Rama Krishna Sangem
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy unveiled the 206-foot tall Dr BR Ambedkar statue installed at the Swaraj Maidan in Vijayawada on January 19, Friday. The Chief Minister inaugurated the statue by launching the laser show that has illuminated it like an umbrella of fireworks amid wide applause of tens of thousands of people who thronged the grounds.
Jagan in his emotional speech at the unveiling ceremony, said the statue called Statue of Social Justice, will stand symvbol of the pride of the poor. “This is a symbol of self-respect of the poor. This is a symbol of oppressed and exploited masses against the suppressors”. Jagan who leads his YCP to the coming assembly and parliament elections later this summer always claims to be fighting for the cause of the poor and voiceless.
The dazzling 125-foot bronze statue was installed on an 81-foot pedestal made with the Kala Chakra Maha Mandala Buddhist architecture to make it attractive in its sky high posture. As the Chief Minister launched the laser show unveiling the statue, crowds greeted and cheered. The Statue is expected to be a major tourist attraction for people not just from AP, but from all over the country, according to a press release from the AP government.
Ambedkar Smruthi Vanam
The giant statue installed in an extent of sprawling 18.18 acres with an expenditure of Rs.404. 35crore is the first of its kind in the world as the precincts consists of a musical fountain, 2000 capacity convention centre, food court, walking track and children’s area. The Ambedkat Smruthi Vanam also consists of a detailed Ambedkar Experience section that depicts the life and times of the visionary.
The pedestal consists of ground plus two floors with the ground floor having four halls, with one of them being a cinema hall and the rest having digital museums detailing Ambedkar’s life.
While one of the four halls in the first floor is dedicated to display Dr Ambedkar’s attachment with South India, two of them would be dedicated for museum and the fourth one would be utilised as library. The four halls in the second floor are being proposed to be used as libraries.
The entire premises was spruced up with beautiful flower plants and attractive marble-made pathways by Delhi designers.
