05-27-2004, 02:52 PM
Fans to build temple for Sonia
http://headlines.sify.com/news/fullstory.p...line=Fans~plan~
Rs~10-crore~temple~for~Sonia
Thursday, 27 May , 2004, 15:36
Eulogies no longer suffice for Sonia Gandhi, who captured the nation's
imagination by refusing to become Prime Minister. Admirers are now planning
to put on her on a pedestal. Literally.
The Sonia Gandhi Vichar Prasar Kendra will build a temple dedicated to the
Congress president at Ramtek near Nagpur. And although 'Sonia Mandir' is to
be a monument to her school of thought, it won't stop short of deifying her.
Discuss: Sonia's swept Vajpayee under the carpet
While Sonia's sculpture will adorn the Stupa-like central hall called the
'Ekatmata Smarak', prayer halls for different religions will drive home her
message of secularity.
The Gandhi 'bahu'-turned-reluctant politician should be in good company -
busts of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Mahatma
Gandhi will also be on display. Plaques recounting Sonia Gandhi's speeches,
her pictures and achievements along with carvings are expected to adorn the
edifice.
'Sonia Mandir' is the brainchild of Sandip Agrawal, convenor of the newly
formed Kendra. Agrawal, who also happens to be the vice president of
Maharashtra Congress Farmers and Farm Labour cell, admits he has for a long
time now nurtured the idea of paying homage to the thoughts and principles
of the Congress party.
"However, Soniaji's unprecedented act of sacrifice recently, prompted me to
convert the monument into a Sonia temple," he says.
According to Agrawal, the Congress leader's decision to turn down the top
job in the country is without parallel in a day and age when politicians are
willing to do anything for the smallest benefit.
8.50 acres of land has already been identified for the proposed shrine. The
site, insists Agrawal, is significant despite its rural backdrop.
Ramtek is looked upon as a place of cultural confluence with a Ram temple,
Kalidas Smarak, Buddhist excavations and a Sanskrit university all in the
near vicinity.
V N Khare, architect for the ambitious project, says he has understood
Agrawal's concept and will ensure that his design is in harmony with its
surroundings.
The architecture will convey the philosophy of the Congress party, its
accessibility and affinity to the downtrodden, he adds.
'Sonia Mandir' is not going to be an exercise in sycophancy, Agrawal
promises. A library with literature on the Congress, training centre for
Congress camps, playground, rest house, old age home, a school and
dispensary are planned around the stupa-like structure to make it socially
relevant.
However all this won't come cheap. Rs 10 crore is likely to be spent on the
project. Agrawal, who has come out with brochures explaining the concept, is
confident that people from all over the country will contribute handsomely
to help him realise his dream. He himself intends to share a part of the
costs.
While Sonia is not yet aware of Agrawal's plans, he says he will be in Delhi
next week to seek her permission. Then, probably reminded of her penchant
for denial, which incidentally became the inspiration for the project, he
adds, "Does it matter? After all, it's a matter of faith!"
http://headlines.sify.com/news/fullstory.p...line=Fans~plan~
Rs~10-crore~temple~for~Sonia
Thursday, 27 May , 2004, 15:36
Eulogies no longer suffice for Sonia Gandhi, who captured the nation's
imagination by refusing to become Prime Minister. Admirers are now planning
to put on her on a pedestal. Literally.
The Sonia Gandhi Vichar Prasar Kendra will build a temple dedicated to the
Congress president at Ramtek near Nagpur. And although 'Sonia Mandir' is to
be a monument to her school of thought, it won't stop short of deifying her.
Discuss: Sonia's swept Vajpayee under the carpet
While Sonia's sculpture will adorn the Stupa-like central hall called the
'Ekatmata Smarak', prayer halls for different religions will drive home her
message of secularity.
The Gandhi 'bahu'-turned-reluctant politician should be in good company -
busts of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Mahatma
Gandhi will also be on display. Plaques recounting Sonia Gandhi's speeches,
her pictures and achievements along with carvings are expected to adorn the
edifice.
'Sonia Mandir' is the brainchild of Sandip Agrawal, convenor of the newly
formed Kendra. Agrawal, who also happens to be the vice president of
Maharashtra Congress Farmers and Farm Labour cell, admits he has for a long
time now nurtured the idea of paying homage to the thoughts and principles
of the Congress party.
"However, Soniaji's unprecedented act of sacrifice recently, prompted me to
convert the monument into a Sonia temple," he says.
According to Agrawal, the Congress leader's decision to turn down the top
job in the country is without parallel in a day and age when politicians are
willing to do anything for the smallest benefit.
8.50 acres of land has already been identified for the proposed shrine. The
site, insists Agrawal, is significant despite its rural backdrop.
Ramtek is looked upon as a place of cultural confluence with a Ram temple,
Kalidas Smarak, Buddhist excavations and a Sanskrit university all in the
near vicinity.
V N Khare, architect for the ambitious project, says he has understood
Agrawal's concept and will ensure that his design is in harmony with its
surroundings.
The architecture will convey the philosophy of the Congress party, its
accessibility and affinity to the downtrodden, he adds.
'Sonia Mandir' is not going to be an exercise in sycophancy, Agrawal
promises. A library with literature on the Congress, training centre for
Congress camps, playground, rest house, old age home, a school and
dispensary are planned around the stupa-like structure to make it socially
relevant.
However all this won't come cheap. Rs 10 crore is likely to be spent on the
project. Agrawal, who has come out with brochures explaining the concept, is
confident that people from all over the country will contribute handsomely
to help him realise his dream. He himself intends to share a part of the
costs.
While Sonia is not yet aware of Agrawal's plans, he says he will be in Delhi
next week to seek her permission. Then, probably reminded of her penchant
for denial, which incidentally became the inspiration for the project, he
adds, "Does it matter? After all, it's a matter of faith!"