Nehru jacket, Manipuri turban: New uniforms on the cards for Parliament staff

The government is introducing new staff uniforms for an upcoming Parliamentary session at the new Parliament building in New Delhi, sources told Zee Business. A special, five-day session of the Parliament is scheduled to begin on September 18, the day the members are likely to bid farewell to the existing, British-era building. 

What do the new uniforms look like?

While secretariat staff will sport Nehru jackets of magenta or deep pink shade, security officers will don a camouflage uniform, according to the sources. Marshals of both houses of the Parliament—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha—will appear in new uniforms, including Manipuri turbans. Security personnel will be seen in camouflage shades, instead of the current safari suits. Both the upper and lower houses of the Parliament will have the same uniforms for staff.

All the uniforms have been designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

Here’s a glimpse of the new uniforms of Parliament staff: 

When will the special Parliamentary session begin?

The first sitting of the special session is slated to take place in the old building of Parliament, and the members will be transferred to the new building on September 19, which coincides with the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The day will be dedicated to discussions about the construction and historical significance of the old building. 

The members’ entry into the new building on the next day will follow traditional prayers. According to the sources, the first day in the new building can see a joint session of both houses of the Parliament. 

An aerial view of the new Parliament building in New Delhi | Image: Reuters

Where is the new Parliament building located?

The triangular-shaped complex is just across from the old, circular heritage building built by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in 1927, two decades before the country's Independence from the British Raj.

When was the new building inaugurated?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new parliament building on May 28. 

The new Parliament building is located within a modern complex, as part of the government's grand plan to give a makeover to the British colonial-era architecture in the nation's capital.
Other than modern technology, the new building has a total of 1,272 seats in two chambers, nearly 500 more than the old building, and at least three times as much space to accommodate new lawmakers.

What will happen to the old Parliament building?

The old building will be converted into a museum.

(With inputs from agencies)