The Gutsy Gusto Behind India’s Giant Statue Dream
Picture this: a colossal 182‑metre (600‑foot) monument to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel reaching for the sky in Gujarat’s remote outskirts. It’s set to outshine the Spring Temple Buddha in China and make the Statue of Liberty blush.
Two Colossal Babysitters
While Patel’s tribute repulsively climbs the ranks, a 212‑metre (700‑foot) figure of the 17th‑century king Chhatrapati Shivaji is already on the ground plan. He’s imagined galloping on a horse, sword at the ready, ready to dominate Mumbai’s skyline by 2021.
The Massive Money vs. The Man Spirit
- Cost: 29.9 billion rupees (~$430 million) for Patel’s “Statue of Unity” – a nod to Modi’s grand vision.
- Labor: 2,500 workers (several hundred of them Chinese) aiming to slap 5,000 bronze panels onto the giant slab.
- Goal: Open to the public on October 31, 2021, featuring a 153‑metre viewing platform that lets tourists feel the steel pulse.
Why the Nationalist Nutrition?
India’s election drums are pounding. The BJP’s narrative is simple: unleash powerhouses like Patel and Shivaji to remind the masses of India’s triumphant independence battle, while pushing back on what they call the “dominated Nehru legacy.”
Patel – dubbed the “Iron Man of India” – once pulled 550 princely states together to form a single nation. Modi even drew a line: “Every Indian regrets Patel didn’t become the first PM.” That’s politics in a nutshell.
Enter Shivaji, a 15‑million‑strong Marathi hero who clashed with the Mughal empire. The 36‑billion rupee ($515 million) statue and the new “Maharaj” label at Mumbai’s Shivaji International Airport look to sweeten the Marathi vote bank.
Let’s Talk Trouble Youth
Environmentists and fishermen aren’t thrilled. The proposed Shivaji statue sits on reclaimed seabed and threatens local fish stocks. The second half of it – a heli‑pad, a park, a museum – feels like a lure for the political attic.
- Local fishermen are wary of lost habitats.
- Experts think the price tag could sky‑rocket.
- Officials shout “budget cut” but investors keep eye on big returns.
Why We Should Keep an Eye
Yes, all these giant Monies will probably overrun. The state’s quick design tweaks may ease a little cost, but the larger picture remains fuzzy like a storm cloud.
Imagine a “beauty contest” where the fountains of love and power collide, and see the massive statues taking centre stage whenever the political storm hits the forecast.
