The Hindu : National : Memorials, statues serve as an inspiration: Mayawati

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Memorials, statues serve as an inspiration: Mayawati

Special Correspondent

CM inaugurates 15 memorials and statues, including two of herself
“Funds for education, health and job schemes not reduced”

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati defended her government’s decision to construct memorials, statues, parks and museums dedicated to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and Bahujan Samaj Party founder late Kanshi Ram.

“Had memorials for eminent persons belonging to the Dalit community and OBCs [Other Backward Classes] been built by the governments that ruled the country after Independence, the BSP government would not have felt the need for the task,” she said at a function to mark the inauguration of 15 memorials and statues, including two of herself, at the Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivarthan Sthal in Gomtinagar in Lucknow on Thursday .

Memorials, parks and statues dedicated to eminent persons served as “lighthouse,” which provided inspiration to society for centuries. The money spent on memorials and parks in Lucknow was less than what was used on “samadhis” at Rajghat in Delhi.

Ms. Mayawati accused other parties of displaying a casteist streak. Reacting to the Opposition parties’ criticism that the money spent on memorials in Lucknow could have been utilised for building schools and hospitals, the Chief Minister clarified that the funds allocated for education, health and employment schemes had not been reduced. Ms. Mayawati said the ongoing construction works in the State opened up job avenues for lakhs of unemployed people.

Slams opposition

Ms. Mayawati assailed the Opposition also for its tirade against the construction of statues of elephants, stating that the elephant was not merely the symbol of the Bahujan Samaj Party.

“Elephant is a symbol of auspicious beginning and welcome,” the Chief Minister said.

Among the projects inaugurated by her were a gateway to the Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, the Bhimrao Ambedkar Park, the Social Change Gallery, a museum on social change, the Kanshi Ram memorial and the Kanshi Ram Park.

Four statues, two each of Kanshi Ram and Ms. Mayawati, were unveiled in the Kanshi Ram Memorial and the Buddha Vihar Shanti Upvan. Ms. Mayawati’s statues were unveiled by PWD Minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui.

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