THE STATUE OF EQUALITY

 

The grand statue of Vaishnava Saint Ramanujacharya in Telangana, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled on February 05, 2022, has several unique features.  It has been named the Statue of Equality, befitting what the saint had preached and practised -- every human being is equal regardless of nationality, gender, race, caste and creed.  Erected in a scenic setting, the statue commemorates the 1,000^th birth anniversary of the saint.

 

A TRIBUTE PAR EXCELLENCE

(By Subbaram Danda)

 

The grand statue of Ramanujacharya

 

The 216-foot statue in the sitting posture is the second tallest in the world.  It has been installed on a base-like edifice of 54 feet height called ‘Bhadra Vedi’ held aloft by a ring of beautifully sculpted elephants. The globe’s tallest statue is of Buddha in Thailand, whose total height is 302 feet.

The Ramanujacharya statue is a ‘panchaloha’ one, made of five metals – gold, silver, copper, brass and zinc.  According to ancient ‘Shilpa sastra’ the alloy of these metals has a sacred significance.

The building underneath is aesthetically and elegantly designed.  In a spacious and ornate sanctum at the centre a golden idol of the saint weighing 120 kg has been installed. Here the figure 120 is significant, because the saint is believed to have lived for 120 years.  It is for this idol that there will be regular worship.

Another outstanding feature is recreation of 108 Vaishnavite shrines known as ‘Divya Desams’ around the main building in the complex. Replicas of all these sacred centres of Vishnu worship including Tirumala, Srirangam and Badrinath can be seen there.

Artistic pillars, spacious hallways, decorative ceilings, wide steps and traditional towers mark the architecture of the complex.  Its grandeur is enhanced by water fountains, beautiful gardens and neat lawns. 

Also housed are a digital vedic library, a research centre with ancient Indian texts, a theatre and a gallery to portray the life and works of the saint. The 1,000th year commemoration project has an outlay of Rs.1,000 crores, financed by donations from devotees all over the world.

The moving force behind all this magnificent activity is Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar.  The entire project, regarded as a glorious tribute to the saint on his 1,000^th birth anniversary, was conceived and executed by him.  It is in his ashram area at Muchintal on the outskirts of Hyderabad that the complex has come up spread over 40-acres. The whole premises has been aptly named Sriramanagaram.

Prime Minister Modi, clad in yellow silk robes and sporting a 'namam' on his forehead, dedicated the “Statue of Equality” and the complex to the people of the world.  Though Ramanujacharya was born in South India, Modi observed, his teachings had influenced the people all over India and abroad too.

President of India Ramnath Kovind unveiled the golden idol of the saint on February 13.  Ramanujacharya's teachings, he noted, are relevent even today.  All aspects of his philosophy of equality have found a place in the Constitution of India.  

On February 14, Chinna Jeeyar conducted sacred rites for the consecration (prana pratishta) of the golden idol of Ramanujacharya and brought to fruition the related two-week long rituals, which included kalasa pujas, homams and vedic recitals.

Finally on February 19 a glittering 'Kalyana Mahotsavam' for the murtis of the 108 Divya Desams was held.  A large number of devotees witnessed the sacred event.

The picture gallery below unfolds the splendour of the complex and the ceremonies.

 

Colourful interiors of the complex

 

Another view of the interiors

Chinna Jeeyar taking PM Modi round the complex. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan accompanies

 

Prime Minister Modi unveils a plaque to mark the inauguration

 

A ring of elephant figures holds aloft the saint's statue 

 

Ornately built pillars and walls

 

The golden idol of Ramanujacharya

 

 

 

Chinna Jeeyar performing consecration rituals

 

 

 Swarna Ramanujacharya after consecration

 

 

 

Devotees thronging the sanctum of Swarna Ramanujacharya

 

 

Replica of a Divya Desam 

 

 

 

A bird's eye-view of the spectacular complex

 

 

Sacred rituals being performed during the two-week long ceremonies

 

 

 

 'Kalyana Mahotsavam' for the 108 Divya Desa murtis 

 

 

 

The saint's panchaloha statue glowing in illumination at night

 

Posted on February 07, 2022

Updated on February 19, 2022

 

A TREAT IN THE RETREAT

 

 

This year’s Beating the Retreat ceremony was unique.  For the first time, a laser display and a drone show were added.  Both the programmes highlighted the country’s heritage, history and freedom struggle and showcased the advances made in various fields since independence 75 years ago.  The spectators were thrilled.

 

THE RETREAT WITH A DIFFERENCE

(A review by Subbaram Danda)

 

The Vijay Chowk

 

Beating the Retreat is a centuries-old military tradition enacted at sunset to mark the disengagement of troops from a battle.  In independent India, it is held every year on January 29, to signify the conclusion of the Republic Day festivities.  Various military bands, consisting of buglers, pipers, trumpeters and drummers, march in formations playing selected tunes at the sprawling Vijay Chowk in Delhi.   

This year's retreat took place in the presence of Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh and the military brass.

After the performance of the bands, colourful laser beams were projected on the walls of the North and South Blocks to bring out the cultural richness of the country and the sacrifices made by its patriotic men and women.

Then followed the grand drone show conceptualized and choreographed under the Centre’s “Made in India” initiative.  In the ten-minute programme, a thousand drones lighted up the sky over Vijay Chowk with colourful displays.  Its highlights included portrayal of the Father of the Nation in a sketch form and the blazing tricolour.

By successfully staging the drone show, India became the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China in mastering the complicated technology.

Here are some photos: 

The retreat in progress

 

Military bands playing select tunes

 

 

Laser show on the culture of India

 

 

Thousand drones forming an earth-shaped globe

 

 

Map of India created by drones

 

 

Mahatma Gandhi as outlined by drones

 

 

The national flag

 

 

Laser based illuminations

 

January 30, 2022.

CORONA MUSINGS 2022

 

 

New year 2022 dawned with no end in sight for the fast mutating Corona virus.  Infection-controlling protocols and regulations continued to rule the roost.  People remained scared.  However, as the days and weeks marched by, some experts predicted that quite before the middle of the year the fast spreading virus variant Omicron would be a thing of the past, by and large.  People eagerly waited to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Interestingly, all these developments provided sufficient food for thought for humorists, who kept churning their creative pieces almost on a war footing.  Their imagination ran riot.  Savour these samples.

 

THE HUMOROUS FALLOUT OF THE CORONA

(A compilation by Subbaram Danda)

                                                                                                                      

       

                 

The prayer of a dutiful husband, who was on ‘Work from Home’ duty: 

“Oh God, in the first wave of the Corona I learnt how to wash clothes and dishes.   In the second    I learnt how to prepare breakfast and cook meals.  In the third I learnt how to make pickles and papads.  Tell me now in advance, God, what more is in store for me to learn in the fourth wave and the next.”

                          

                                               

A middle-aged woman met an old-time friend.  After exchanging pleasantries, their talk veered round to the behaviour of their husbands.

“I cannot buy even a sari without my hubby’s knowledge,” one woman rued.

“Why?”

“He will come to know of it easily, because he is the one washing clothes now-a-days.  He is on ‘Work from Home’ duty.”

 

 

The scene: Corona vaccine chasing Omicron, the latest variant.  The virus runs into an open house and closes the door.

Corona vaccine: Open the door or I will break into and catch you.

Omicron:  Wait. I am changing.  It is almost over.  Now you cannot do anything with me!

 

“I am now a graduate,” bragged Kumar when he accidentally met his good old school time friend Vish during his morning walk on the beach promenade.

“Really, congratulations,” Vish patted him on the back.  “I never knew that you went to college.”

“Oh, it is nothing like that.  They gave a certificate for the two anti-Corona shots I had.  Yesterday, I received the booster jab.  For that I am sure they will give me a degree,” Kumar replied laughing out loud.

 

Following the views expressed by some medical experts that the end of the fast mutating Corona virus is not in sight and that the people will have to learn to live with it, a resourceful builder conceived a new project with thoughtful features.

An advertisement of the builder in leading newspapers read: 

In our new ten-storey block every apartment will have an isolation room with a built-in pipeline for oxygen supply.  A facility for oxygen production will also be set up within the premises itself.  A tie-up has been made with a leading pharmacy for delivery of medicines at the doorstep.  Nursing services will be available round the clock.  Supply of special food to meet the requirements of the inmates will be arranged too. 

Last but not the least – A gift.  Persons making the first 20 bookings will receive free an oxymeter and a pack of 50 masks.

 

 

Two friends were at the bar for quite some time.  One of them told the other, “Hey, you have been gulping fast and already consumed two fulls.  It is time to quit.  Let’s go.”

“What,” he retorted. “The first two will have no effect, unless you take a booster!”

 

 

 

Till the scourge is brought under control, let us strictly follow the advice and the guidelines issued by the government organizations and reject suggestions by quacks.  It is in our own interest!  Let us keep our fingers crossed.

 

January 27, 2022