Statue of Equality inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi
- Main points:- Statue of equality inaugurated on February 5, 2022, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of 50th anniversary celebrations of “International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)” in Hyderabad.
- He inaugurated the 216 feet high “Statue of Equality” by dedicating it to the nation on the occasion.
- The ‘Statue of Equality’ is in the memory of the 11th century Bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya.
- He promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of life including caste, creed and faith.
- The inauguration of the statue is part of the 12-day long celebrations of his 1000th birth anniversary.
- The idol is made of ‘Panchdhatu’, which is a combination of five metals, gold, silver, copper, zinc and brass.
- It is one of the tallest metal sculptures in sitting position worldwide.
- It has been established on a 54 feet high base building named ‘Bhadra Vedi’. It includes floors in the building, which is a Vedic digital library and research centre, cinema hall, ancient Indian texts – an educational gallery, details of many works of Sri Ramanujacharya, etc.
Inauguration of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ICRISAT’s Climate Change Research Facility on Plant Protection and he also inaugurated the ICRISAT Rapid Generation Advancement Facility. Both these facilities will be dedicated to small farmers in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
what is ICRSAT
ICRISAT is an international organization that assists farmers by conducting agricultural research and providing improved crop varieties and hybrids for development in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. It also helps small farmers in dry lands to fight climate change.
About Ramanujacharya
Ramanujacharya was a Hindu theologian, Indian philosopher, social reformer and an important exponent of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition. His philosophical foundation for Bhaktiism influenced the Bhakti movement. He worked for the upliftment of the people with the spirit of every human being regardless of caste, creed, gender, race and nationality.
Ramanuja’s fame grew as he was considered the first thinker in centuries. He disputed the doctrines of Shankara and offered alternative interpretations of the Upanishad texts.