India: Modi inaugurates 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality’ commemorating Ramanujacharya in Hyderabad
The statue in Hyderabad is the symbol of his knowledge, detachment, and ideals, PM says
Hyderabad, Telangana: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality’ commemorating the 11th-century Bhakti Saint Sri Ramanujacharya in Hyderabad’s Shamshabad.
According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Statue of Equality commemorates the 11th-century Bhakti Saint Sri Ramanujacharya, who promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of living including faith, caste, and creed.
Addressing on the occasion, Modi said: “The statue is the symbol of his knowledge, detachment, and ideals. I believe that it will not only inspire the future generations but also strengthen the ancient identity of India.”
“Ordinary views that seemed contradictory to each other. Ramanujacharya ji puts them in a single thread with great ease,” he added.
The Statue is made of ‘panchaloha’, a combination of five metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, and zinc and is among one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting position, in the world. It is mounted on a 54-feet 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 Sri Ramanujacharya.
The statue has been conceptualised by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister kick-started the 50th-anniversary celebrations of ICRISAT in Patancheru, Hyderabad.
He inaugurated (ICRISAT)’s Climate Change Research Facility on Plant Protection and Rapid Generation Advancement Facility and also launched a commemorative stamp issued in Hyderabad.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was not present at the Hyderabad airport to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi who visited the city to unveil the ‘Statue of Equality’.
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and state minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav were among those present at the airport to receive the Prime Minister. Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy was also present.