MP Rishang Keishing said, "Inside was like a temple and church, speeches were heard with respect and interactions were constructive. No one would say something that would raise the temper of the other side."
That was way back in 1952 when Keishing was elected the Socialist Party MP from Outer Manipur. Though sitting across in the opposition, the 91-year-old remembers Pandit Nehru fondly.
Today Keishing is still in Parliament serving his second term in the Rajya Sabha.
Sources have the details of the proceedings of May 13, 1952 when the elected house met for the first time under the Constitution. The proceedings began at 10.45 am when the President Dr Rajendra Prasad appointed Ganesh Mavalankar as Speaker of the first Lok Sabha.
Keishing, too, recalls that momentous first day as each MP took oath, led by Nehru.
"There was a big applause from every side, because we had come after a long struggle that was a fruit from our long struggle. No hatred but joy and love. When we took oath, there was huge applause particularly for us from North East. We felt like we were part of this country," Keishing said.
87-year-old Resham Lal Jhangde represented Madhya Pradesh's Bilaspur Constituency in the first Lok Sabha and did so till 1962. Living a quiet life in Raipur's Janta quarters, Jhangde says times have changed.
"Today, life of MPs is tip top. We never thought about money, never asked for money," Jhangde said.
A student leader at 18, a Member of Parliament at 32, now, KS Tilak proudly recalls his tenure in the first Lok Sabha when he advised Prime Minister Nehru to take a decision on the separation of Andhra from Madras. Today's ugly disruptions in Parliament leave him a saddened man.
"That time Parliament was dignified but now it’s corrupt. There came a lot of change," Tilak said.
Three lives joined by one institution, those who witnessed history and are today a part of it.
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