If New York has a Statue of Liberty, so why can't Mumbai? The Congress-led Maharashtra government has decided to build its very own Statue of Liberty of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji, off the coast of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea.
But the Maharashtra government's to make this equestrian statue, rising 1.8 km from the Arabian Sea, has already kicked off controversy.
''We are also planning a lights and sound show and a museum so that people get to know Shivaji, the king and the administrator,'' said Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister, Maharashtra.
Standing proud at 309 feet and cast in bronze, the statue of the Maratha warrior king will mirror (Statue of Liberty) another global icon, the statue of liberty in New York.
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But the Maharashtra government's to make this equestrian statue, rising 1.8 km from the Arabian Sea, has already kicked off controversy.
''We are also planning a lights and sound show and a museum so that people get to know Shivaji, the king and the administrator,'' said Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister, Maharashtra.
Standing proud at 309 feet and cast in bronze, the statue of the Maratha warrior king will mirror (Statue of Liberty) another global icon, the statue of liberty in New York.
12 Comments
Tell a friend
Bury
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Great plan, but at the same time I think Flop plan
Yes, i too think its a foolish idea. Unless they put up the huge statue somewhere everybody can see.
why is it a foolish idea ?
do you think that the statue of liberty can be seen by everyone. don't you think that it's view is blocked by the numerous huge skyscrapers of Manhattan island.
it is supposed to be a statue not a tower like the Eiffel tower :)
foolish idea because there is a chance of controversy and at the same I dont think that government will be able to maintain statue properly for ever, because statue of such great personality such be maintain properly
hmm i dont know about the chance of controversy point as you have not elaborated on it but i fully agree with the other point you mention.
good maintenance is essential required. and our states past record on preservation of heritage structures is very poor.
but real problem i have with the idea is economical. it is going to be very costly to make an island in first place and then make the huge statue on the island.
i feel that funds should not be imposed forcibly on common people or diverted from other infrastructure projects. they should only be generated from private donors and corporate contributors.
will our great congress, BJP, NCP, SS, MNS leaders donate generously from their own pockets for it ?
No not at all... and even if they invest from their own pockets then surely they must be having some big plans in their mind like making the place one of the best tourist spot in India and earning best money from it.
The controversies have already started...Check this out
http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3102030.cms
interesting. what reasons did Kumar Ketkar give for opposing the plans.
If we have to take Statue of Liberty as the inspiration then it would be good to take into consideration the symbolism, history, geography and economics behind its conception.
A) Symbolism - The liberty statue is that of a roman goddess of freedom from slavery, oppression, and tyranny.
B) History - 'Liberty Enlightening the World' was promoted and presented as a gift from the government of France to the government of USA, on the 100th anniversary of independence from the british, ostensibly as a symbol of friendship between the people of the two democratic republics.
C) Geography - The geography of the statue is that it was placed at the entrance or gateway of USA of that time viz the near the docks of New York.. as a symbol of welcome to visitors from oppressed lands and returning Americans
D) Economics - It was supposed to be a gift from France to USA so France tool up majority of the funding while USA also contributed. Mostly it was funded by the rich (donations) and the middle class (contributions, charities, entertainment)
Now if the statue of Shivaji has to be brought up on the lines of the Statue of Liberty then :
A) Chattrapati Shivaji as a role model symbolising freedom from oppression, and tyranny is admirably suited for at least Maharashtra if not entire India.
B) It has to be installed on the anniversary date of the establishment of 'Hindavi Swaraj'.
C) It has to be placed at the gateway to maharashtra/mumbai.
Now exactly which place is that is a complex question.. is it the Bay of mumbai ? the airport ? the highway toll nakas ? or the old filmi favorite, Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus..
As Sandesh mentioned it won't be visible to all once the high rises come up all around it.. so should it be put on top of a high hill.. like the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Else they could simply demolish that symbol of the british raj - the Gateway of India, and build the statue in its place. Solves transport problem and it already is a tourist spot with the museum close by ;-)
D) With regards to the funding part if it would have to be gift to the people/state of maharashtra from other people/state and if the common man is not to be burdened then the funding has to be raised from industry donations and events.. maybe like IPL ? :-)
Other than this leaders of other states Mananiya Shri Laloo Ji/Mulayam Ji/Amar Singh Ji/Narendra Modi Ji/Jayalalitha Ji etc could generate the funds for it.. and also Shri Thackeray/s, Shri Pawar, Shri Deshmukh, Shri Patil, Shri Joshi as local contributors.
I think best person would be Mayawati Ji.. she has already proved that she is able to generate funds for building her own huge statues quite easily ! :-D
Anyway i agree with Helo.. building a gigantic statue is hard, but maintaining it afterwards is even harder.
thanks manishbhau
Now government is planning to build statue in Girgaon Chaupatty
This is neat manish .. too cool. हे आर्टिकल थंडगार व नीट आहे .. हा हा हा.