The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Pope John Paul II statue unveiled

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 03, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Pope John Paul II statue unveiled

Staff Reporter

His first death anniversary going almost unnoticed in the media

STANDING TALL: A bronze statue of Pope John Paul II erected on the premises of Sculpture Mission, Besant Nagar, on Sunday. — Photo: N. Sridharan

CHENNAI: A twenty two-feet high bronze statue of Pope John Paul II was unveiled on his first death anniversary, here on Sunday.

Sculptor and karate exponent Shihan Hussaini, alumnus of the Government College of Fine Arts, said, "the Pope's miraculous powers saved my life on three occasions when I attempted and completed three dangerous world records. This is my tribute to him."

The statue has been put up on the premises of the Sculpture Mission at Besant Nagar at a cost of Rs. four lakh.

"When the Pope passed away last year, the media gave extensive coverage. But his first death anniversary is almost unnoticed," he added. The statue has three large steps at the base and 26 small steps, denoting the Pope's 26 years of papacy.

"I'm going to send to Vatican an account of the three instances in which the Pope saved my life. I hope they serve as validation and help in the beatification of the Pope.

The third big step in my statue represents St. John Paul," he said. Mr. Hussaini said he planned to approach the State Government with a request to display the statue in a public place.

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