City of Shivamogga to have its first Basaveshwara statue

Bellevision Media Network

Shivamogga, 09 Oct 2017: The city of Shivamogga will have its first Basaveshwara statue that will be casted in London. This will be a three feet bust made out of black bronze in London.

 

The UK based non-profit organization; The Lambeth Basaveshwara Foundation donated the statue of to Shivamogga Municipal Corporation in front of the British Parliament on October 8.

 

 

The mayor of Shivamogga N Elumalai and councilor Yogesh received the statue on behalf of Municipal Corporation of Shivamogga from the former mayor of The London borough of Lambeth Dr Neeraj Patil.

 

On April 14, 2016 The Former Mayor of Lambeth Dr Neeraj Patil was invited to Shivamogga Muncipal Corporation to address the full council. He pledged to donate a statue to the city of Shimoga during his visit as a special dedication to the former Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa for his support to the Basaveshwara statue in London.

 

Speaking on the occasion the mayor of Shimoga N Elumalai said, ‘Basaveshwara fought against untouchability and caste discrimination in the Indian society in the 12th century. We are proud to have statue of a great social reformer in the historic city of Shivamogga.

 

Councilor Yogesh who led the team to London on behalf of Chimera Municipal Corporation said, ‘He was delighted to see the statue of pioneer of world’s largest democracy in front of the British Parliament along the bank of river Thames.’ He also said, ‘People of Shivamogga would be delighted to receive the statue from the historic city of London.’

 

Members of British Kannada community also joined in this occasion and tributes were also paid to the architect of Indian constitution Dr B R Ambedkar who shares a conceptual relationship with Basaveshwara.

 

Basaveshwara statue is was not only the first statue to be unveiled by an Indian Prime Minister in the UK but also the first conceptual statue approved by the British Cabinet in the vicinity of the Parliament. The British Cabinet approved the construction of the statue on July 3, 2012 as per the statue’s Act 1854.

 

Prime Minister Modi unveiled the statue of Basaveshwara on November 14, 2015.