seria, Ukraine and many other countries involve in spreading international terrorism across the globe. 

In life ethics is very important and we lack ethics in today’s education system. Practically if we see there is no one institution in the world who is genuinely working on ethical principles, Moral obligations etc. This is one of the important aspect which encourages the morality and humanity into thinking ideologies to live in peace. People have lost their ethical and moral characteristics. The concept of oneness is no where existing in the  world. This is the peak time of inhumanity and injustice going on around the globe. 

A common man everywhere is suffering; lets do individual approach to work on spreading love and compassion to recover peace and prosperity around the globe. It becomes the responsibility of every individual to recognise their responsibilities and follow on them continuously and aware others about the same. Life purpose meets up when you talk humbly and take care of all around you. There are people who worship and assume themselves as patrons of God, the political and Religious leaders such arrogance has to  be shunned and true love promoted.

But in real sense they are owls to destroy the garden. The real meaning lies in service to humanity. 

The biggest problem is people think only about themselves. They don’t care about others. To create a we feeling among the general public is very important issue to save this world before it is too late. We are one and will serve as one will fight as one will grow as one is the actual purpose to save humanity and natural laws. Collectively we can change and can bring a positive impact to build a strong and prosperous Nations. 

Life is a precious gift of God and a beautiful small journey. Live it the fullest and enjoy the beauty and Nature around you. Respect and help everyone in need without expecting anything in return. Begin to spread love and compassion around you. Life is very short no one has to live forever, Do what God allows  you to do and forbid what God denies to do. 

Syed Irfan Hashmi a Freelance Journalist & Socio-Political Activist appeal all Global Leaders, common masses kindly look of the situation around the globe and do the needful to save humanity and morality principles which are daily being murdered without any hindrance. Be the ambassadors of peace spread love and compassion to prevail peace and harmony in the world.

Let’s together build a green and prosperous world all around. Let’s protect our earth. Let’s change our thoughts to change the world with love, peace and harmony.

‘’ CHANGE YOUR THOUGHT AND CHANGE YOUR WORLD”

The Writer is socio-Political Activist 

SYED IRFAN HASHMI

–

The making of new Indian Parliament Building 

Realizing People’s Aspirations

Mohammad Adnaan

The power of the Indian democratic system manifests in our Parliament, which weathered the Indian freedom struggle from colonial rule and witnessed many historical milestones. The existing building served as independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution of India. Thus, conserving and rejuvenating the rich heritage of the Parliament building is a matter of national importance. 

An icon of India’s democratic spirit, the Parliament building sits at the heart of the Central Vista. India’s present Parliament House is a colonial-era building designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, which took six years to construct (1921-1927). Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council. The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space. In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India. The building had to be modified to a large extent to suit the purpose of a modern Parliament.

“India is the mother of democracy. It is also the foundation of global democracy. Democracy is our ‘Sanskaar’, idea & tradition,” Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has said in his first address from India’s new Parliament building on May 28, 2023 in a ceremony which began with an early morning havan and multi-faith prayer ceremony. 

Earlier, PM Modi installed the sacred ‘Sengol’ in the Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker’s chair, after performing puja. He was handed over the historic ‘Sengol’ by Adheenams before it was installed by the prime minister in the new Parliament building.

After initial deliberations about the shape of the building, a circular shape was finalised by both the architects, Herbert Baker and Sir Edwin Lutyens as that would give the feel of a colosseum design for the Council House. It is popularly believed that the unique circular shape of the Chausath Yogini temple in Morena, (Madhya Pradesh) had inspired the design of the Council House, though there are no historical proofs for this.

The Parliament House building construction was started in 1921 and commissioned in 1927. It is almost 100 years old and a Heritage Grade-I building. Over the years, the parliamentary activities and the number of people working therein and visitors have increased manifold. There is no record or document of the original design of the building. Therefore, the new constructions and modifications have been done in an ad-hoc manner. For example, two new storeys constructed in 1956 over the outer circular part of the building hid the dome of the Central Hall and changed the facade of the original building. Further, the coverings of Jaali windows have reduced the natural light in the halls of two houses of the Parliament. Therefore, it is showing signs of distress and over-utilization and is not able to meet the current requirements in terms of space, amenities and technology.

The present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a full-fledged democracy. The number of Lok Sabha seats has remained unaltered at 545 based on the delimitation carried out on the basis of 1971 Census. It is likely to increase substantially after 2026 as the freeze on total number of seats is only till 2026. The seating arrangements are cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row. The Central Hall has seating capacity only for 440 persons. When the Joint Sessions are held, the problem of limited seats amplifies. Due to limited space for movement, it is also a huge security risk.

Over the period addition in services like water supply lines, sewer lines, air conditioning, fire-fighting, CCTV, Audio Video system, which were not originally planned, have led to seepages and destroyed the overall aesthetics of the building. The fire safety is a major concern as the building is not designed according to the present fire norms. Numerous new electric cables have been put up which are potential fire hazard.

The new building is triangular in shape, mostly because the plot of land that it is built on is a triangle. According to architect Bimal Patel, the shape is also a nod to the sacred geometry in different religions. Its design and materials are meant to complement the old Parliament, with the two buildings expected to function as one complex.

The new Parliament building has three storeys and a built-up area of 64,500 sqm. The Lok Sabha chamber will have 888 seats, up from the existing 543, with the option of expanded seating up to 1,272. The Lok Sabha will be used for joint sittings of both Houses in the absence of a Central Hall, which was the fulcrum of the old building.

The building has three ceremonial entrances on three sides for the President, the Vice-President, the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Prime Minister. The entrance for the public, including visitors for the Parliament tour, is likely to be on Parliament Street, near the Press Trust of India building, where a temporary reception has been functioning throughout the construction period.

Built using green construction techniques, the new building is supposed to reduce electricity consumption by 30 per cent, compared to the old one. Rainwater-harvesting and water-recycling systems have been included. It has been designed to be more space efficient, and meant to function for the next 150 years, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

As per building codes, since Delhi is in seismic zone-V, the building is primed to be earthquake-safe. While arguing against the legal challenges to the project, the government had said the existing Parliament building was at risk from earthquakes.

The new Lok Sabha chamber has a peacock theme, with designs drawn from the national bird’s feathers carved on the walls and ceiling, complemented by teal carpets. The Rajya Sabha chamber has been decorated with the lotus as its theme, with red carpets. In both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, two MPs will be able to sit on one bench and each MP will have a touch screen on the desk.

The Rajya Sabha chamber can accommodate 384 Members of Parliament (MPs), as opposed to the existing capacity of 250. The increased capacity of both chambers is meant to cater to any future increase in the number of MPs following delimitation.

For the interior and exterior of the building, construction materials have been brought in from across the country, including sandstone from Sarmathura in Dholpur and granite from Lakha village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Similarly, the wood used in the decor is from Nagpur and craftsmen from Mumbai have led the wooden architecture design. Bhadohi weavers from Uttar Pradesh have made the traditional hand-knotted carpets for the building.

The 16-foot-tall bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which has been the site of numerous protests and gatherings by MPs and photo-ops for students, will remain on the lawn between the old and new buildings. The statue, which was installed at the main entrance of the Parliament in 1993, was shifted during construction. Made by Padma Bhushan-awardee sculptor Ram V Sutar, the statue now faces the old building, near the entrance used by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The building is replete with national symbols, including the national emblem — the Lion Capital of Ashoka — that weighs 9,500 kg and is 6.5 metres in height, and is visible from a distance. To support this massive bronze sculpture, a structure of 6,500 kg was constructed on top of the central foyer. At the entrance, the Ashoka chakra and the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ have been carved in stone.

Before being selected as the site for the new Parliament building, the 9.5-acre plot opposite the old Parliament House was earmarked for “recreational use” in the Delhi Masterplan 2021. While it was supposed to be developed as a park, in reality the site was used for parking and to house utilities for the Parliament complex. The Delhi Development Authority changed the land-use of the plot to “Parliament House” in March 2020.

(The author can be mailed at madnaanmha@gmail.com)