Ambedkar statue unveiling provides visual feast

HYDERABAD: Friday’s 45-minute unveiling event of India's tallest 125-foot statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar provided a visual treat. A helicopter showered flower petals on the statue while a huge crane garlanded the statue amid slogans of 'Jai Bhim' slogans.

Ministers and BRS leaders vied to take pictures with Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in front of the statue. Cultural programmes eulogising Dr Ambedkar and his ideals and performances by artistes enthralled the audience and kept them engaged for almost five hours.

Rao arrived at the venue at 3.20 pm, along with Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr Ambedkar. Soon thereafter the helicopter showered colourful flower petals for five minutes. People were busy taking videos and photos of the helicopter showering petals.

The statue was unveiled amid chanting by Buddhist monks, who were invited for the ceremony, to perform the rituals. Ambedkar had embraced Buddhism in the later part of his life.

Prior to the statue's inauguration, Rao, ministers and other dignitaries went around the museum, theatre and library, set up in the basement of the statue. They contain works of Dr Ambedkar who fought for an egalitarian society. A photo exhibition on the life of Dr Ambedkar was organised on the occasion. The Chief Minister also watched a documentary on Dr Ambedkar in the theatre.