At 151-ft, Birsa statue to tower over Tamad, work kick-starts
RANCHI: Work on the tallest statue of Jharkhand’s icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda measuring 151 feet has begun with the ceremonial foundation laying ceremony at Tamad near Ranchi.
Atribal leader who revolted against the British rule, Birsa Munda was a visionary who played a crucial role in liberation of his community, the tribal people, who were exploited by the British. Tribals in the state revere him as God, hence the name Bhagwan Birsa.
All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Party has taken up the cudgels to construct Birsa Munda’s tallest statue.
At a function held on the birth anniversary of Munda on November 15 last, which coincides with the state’s foundation day, AJSU party chief Sudesh Mahato had said Birsa’s idols deserve to be installed at all prominent places in the state as well as in the country to remind people of his sacrifices and unparalleled contribution towards the freedom struggle.
“We will build Birsa’s tallest statue in the country for people to get inspired by his sacrifices,” Mahato told HT, adding that the work has begun and would be executed at a speedy pace. “We are hoping to complete the structure within the next two years.”
Recently, the Jharkhand government announced to remove all his idols in handcuffs and replace them with those not depicting him in chains or cuffs.
Building tall statues of iconic leaders has become a prestige issue with political parties and governments in the country. Under construction in Gujarat, the Statue of Unity at 182 meters dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. will be completed in next two years.
In December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji off the Mumbai coast. The statue will rise 192 meters . It will be more than twice the size of the statue of Liberty and five times than Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
We will build Birsa’s tallest statue in the country for people to get inspired by his sacrifices. We are hoping to complete the statue within the next two years SUDESH MAHTO, AJSU party chief