On February 5, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Hyderabad to kickstart the 50th anniversary celebrations of “International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)”.

Key Points

• He will dedicate a 216-feet tall “statue of equality” to the nation, on this occasion.
• ‘Statue of equality’ commemorates the 11th century bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya. The saint promoted the idea of equality across all the aspects of living, including caste, creed and faith.
• Inauguration of the statue is part of ongoing 12-day celebrations of his 1000th birth anniversary.

About Statue of Equality

• The statue is made of ‘panchaloha’, which is a combination of five metals namely, gold, silver, copper, zinc and brass. It is one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting position worldwide.
• It is mounted on a 54-feet high base building named ‘Bhadra Vedi’.
• It comprises of:

1. Floors, which is devoted for a vedic digital library & research centre,
2. A Theatre
3. Ancient Indian texts
4. An educational gallery, detailing several works of Sri Ramanujacharya.

• Statue has been conceptualised by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami, from Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram.

3D presentation mapping

During the programme, a 3D presentation mapping on life journey and teachings of the saint Sri Ramanujacharya will be showcased. On the occasion, PM Modi will also visit the identical recreations of 108 ‘divya desams’ (ornately carved temples), surrounding the statue.

Inauguration of climate change research facility

During the visit, PM will also inaugurate ICRISAT’s climate change research facility on plant protection. He will also inaugurate ICRISAT’s rapid generation advancement facility. Both the facilities will be dedicated to smallholder farmers of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.