“The 206 feet Mahashilpam of Ambedkar erected by our government in Vijayawada is a symbol not only for the state but also for the country,” Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

A significant milestone was achieved last year when the tallest Ambedkar statue outside India was unveiled in Maryland, USA. Aptly named the ‘Statue of Equality,’ this magnificent 19-feet-tall tribute was masterfully crafted by the acclaimed sculptor Ram Sutar, who also lent his artistic genius to the creation of Sardar Patel’s celebrated statue.

Features of the ‘Statue of Justice’

1. The world’s tallest Ambedkar statue stands 125-feet tall and stands on an 81-feet pedestal.
2. The project to build the statue incurred ₹404.35 crore and it is spread over 18.81 acres of land covered in a lush green park.
3. From sourcing raw materials to designing, the statue was built under a complete ‘Made in India’ project. Around 400 tonnes of steel went into making the ‘Satue of Justice’.
4. The area surrounding the statue, along with the Swaraj Maidan, where it was built, has been re-developed. Water bodies in the forecourt, three-sided peripheral water body for the pedestal and a musical water fountain were built in the area.
5. LED screens have been set up to display Ambedkar’s life, a convention centre of 2,000 seating capacity, a food court of 8,000 sq ft along with children’s playing area were also built at the site.

The DPR for this route was prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) last month and subsequently handed over to the NMRC, Noida Authority, and Greater Noida Authority for approval. After thorough discussions, the proposal received the green light. The planned route covers approximately 11.56 kilometers and will feature a total of eight new metro stations.

The introduction of this new metro line is expected to improve connectivity between Noida, Greater Noida, and Delhi, benefitting commuters in the region. It will facilitate travel between the Aqua Line, Botanical Garden, and Sector 142, providing a convenient transportation option for individuals traveling between Delhi and Greater Noida.

Furthermore, the Magenta Line will offer direct connectivity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, expanding access to New Delhi and Anand Vihar Railway Stations via the Blue Line.

Reports suggest that the project’s estimated cost is approximately Rs 22.54 billion. Once operational, this enhanced metro network will significantly enhance transportation options and facilitate smoother commuting experiences for residents and visitors in the Noida and Greater Noida areas.

As per the plan, the metro stations on the new line are expected to cover the following sectors/areas.

• Botanical Garden
• Noida Sector 44
• Noida Office (Sector 96 Noida Authority Office)
• Noida Sector 97
• Noida Sector 105
• Noida Sector 108
• Noida Sector 93
• Panchsheel Balak Inter College

Sharma, a first-time MLA from Sanganer Assembly in Jaipur, is 56 years old and defeated Congress candidate Pushpendra Bhardwaj by 48,081 votes. This marks a shift in the state’s leadership, breaking the cycle where Ashok Gehlot of the Congress and senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje took turns ruling for the past 25 years. The announcement was made after the BJP legislature party meeting in Jaipur, attended by party observers Rajnath Singh, Vinod Tawde, and Saroj Pandey.

The move also emphasizes a strategic balance in caste equations, with Sharma being a Brahmin, Diya Kumari a Rajput from the Jaipur royal family, Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa a Dalit, and Vasudev Devnani from the Sindhi community. This diverse representation is seen as a deliberate effort to address caste considerations in the state.

Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh, the BJP named senior tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai as its Chief Minister. Sai, a former Union minister and three-time state party president, was chosen after the BJP’s elected MLAs met central observers. Raman Singh proposed Sai’s name, seconded by senior leaders Brijmohan Agrawal and state BJP chief Arun Sao. There is speculation that Arun Sao may be appointed Deputy Chief Minister, along with the possibility of Raman Singh becoming the Speaker.

These political developments signify a shift in leadership dynamics in both states and reflect the BJP’s strategic approach to caste representation. The appointments also indicate a balance between experienced leaders and new faces within the party structure.