BIGGEST MUSLIM COUNTRY INDONESIA UNVEILS SWAMI VIVEKANAND STATUE |
In a landmark joint effort, India as the biggest Hindu country and Indonesia as the biggest Muslim nation made history on 7th September 2020 as the first ever statue of Hindu philosopher and saint Swami Vivekanand was installed and unveiled by representatives of both countries. It is significant because a full statue is considered an idol. The statue is installed at the India Cultural Centre now renamed after Swami Vivekanand in the famous city of Bali to mark the golden jubilee celebration of Swami Vivekananda Shila Memorial.Indonesia`s Senator Dr. Shri I Gusti Nagur, Arya Bedkarna Mahendradatta Bedastraputarsuasha III, and, Ambassador of Indonesia His Excellency Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat, and Principal Consul General of India Shri Prakash Chand, and, Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center in Bali, Shri Manohar Puri, were present on the occasion. The master sculptor I Bayan Agus Viratma from Indonesia was honoured on this historic occasion. Senator Arya Bedakarna said Swami was a youth icon and therefore the idol will inspire youth with new energy. Highlighting the inseparable history and cultures of India and Indonesia, the Senator said Indonesia word is derived from Sanskrit language of India, and without India there would be no Indonesia. Indian Ambassador Pradeep Rawat said that the statue was symbolic of the extremely close and growing relations between the two countries. The statue was not funded by the Indian government and is made by funds generated by local Indonesians who consider India`s history and heritage as their own. Indonesians also don`t shirk from drawing their origin from Hindu India. Indonesia finds a special mention in the Indian scripture `Ramayana.`
|
|
