India begins building world's tallest statue

[MenInG]

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1273923/india-begins-building-worlds-tallest-statue/

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on Saturday for what is set to be the world’s tallest statue, as its projected multi-million-dollar cost sparked criticism and an online petition against the project.

The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, a 17th-century Hindu ruler who fought the Muslim Mughal dynasty and carved out his own kingdom, will be more than twice the size of the Statue of Liberty and five times higher than Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

The structure, a pet project of Hindu nationalist Modi, will rise 192 metres from an island off the western coast of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea.

When finished, it will tower over the 128-metre Spring Temple Buddha in China’s Henan province that is currently the world’s tallest statue.

“Even in the midst of struggle, Shivaji Maharaj remained a torchbearer of good governance,” Modi said at the inaugural event. “So many aspects of his personality inspire us.”

The government of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, is expected to spend some 36 billion rupees ($530 million) on the statue, which is scheduled for completion by 2019.

But the project has drawn brickbats from many people who instead want the government to devote its resources to infrastructure, education and development.

By Saturday evening, more than 27,000 people had signed an online petition on Change.org urging the government to drop the plans.

“Apart from a waste of money, this statue is going to be terrible for the environment; for the traffic situation in South Bombay and a security nightmare,” said the petition.

Shivaji is revered by many in Maharashtra. Mumbai’s main train station and airport are named after the ruler, who is also one of the symbols of a Hindu cultural revival promoted by Modi.

The plans for the latest memorial follow an earlier initiative by Modi to build a 182-metre tall tribute to Indian independence hero Sardar Vallabbhai Patel in his home state of Gujarat, at an estimated cost of 25 billion rupees ($368 million). Construction on that statue began in 2014.

 

[Syed1]

A vanity project in the mould of Statue of Liberty or Eiffel Tower. If India has so much excess cash (as the Indian PP'ers would have us believe) then they can go ahead and throw it in whichever vanity project they want.

I'm glad that some Indians are sane enough to not back everything that Modi does and the online petition has several thousand people opposing this move.

 

[MenInG]

Why shouldnt India celebrate one of its heroes? Whilst in Muslims statues are looked down upon, in Hinduism, there is no such restriction

 

[Cracket]

Thank God its not Sardar Patel. Nothing against the guy but statues are about vanity and he's not exactly a looker.

Shivaji on the other hand at least looks like a warrior from mythologies, something cool to see.

 

[Jin Chacha]

Couldn't they have chosen something less polarizing? He may have been a great ruler but would be perceived as a symbol of Hindu nationalism by most. Just invites controversy over why some other personalities don't deserve their own monument. And with the way things are in the world right now, such monuments are huge security risks anyway.

Maybe Saif and Kareena should have considered Sivaji as a name for their child

 

[Pure Evil]

Dude Shivaji and Patel were great leaders, but they were not driven by Hindu nationalism. It's sad that the right wing in India is latching onto them and using them as a polarising figure

 

[endymion248]

So on one hand, they are crying about someone naming their son Taimur, on the other hand they are building statues for a pillager and a hindu nationalist.

 

[big_gamer007]

What a waste of taxpayers money.. Hypocrisy at its heights you blame mayawati for the statues and parks she built and now you do the same.. But then people would say "ohh Mayawati wasted money on her own statues Shivaji is an idol" blah blah.. But I guess moves like this get BJP votes from some people so more than the government these idiots are to be blamed..

 

[big_gamer007]

So on one hand, they are crying about someone naming their son Taimur, on the other hand they are building statues for a pillager and a hindu nationalist.

Who is "they"??

 

[endymion248]

Who is "they"??

Modi and the bakhts.

 

[endymion248]

Anyways, the design looks good. Reminds me of the Gengis Khan statue in Mongolia.

 

[big_gamer007]

Modi and the bakhts.

Doubt Modi cares or even knows about Saif and Kareena's sons name.. The people who are whining are low level wanna be pseudo nationals who are trying to gather some form of support from idiots by whining about such petty inon issues, once they get little bit support they can try and push into bigger political roles.. It's just sub continent politics pretty cheap and disgusting but still have its own supporters..

 

[endymion248]

Doubt Modi cares or even knows about Saif and Kareena's sons name.. The people who are whining are low level wanna be pseudo nationals who are trying to gather some form of support from idiots by whining about such petty inon issues, once they get little bit support they can try and push into bigger political roles.. It's just sub continent politics pretty cheap and disgusting but still have its own supporters..

Modi may not but the bakhts do care. A lot.

 

[Yossarian]

Building the statue at the entrance to Mumbai the commercial capital of India is simply mimicking the Statue of Liberty being at the entrance to New York the commercial capital of the USA.

India should have done something different, something unique, something that set it apart and truly Indian in concept.

All this "building the tallest statue in the world" means is that even before it's finished being built, there will be another "tallest statue in the world" starting construction - perhaps even in another state in India itself.

 

[Thivagar]

What a waste of taxpayers money.. Hypocrisy at its heights you blame mayawati for the statues and parks she built and now you do the same.. But then people would say "ohh Mayawati wasted money on her own statues Shivaji is an idol" blah blah.. But I guess moves like this get BJP votes from some people so more than the government these idiots are to be blamed..

What do you think about spending $50 Billion dollar on the military though ?

 

[Thivagar]

Glad to hear he is a Hindu.

 

[Madplayer]

Complete wastage of money. Could have fed lots of poor with this money.
I hope it becomes a popular tourist attraction to make it useful in some sense.

 

[Pakistanian]

Don't tell me they're gonna worship it lol

 

[AlizeeFan]

Complete waste of money if they are not able to recover some money from tourists.

 

[big_gamer007]

What do you think about spending $50 Billion dollar on the military though ?

How on earth is this statue in any ways related to military budget? There is absolutely zero relation between both so why did you quote me to ask this question??

 

[big_gamer007]

Modi may not but the bakhts do care. A lot.

1.3billion people you are bound to have some idiots..

 

[endymion248]

1.3billion people you are bound to have some idiots..

Are hindu nationalists just ''some idiots'' or a big part of the population?

 

[big_gamer007]

Are hindu nationalists just ''some idiots'' or a big part of the population?

Some idiots but unfortunately these some idiots have the strongest voice and rest of the population is divided and do not raise voice against them in unison since it does not harm them in any ways..

 

[Thivagar]

How on earth is this statue in any ways related to military budget? There is absolutely zero relation between both so why did you quote me to ask this question??

Both are built for the same purpose. The military budget doesn't need to be $50 billion/ year just like this statue doesn't need to be costing $500,000,000.

 

[PakLFC]

India can do whatever it wants in it's country. Soon Modi will want a statue off himself

 

[Romali_rotti]

So on one hand, they are crying about someone naming their son Taimur, on the other hand they are building statues for a pillager and a hindu nationalist.

While I am in agreeance with what you say partly, you have to take into consideration that the muslim invaders were foreigners who looted, stole, killed and took over lands that did not belong to them. Shivaji started the retaliation defending his motherland. Sure Shivaji killed a lot of the invaders also so he does represent a violent Indian history with the invaders.....

 

[endymion248]

While I am in agreeance with what you say partly, you have to take into consideration that the muslim invaders were foreigners who looted, stole, killed and took over lands that did not belong to them. Shivaji started the retaliation defending his motherland. Sure Shivaji killed a lot of the invaders also so he does represent a violent Indian history with the invaders.....

Shivaji didn't just kill ''invaders'' (whatever that means since the mughals were just as indian as shivaji by that point), he also killed civilians and looted peaceful cities in Gujrat.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Shivaji didn't just kill ''invaders'' (whatever that means since the mughals were just as indian as shivaji by that point), he also killed civilians and looted peaceful cities in Gujrat.

Afzal Khan who Shivaji killed was from Afghanistan I believe, so he can be classified as an invader, which is what I was hinting at.. If he was born in India then yes, he was Indian...However ppl like Aurangzeb etc will always be invaders, just because they stole land by violent means and established themselves does not make them Indian.....

 

[endymion248]

Afzal Khan who Shivaji killed was from Afghanistan I believe, so he can be classified as an invader, which is what I was hinting at.. If he was born in India then yes, he was Indian...However ppl like Aurangzeb etc will always be invaders, just because they stole land by violent means and established themselves does not make them Indian.....

I didn't talk about the assassination; I talked about the looting and killing of innocent civilians. Even if you don't consider Aurangzeb to be Indian (despite being born in India to indian ancestors), those civilians were definitely Indian.

 

[CricketCartoons]

This is a proud moment. For too long we have had the cupboard empty when looking up for icons and symbols we could relate to. Need to create more such hindu national symbols to remove our inferiority complex. Haters can hate.

 

[Romali_rotti]

I didn't talk about the assassination; I talked about the looting and killing of innocent civilians. Even if you don't consider Aurangzeb to be Indian (despite being born in India to indian ancestors), those civilians were definitely Indian.

Interesting I did not know Aurangzeb was born in India, I was under the impression he was an invader from Turkey....

 

[Black Zero]

Though shivaja was no more than a headache to mughals, he
was disgraced in mutghal court. But still lot better than rest of local rajas.

He won few battles and lost others.at least he fought.


But to be fair he is not worthy of this statue...Asoka would have been a better pick...

 

[JaDed]

Ashok Pillar is the only statue(or Pillar) that should had prevailed in India even on our currency putting Gandhi's photo has made it disgraceful.

People need to come out of hero worship already and only look upon the law of the land and respect these kings or whatever not waste money on them.

 

[Zak_Fan]

I hope it glows in the dark. Will be so awesome.

 

[Madplayer]

A tipu sultan statue would have been better. One of the rare rulers who tried to unite all Indian rulers after realizing it was the only way britishers could be ousted unfortunately he was betrayed time and again by rest of indian rulers including Marathas.

 

[Black Zero]

A tipu sultan statue would have been better. One of the rare rulers who tried to unite all Indian rulers after realizing it was the only way britishers could be ousted unfortunately he was betrayed time and again by rest of indian rulers including Marathas.

Not really a good choice:
He was mere a local rules of may store ... he was not really a sultan
He forced conversion
He was not smart...he got state from his dad..and lost it.

 

[JaDed]

A tipu sultan statue would have been better. One of the rare rulers who tried to unite all Indian rulers after realizing it was the only way britishers could be ousted unfortunately he was betrayed time and again by rest of indian rulers including Marathas.

The whole of South India would had gone on strike,esp ppl from Coorg and Tanjore,one of the most cruel leaders in recent history of India who did mass conversion of people in India.

https://books.google.com/books?id=n9FCAAAAcAAJ&pg=228&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OYn6UveIDIqIkwXe34HgBA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Madplayer]

Not really a good choice:
He was mere a local rules of may store ... he was not really a sultan
He forced conversion
He was not smart...he got state from his dad..and lost it.

His dad was also killed by britishers.
Everything set aside, he did try to unite Indian rulers but they were just trying to protect their own territories not understanding that birtishers want them divided.

 

[Madplayer]

The whole of South India would had gone on strike,esp ppl from Coorg and Tanjore,one of the most cruel leaders in recent history of India.

https://books.google.com/books?id=n9FCAAAAcAAJ&pg=228&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OYn6UveIDIqIkwXe34HgBA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

Every ruler is cruel in one way or the other. People just find the cruelity more extreme when its done by a ruler who they dont consider one of them in some sense..

But i guess you are right. its about how the local people would react no matter what message you are trying to give. So i concede it wouldn't have been a good idea.

 

[Slog]

Complete waste of money if they are not able to recover some money from tourists.

Why would a tourist care about Shivaji

He's virtually unknown outside India

 

[Slog]

Interesting I did not know Aurangzeb was born in India, I was under the impression he was an invader from Turkey....

Maybe I'm missing sarcasm but surely you didn't believe that

His forefathers came to India 2-300 years before his reign.

 

[Slog]

On another note

The whole Indian (Indian Hindus specifically) relationship and view of the Mughals is a bit confused.

They are more than willing to accept and claim all their accomplishments and architecture but then do a total backflip and call them invaders, looters etc

 

[Madplayer]

On another note

The whole Indian (Indian Hindus specifically) relationship and view of the Mughals is a bit confused.

They are more than willing to accept and claim all their accomplishments and architecture but then do a total backflip and call them invaders, looters etc

On the other hand Pakistanis consider the mughals and other muslim invaders as their own people naming misslies after them and some even claiming that Pakistanis ruled over Indians for 800 years.

 

[Madplayer]

Why would a tourist care about Shivaji

He's virtually unknown outside India

World is a global village now. Correct Marketing might make it a popular tourist spot. What does any average joe in the world care about an eiffel tower or statue of liberty? But because these monuments have been asscociated with the countries and mentioned again and again in the same breath, people know more about them and want to see them.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

On another note

The whole Indian (Indian Hindus specifically) relationship and view of the Mughals is a bit confused.

They are more than willing to accept and claim all their accomplishments and architecture but then do a total backflip and call them invaders, looters etc

That has been a real dilemma for the BJP in the last couple of decades. A lot of Mughal architecture and culture is clearly still admired and mimicked in India but the religious angle clearly still jars the Hindutvas. In any case, they can't build statues of Mughal rulers even if they wanted to through some sense of fair play, so they should go ahead and build huge statues of Hindu idols if it helps their sense of place and importance.

 

[JattMaula]

Shivaji is the first history lesson we learn in Maharashtra.

The statue is a political farce to woo Maratha community which is overwhelming majority in Maharashtra. Total waste of money.

And lastly, Shivaji was a Hindu but never a Hindu nationalist. ShivSena has tried to use him as a symbol but have failed spectacularly. Mainly because ShivSena is a primarily a Urban political party with very little support in rural western Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada.

 

[big_gamer007]

Both are built for the same purpose. The military budget doesn't need to be $50 billion/ year just like this statue doesn't need to be costing $500,000,000.

Lmao Kuch bhi.. the purpose of this statue is same as of military budget? lol read what you are saying and think before posting it's making you sound stupid..

But I do agree with the part where you say both should have been avoided and do not need that much spending.. However that does not mean the purpose is the same..

 

[Saeed]

Build even a bigger one one for Modi too. He is the real hero.

 

[Romali_rotti]

But I do agree with the part where you say both should have been avoided and do not need that much spending.. .

Now you are sounding as silly as him, China is breathing down India's neck, if anything more money needs to be spent on Defense. National security should have no compromises.

 

[big_gamer007]

Now you are sounding as silly as him, China is breathing down India's neck, if anything more money needs to be spent on Defense. National security should have no compromises.

Read all my posts in this thread I have already mentioned I can understand why the budget goes to defence.. It's not just China but other neighbours as well so military budget is understandable.. However it could have been avoidabale if all other neighbours cut down their budgets as well and focus he money for development in their respective countries.. Anyways simple point is would I have preferred money for development rather than military? Yes however in current scenario it is understandable why it's being spent on military..

 

[street cricketer]

There is a similar statue in the southernmost tip of India at Kanyakumari in the Indian ocean situated near the Vivekananda's rock.



Interestingly, during the 2004 tsunami which ravaged the southern part of India, Sri Lanka, Andaman, etc., monstrous tidal waves scaled the entire 130m height of the statue drowning it in its waves.



I remember the wild rumours spreading then that the statue might be washed away by the force of the gigantic tsunami waves. It was a good thing that the statue was strong enough and it held together nicely.

 

[petercat]

Its a tourist attraction and nothing else.

 

[HussainRx8]

On the other hand Pakistanis consider the mughals and other muslim invaders as their own people naming misslies after them and some even claiming that Pakistanis ruled over Indians for 800 years.

I think that's just to rile up Indians. Most Pakistanis are apathetic toward Mughals.

 

[Slog]

Was this completed lol?

 

[MenInG]

Indian police registered an FIR on Sunday against an unknown person for putting up an ad on OLX, intending to sell the 'Statue of Unity' to raise money for hospitals and medical equipment.

According to details, the world’s largest statue, which is located in Kevadia Colony of Gujarat, was put up for sale in an OLX ad by an unknown individual for Rs30,000 crores.

“Emergency! Selling Statue of Unity because of urgent money required for the hospitals and healthcare equipment,” read the ad.

The Statue of Unity authorities sprang into action after a local newspaper ran a report about the ad, filing a complaint against the unknown individual.

“An unknown person, with a malafide intention to defame the government had put up the Statue of Unity for sale on OLX, despite not being authorized to do so,” a release signed by Nilesh Dubey, Assistant Commissioner, Statue of Unity stated.

The release criticised OLX for not verifying the ad and approving the post. Indian police responded to the release and registered an FIR under IPC section 505 (publishes, circulates any rumours), 417 (Punishment for cheating), 469 (forgery) and under relevant sections of the Information and Technology Act.

Police said they were trying to locate the source of the listing on OLX to determine who was behind the ad and bring him/her to book.

The Statue of Unity, ever since it was inaugurated in October 2018, has been a major tourist attraction in the Indian state. It was closed for tourists and the general public on March 17 as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/281173-unknown-person-puts-up-indias-statue-of-unity-for-sale-on-olx