NEW DELHI: In a significant moment for the Congress party, it's Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the new party headquarters, named 'Indira Gandhi Bhawan,' today, after operating from its iconic 24, Akbar Road premises for the last 47 years.

Located at 9A, Kotla Road, the new state-of-the-art facility symbolizes the Congress party's 139-year-old history and its ongoing mission to uphold the vision of its stalwarts.

The inauguration ceremony was marked by the presence of prominent Congress leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, and general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, and K.C. Venugopal. The leaders hoisted the party flag and sang 'Vande Mataram' and the national anthem, setting the tone for the event.

The five-storey Indira Gandhi Bhawan, constructed by L&T and designed by Hafeez Contractor, is a blend of modernity and tradition, adorned with rare pictures and artifacts showcasing the party's contributions to India's freedom struggle and governance. One of the walls features the five principles of the Congress: democracy, nationalism, secularism, inclusive growth, and justice. The new headquarters also includes a library named after the late Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away last month.

As the ribbon was cut by Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress party reiterated its commitment to moving forward with the times while staying rooted in its rich history. The party's 139-year history is showcased throughout the building on the walls, in a unique blend of traditional and the modern and as one enters the building, the wall in front adorns the pictures of the party's first president W C Benerjee and current chief Kharge.

From Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to Subhas Chandra Bose and from Rabindranath Tagore to Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, their contributions are highlighted. Dr B R Ambedkar's picture with an inspirational quote adorns a wall, and several other rare pictures showcasing India's struggle for independence and the Congress leaders' contribution are also put up across the five storeys.

The event underscored the Congress party's dedication to building a modern, democratic, and equitable India, carrying forward the legacy of its leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Indira Gandhi.