‘Statue Of Prosperity’ Stands Tall, However Kempegowda Theme Park Undertaking But To Get Off The Floor
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The Rs 22-crore part of the Rs 84-crore mission in Bengaluru has stalled, and blame is being traded between the BJP and Congress
The statue, additionally known as Pragatiya Pratime or the Statue of Prosperity, was sculpted by Padma Bhushan awardee Ram V Sutar, identified for the Statue of Unity. File pic/PTI
The 108-foot Statue of Prosperity devoted to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda stands tall close to the Kempegowda Worldwide Airport. However almost three years after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the theme park surrounding the statue stays incomplete. The Rs 22-crore part of the Rs 84-crore mission has stalled, and blame is being traded.
The BJP authorities, which conceptualised and swiftly executed the statue’s development inside seven months, has accused the Congress-led state authorities of delaying the mission. BJP leaders declare that though funds have been allotted to develop the theme park, they continue to be unused on account of political motives.
Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru Improvement portfolio and is a Vokkaliga chief himself, dismissed the allegation. “The BJP authorities erected the statue however didn’t pay contractors as soon as the work was accomplished. I don’t need to dwell on that now. Our focus is on creating Bengaluru,” he stated.
The statue, additionally known as Pragatiya Pratime or the Statue of Prosperity, was sculpted by Padma Bhushan awardee Ram V Sutar, identified for the Statue of Unity. It’s product of 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of metal. In response to the World E book of Information, it’s the tallest bronze statue of a metropolis founder on the earth.
The thought for the statue was first proposed by former chief minister BS Yediyurappa after the BJP got here to energy and was carried out inside months.
As a part of the tribute, mruthike (sacred soil) was collected from over 22,000 places throughout Karnataka.
This was ceremonially combined with the soil beneath one of many 4 symbolic towers that assist the statue.
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, a chieftain underneath the Vijayanagara Empire who based Bengaluru in 1537, is extensively revered, particularly by the Vokkaligas, Karnataka’s second-largest and politically important group. Nevertheless, the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Basis insists that the celebrations round him should emphasise inclusivity.
“Kempegowda might have been a Vokkaliga, however he constructed Bengaluru for everybody, together with Telugu- and Tamil-speaking communities. He belongs to the entire metropolis and represents improvement for all, not only one group. That’s the notion we’re making an attempt to alter,” stated Ashok KM Gowda of the muse.
“They don’t need to full what was began by the BJP. The Congress fears that in the event that they do, the individuals will comprehend it was the BJP that deserves the credit score.”
Whereas the Congress authorities faces criticism for delays in finishing the park, it has lined up elaborate celebrations to mark Kempegowda Jayanthi on June 27. The BBMP will organise a floral tribute on the statue close to Kempegowda Worldwide Airport, adopted by occasions on the BBMP workplace and the Vidhana Soudha.
A symbolic lamp procession might be held from 4 historic metropolis factors—Lalbagh, Mehkri Circle, Kempambudhi Lake, and Ulsoor—converging at Sumanahalli Circle, the place a brand new five-acre headquarters of the Kempegowda Heritage Authority might be constructed. Related occasions are deliberate at historic websites in Magadi, Devanahalli, and Kunigal—all linked to Kempegowda’s legacy.
The Congress authorities stated that the brand new Kempegowda Bhavan in Sumanahalli will mirror Bengaluru’s wealthy cultural heritage. In the meantime, questions linger over the stalled theme park—a key part of the unique imaginative and prescient—that also lies in limbo.
Former deputy CM and BJP chief Ashwath Narayan advised News18 that whereas it’s tremendous to have a good time Kempegowda, organising the Kempegowda Improvement Authority, he additionally requested the Congress to finish the work that was pending across the Kempegowda statue.
“We welcome the work that’s being carried out to commemorate Kempegowda, however at the very least have the courtesy to finish the work that was pending on the Kempegowda airport space. There’s cash earmarked; there are funds. Why not launch it and end it? They concern that the credit score will go to the BJP, however Kempegowda was a ruler who embraced all,” Narayan advised News18.
The statue’s inauguration, held simply forward of the 2023 meeting elections, was additionally seen as a political transfer geared toward boosting BJP assist within the Vokkaliga heartland of southern Karnataka, significantly after the get together’s 2019 KR Pete bypoll win in Mandya. However the election outcomes didn’t go as anticipated. And now, with the theme park unfinished, the highlight is again on the unfinished legacy mission, with politics as soon as once more at its centre.
Rohini Swamy, Affiliate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for almost twenty years within the tv and digital house. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has beforehand labored with t…Learn Extra
Rohini Swamy, Affiliate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for almost twenty years within the tv and digital house. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has beforehand labored with t… Learn Extra
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