Rajiv Gandhi Memorial

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Rajiv Gandhi Memorial
Rajiv Gandhi Memorial blast site.jpg
View of the memorial complex
Rajiv Gandhi Memorial
General information
TypeMemorial
Address Sriperumbudur
Town or city Chennai
CountryIndia
Coordinates 12°57′38″N79°56′43″E / 12.9605°N 79.9452°E / 12.9605; 79.9452
Groundbreaking2003

Rajiv Gandhi Memorial is a memorial to the former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in Chennai, India. The memorial is located at Sriperumpudur at the site where he was assassinated on 21 May 1991. It was opened on 10 October 2003 by then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam.

Contents

Background

Then prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, India on 21 May 1991. [1] At least 14 others, in addition to Rajiv and the assassin, were killed. [2] It was carried out by the Sri Lankan Tamil separatist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a retaliation to the involvement of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in the Sri Lankan civil war. [3] [4]

Memorial

A memorial was planned by the Government of India at the site where Rajiv was assassinated. [5] The Government of Tamil Nadu allocated 12.19 acres (4.93 ha) of land for the memorial in June 1994. It was built at a cost of ₹211.5 million (equivalent to ₹1.4 billionorUS$16 million in 2023). [6] It was designed by K T Ravindran, and was built by the Central Public Works Department. [7] It was opened on 10 October 2003 by then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam, in the presence of Rajiv's widow Sonia Gandhi. [8]

Design

At the spot where Rajiv died, a square marble plinth measuring 1.03 m2 (11.1 sq ft) stands on a raised platform. The Jaisalmer marble is inlaid with a portrait of Rajiv, and embedded in a pink stone block. The platform is surrounded by seven 15 m (49 ft) high granite pillars each measuring 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) in diameter. The pillars are mounted by various capital figures made of bronze, which weigh about 1.5 tonnes. The seven pillars were designed to represent the seven concepts in Hinduism namely, dharma, satya, nyaya, vigyan, tyaga, shanti, and samriddhi. They also represent the seven sacred rivers – Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri. Various quotations of Rajiv are carved at the base of each pillar. [6] [7]

Towards the south of the memorial is a granite stone wall measuring 45 m (148 ft) in length and 4.8 m (16 ft) in height. The wall consists of bas relief work depicting the transformation of Indian civilization. The wall consists of Rajiv's words, "I am young and I too have a dream...". The path taken by Rajiv before the accident is marked by pink granite stones, leading up to the central plinth. The complex is surrounded by lawns, and various lighting. [6] [7]

References

  1. ↑ "Assassination in India; Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated in bombing at campaign stop; India puts off rest of voting". New York Times . Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "1991: Bomb kills India's former leader Rajiv Gandhi". BBC News . 21 May 1991. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  3. ↑ Gopal, Neena (2016). The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Penguin UK. ISBN   978-93-86057-68-6.
  4. ↑ "Lady With The Poison Flowers". Outlook . 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2018. With Rajiv Gandhi's gruesome assassination, the suicide bomber had well and truly arrived
  5. ↑ "Where Rajiv Gandhi died: An impressive memorial, but a crumbling party". The Economic Times . 10 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 "President to dedicate Rajiv Gandhi memorial". Press Information Bureau (Press release). 9 October 2003. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 Singh, K. Natwar (7 November 2003). "Remembering Rajiv Gandhi". Frontline . Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  8. ↑ Venkatesan, Radha (11 October 2003). "Rajiv Gandhi Memorial dedicated to nation". The Hindu . Retrieved 8 May 2019.

12°57′37″N79°56′43″E / 12.9602°N 79.9452°E / 12.9602; 79.9452

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