National Emblem of India

In news–The Prime Minister of India has recently unveiled the National Emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament building.

About the National Emblem cast-

Cast at the top of the Central Foyer of the new Parliament building, the 6.5-metre-high National Emblem is made of bronze, and weighs 9,500 kg.
A supporting structure of steel weighing around 6,500 kg has been constructed to support the Emblem.
In its initial plan, the new Parliament was to be crowned with a spire, but it was replaced with the design of the Ashoka emblem.
The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, an ancient sculpture dating back to 280 BCE during the reign of the Maurya Empire.
The statue is a three dimensional emblem showing four lions.
It became the emblem of the Dominion of India in December 1947, and later the emblem of the Republic of India.
On 26 January 1950, a representation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka placed above the motto, Satyameva Jayate( a quote from Mundaka Upanishad), was adopted as the State Emblem of India
The emblem consisted of a representation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath enclosed within a rectangular frame.
The emblem forms a part of the official letterhead of the Government of India and appears on all Indian currency as well.
The Ashoka Chakra (Ashoka wheel) on its base features in the centre of the national flag of India.
The usage of the emblem is regulated and restricted under State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 under which, no individual or private organisation is permitted to use the emblem for official correspondence.
The actual Sarnath capital features four Asiatic lions standing back to back, symbolising power, courage, confidence, and pride, mounted on a circular base.
At the bottom is a horse and a bull, and at its centre is a Dharma chakra. The bull represents hard work and steadfastness, while the horse represents loyalty, speed, and energy. The bell-shaped lotus beneath the abacus has been omitted.
The abacus is girded with a frieze of sculptures in high relief of The Lion of the North, The Horse of the West, The Bull of the South and The Elephant of the East, separated by intervening wheels, over a lotus in full bloom, exemplifying the fountainhead of life and creative inspiration.
Carved from a single block of sandstone, the polished capital is crowned by the Wheel of the Law.

About new Parliament building-

The new building will have six granite statues of important personalities, four galleries each for the two Houses of Parliament, three ceremonial foyers, three India galleries, and one Constitution gallery.
Each wall in the building will have a dominant theme — dedicated, for instance, to the contribution of tribal leaders, or to showcasing the contribution of women.
Displays including a mix of portraits, illustrative arts, installations, sculptures, and decorative art will frame storylines.

Bimal Patel of HCP Designs, Ahmedabad, is the architect in charge of the building, which is triangular in shape, and incorporates architectural styles from around India.
The building is coming up adjacent to the existing Parliament complex, and is of almost the same size.
The building is designed to be earthquake-resistant. The central foyer has been renamed the Constitution Hall as it is expected to display the Constitution for public viewing. A library will also come up near the central foyer.
The new complex has 888 seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber.
Unlike the present Parliament building, there is no Central Hall, and the Lok Sabha chamber will be able to house 1,272 members in case of a joint session.
The building will have an open-sky area of 2,000 sq metre for a banyan tree.
The existing building was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker who were responsible for the planning and construction of New Delhi.
It was inaugurated in January 18, 1927, by then Governor General of India Lord Irwin.
The foundation stone for the new building was laid by the Prime Minister in December 2020, nearly a century after the foundation for the existing Parliament was laid by the Duke of Connaught on February 12, 1921.
The new Parliament building will most likely be completed in time by October-November 2022.
The new Parliament building project was awarded to Tata Projects for Rs 971 crore. The estimated project cost has shot up by nearly 24 per cent to about Rs 1,200 crore due to additional works, changes in construction plan, and pandemic-related delays.
The building is part of the Central Vista Project, which also includes a joint central secretariat, revamp of the Rajpath, a new Prime Minister’s residence, a new Prime Minister’s Office, and a new Vice-President’s enclave.