Statue of Equality inaugurated by PM Modi is ‘made in China’

Hyderabad/Bhubaneswar: The 216-feet tall statue of equality commemorating the 11th-century Saint Ramanujacharya inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Hyderabad on Saturday is made in China.

According to reports, China’s Aerosun Corporation constructed the statue at a cost of Rs 135 crore.

As per the Statue of Equality’s website, Aerosun struck the deal to construct the statue back in 2015.

“Initially there was only one Company AEROSUN CORPORATION, under their brand ‘COSIC’ was an expert in that field. During initial interactions, they were not serious about our project. Later they gave a few details. After 3 – 4 visits they understood the seriousness and came up with quotations which were too high ( Approximately Rs. 130 crores + Taxes),” the website claims.

“Later a few more companies came up with their proposals to make the Statue. It took a little time to understand & assess the details. Negotiations started. One Indian company also entered the race. All the companies were invited for personal talks to Hyderabad. They had meetings and spot visits on 12th, 13th & 14th of this month August 2015. After due deliberations the 1st Company Aerosun was blessed and confirmed with the orders for making The Statue Of Equality,” it added.

At an elaborate ceremony held at Tridandi Chinna Jeer Swamy’s ashram at Muchintal on the outskirts of Hyderabad, he dedicated to the world the giant statue which commemorates Ramanujacharya’s teachings promoting equality in all aspects of living including faith, caste and creed.

Modi visited the 45-acre temple complex housing the statue and the identical recreations of 108 Divya Desams or ornately carved temples. Earlier, he also participated in puja and other rituals as part of the ongoing 12-day Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi ‘Samaroham’, the 1000th birth anniversary celebrations of Ramanjuacharya

The statue is made of ‘panchaloha’, a combination of five metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, and zync and is among one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting position, in the world.

The statue is mounted on a 54-feet high base building, named ‘Bhadra Vedi’, has floors devoted for a Vedic digital library and research centre, ancient Indian texts, a theatre, an educational gallery detailing many works of Ramanujacharya.

(With IANS inputs)