PM Modi to inaugurate centenary memorial pillar in Bihar today

Patna, July 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday will participate in the concluding function of the Bihar assembly's centenary celebrations.

In Patna, PM Modi will address the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and inaugurate the Shatabdi Smriti Stambh which has been built to commemorate 100 years.

He will also lay the foundation stone of the 'Vidhan Sabha museum. Different galleries in the museum will demonstrate the history of democracy in Bihar and the evolution of the current civic structure, the PMO said.

The prime Minister will be welcomed by Governor Phagu Chouhan and chief minister Nitish Kumar along with other state leaders at 5.20 pm. Security has been increased along the route the PM will take to reach the venue, which has been decked up with banners and posters.

The ceremonial pillar erected on the state assembly premises to mark the centenary of the iconic building has been built at a cost of around Rs 3 crore and designed in keeping with the ''architectural aesthetics'' of the historic landmark, an official said.

The foundation stone for the centenary pillar was laid by President Ram Nath Kovind on October 21 last year. The President had also planted a sapling of Bodhi tree, which now stands in front of the ceremonial column.

"It's a proud moment for people of Bihar that PM will be participating in the historic event," Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha told the reporters.

The 40-foot structure has been built by the Building Construction Department (BCD) of the Bihar government, and the pillar is topped with an ornate bronze sculpture depicting the emblem of the state. The pillar with an octagonal cross-section has five tiers below the 15-foot sculptural tree which has been lent a green hue, and sits on a wide platform with three approaching steps from all sides.

Panels have been added on the faces of the base of the pillar, depicting several illustrations as shown in different parts of the original copy of the Constitution of India. The bronze sculpture symbolically depicts the emblem of Bihar - a Bodhi tree with prayer beads dangling from its side branches, flanked by two 'Swastikas', the official said.

The Prime Minister will plant a sapling and inaugurate the Centenary Memorial Garden with 100 varieties of medicinal plants, Sinha said.

The PM will also unveil a book on the 100-year legislative journey of the state assembly since the separation of Bihar and Odisha from Greater Bengal.