New Delhi:
Today is the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of India's Parliament. And as Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha celebrate the occasion with special sittings, we take a look at the changes in Parliament in these 60 years.
India became a Republic on November 26, 1949. But it took a couple more years before the first general elections were held in 1951-52.
Constituted on April 17, 1952, the Lok Sabha held its first session a month later, starting May 13.
One of the first things Parliament acted on was how to give land to the landless through Land reforms act. And it was also the age of conviction. Lal Bahadur Shashtri quit as Railways Minister from Jawaharlal Nehru's Cabinet after an accident.
But as India evolved as a democracy, the country's politics became sensitive to several historical wrongs trying to set it right.
So, as we marched on the path of democracy, did we falter as a nation?
"Parliament used to function well 60 years ago and now also it's doing its duty," Sharad Yadav, Convenor, NDA.
"I guess the take away from last 60 years is that people who get elected to this august House must conduct themselves with more dignity, lead by example whereby nobody is able to then belittle the institution of Parliament because of the conduct of parliamentarians," said Congress MP Manish Tewari.
But those who drafted the Constitution would be proud that their legacy has turned out to be a great leveller.
Bhagwati Devi, a stone quarry worker from Gaya, and Phoolan Devi, a dreaded former dacoit from Chambal, have an equal opportunity to legislate at the highest levels of the country just like their more privileged counterparts.
But it's equally true that money power has also become a constant companion of the Indian democracy - an allegation that's only got stronger with the Election Commission recently countermanding the Rajya Sabha elections after charges of money power during elections.
Television too changed the rules of the game.
If there was no running away from moments of embarrassment for the MP, it also provided an opportunity to force a televised disruption lending a new meaning to the term - playing to the gallery.
And in this game, if the numbers are not on your side then there is every chance that your voice drowns out.
Undoubtedly, there are miles to go and milestones to make 60 years perhaps a period that's not too long. Yet, it's a shining example of a working and evolving democracy that's standing firm even as our neighbours struggle with parliamentary democracy.