Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the ‘Statue of Equality’ here today. The 216-feet tall statue commemorates the 11th century Bhakti Saint Ramanujacharya, who promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of living including faith, caste and creed.
The Statue is made of ‘panchaloha’, a combination of five metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, and zync and is among one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting position, in the world. It is mounted on a 54-ft high base building, named ‘Bhadra Vedi’, has floors devoted for a Vedic digital library and research centre, ancient Indian texts, a theatre, an educational gallery detailing many works of Ramanujacharya. The statue has been conceptualised by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Ramanujacharya Ashram.
Governor of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy were among those present on the occasion. During the programme, 3D Presentation Mapping on the life journey and teaching of Ramanujacharya was showcased.
The inauguration of the ‘Statue of Equality’ is a part of the 12-day Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham, the ongoing 1000th birth anniversary celebrations of Ramanujacharya.
Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said the statue of Ramanujacharya “is a symbol of his wisdom, detachment and ideals.” Describing Ramanujacharya as a “shining inspiration for the unity and integrity of India”, he noted that although he was born in the South, his influence was on the whole of India from South to North and East to West. He added that Ramanujacharya made the country familiar with the real concept of social reforms and worked for Dalits and backwards. “In today’s world, when it comes to social reforms, progressivism, it is believed that reforms will take place away from the roots. But, when we see Ramanujacharya ji, we realize that there is no conflict between progressiveness and antiquity. It is not necessary to go far from your roots for reforms. Rather it is necessary that we connect with our real roots, become aware of our real power,” he said.
Referring to Hyderabad connection of Sardar Patel, the Prime Minister said “if Sardar Sahib’s ‘Statue of Unity’ is repeating the oath of unity in the country, then Ramanujacharya’s ‘Statue of Equality’ is giving the message of equality. This is the specialty of India as a nation.”
– global bihari bureau
