The Architectural Visionary: Bimal Patel and the Iconic New Parliament Building
With tremendous fanfare, PM Modi opened the new Parliament building. The structure was designed by renowned Ahmedabad-based architect Bimal Hasmukh Patel. Due to his involvement in the Sabarmati Riverfront and Kashi Vishwanath projects, the 61-year-old has earned the nickname "PM's architect."
Bimal Patel: Who is he?
The new Parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista Project, was designed by Bimal Hasmukh Patel, an architect, urbanist, and scholar who was born on August 31, 1961, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
It may be said that Patel's father, Hasmukh Chandulal Patel, who also founded the HCP firm in 1960, instilled in him a love for architecture. At the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad, Bimal began studying architecture in 1984. He earned his master's degree in architecture and city planning in 1988. At the University of California, Berkeley, he earned his Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning in 1995. Under the guidance of Marxist urban geographer Richard Walker, he finished his doctoral thesis.
He has received numerous honors for his creations, most recently the Padma Shri award in 2019. The World Architecture Award in 1997, the Prime Minister's National Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and Design in 2003, and the HUDCO Design Award in 2013 have all been given to him in addition to this national distinction.
Bimal Patel and PM Modi's connections
Modi and Bimal Patel have a lengthy relationship. In fact, it might be said that Bimal Patel is Modi's go-to person for major initiatives and a facilitator of his goals. The Sabarmati Riverfront project was given to Bimal Patel in 2005 when Modi was still the chief minister of Gujarat. In later years, Modi used this project as a backdrop for photo ops, such as the dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping or even the 150th birthday celebration of Mahatma Gandhi. It was mentioned in Modi's 2014 campaign bio as well.
Bimal Patel was once again given the task of building the storied Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Modi's Varanasi-based constituency when he was elected prime minister in 2014. By 2021, the project sought to cover the 320-meter distance between three major Ganga ghats and one of the most important Hindu temples.
Bimal Patel was attacked for destroying history and legacy, but he showed no sign of emotion. When he spoke, he said "We should be respectful of heritage and tradition, but should not let ourselves be held hostage to them. Research shows that Varanasi is an ancient city that has been continuously built over successive generations in many different ways. What is important is to have the courage to do what needs to be done”.
Parliamentary Aspirations of Bimal Patel
Patel and his team sat down to sketch out the new Parliament after being awarded the Central Vista Project contract.
The 64,500 square meters new Parliament building is impressive and seems fit to be India's seat of government. On May 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the structure, installing the "sengol" in the new Lok Sabha chamber at the same time. This historic event also marked the anniversary of his nine-year rule.
When questioned about the building's design and the reasons behind his decision to make it triangular, he replied that many sacred geometries honor "triangles" and "trinities". The Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and Central Lounge are the three primary areas in the new Parliament complex, which was built on a triangular plot of land. In addition, triangles are sacred geometry in many of the nation's religions and traditions. The triangle is sacred because it is used in the Sri Yantra and because the Trinities, or the three Gods, are triangular in shape.
He also stated that his goal for the new organization was to "make a clean break, untether ourselves from the past, and more fully embrace the future."
And it appears that he has made a clean break. The national bird Peacock is the theme of the Lok Sabha chamber, the national flower Lotus is the motif of the Rajya Sabha chamber, and the national tree Banyan is the theme of the Central Lounge courtyard.
Patel has made sure that the new building includes elements from many regions of India. The granite and sandstone used in the construction are from the Jaisalmer village of Lakha and Dholpur, respectively. The carpets were produced in Kashmir and Bhadohi, both in Uttar Pradesh. Craftsmen from Maharashtra have been hired to create intricate woodwork.
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