Context:– In the upcoming inauguration of the new Parliament building, a significant item called the ‘Sengol’ sceptre will be installed at a prominent spot.
Meaning and Making of ‘Sengol’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming inauguration of the new Parliamentary building on Sunday, May 28, will feature a symbolic gesture that
harks back to India’s independence in 1947. The ceremony will see the placement of a ‘Sengol,’ a Tamil word meaning ‘spectre,’ which was originally handed over by Lord Mountbatten to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to commemorate the country’s independence.
Read also:- Yuan Wang 5
The decision to include the ‘Sengol’ in the ceremony came after PM Modi discovered this historical detail and chose
the Parliament’s inauguration day as the ideal occasion to present it to the nation, according to Union Minister Amit Shah.
Read also:- JAWAHARLAL NEHRU (1889-64)
‘Sengol’ As Symbol Of Succession
The concept of the ‘Sengol’ emerged when Lord Mountbatten asked Jawaharlal Nehru to choose a symbol to represent
India’s attainment of independence. Nehru sought the advice of C Rajapogalachari, the last Governor-General of India,
who suggested adopting the Tamil tradition of presenting a spectre to a new king upon assuming power. Nehru readily agreed to the idea, and Rajaji was entrusted with creating the specter.
Rajaji enlisted the help of Thiruvadunthurai Aadheenam, who, in turn, assigned the responsibility of crafting the spectre to the 20th
Gurumaha Sannithanam Sri La Sri Ambalavana Desika Swamigal, as reported by The New Indian Express. The specter was fashioned out of gold, with a bull (Nandhi) placed atop it.
Read also:- Indian National Congress Sessions
Minutes before India’s independence on August 14, 1947, Sri La Sri Kumaraswamy Thambiran received the spectre from Lord Mountbatten. In the presence of Odhuvaar and saints reciting hymns, the Swami sprinkled holy water. As they reached the final verses of a pathigam,
Sri La Sri Kumaraswamy Thambiran presented the spectre to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who went on to deliver his historic ‘Tryst with Destiny‘ speech.
The inclusion of the ‘Sengol’ in the Parliament building inauguration seeks to revive this ancient tradition and commemorate India’s independence as the nation enters a new chapter in its democratic journey.
Read also:- Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
What is Sengol?,What is Sengol?
