Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is reportedly thinking to install a “life-sized statue” of Swami Vivekananda on the campus. It is being reported that the authorities have made the decision of installing the statue to the give the university a “more pleasing look”.
According to a report in Indian Express, the Executive Council (EC) has given its nod for the same. The statue will reportedly be of a favourable height and size and will be placed with appropriate elevated platform and stone pathways.
“For a more pleasing look, it has been decided by the competent authority that a statue of suitable height and size of a historically important person like Swami Vivekananda — whose contribution to the nation building is universally acknowledged — may be erected with proper elevated platform, stone pathways, benches, lights and interconnected works, including public utilities, etc,” Indian Express quoted Executive Council as saying.
Rector III told the Daily that the idea of erecting the statue was put forth by the Engineering department. “The suggestion for the statue was given by the Engineering Department, and the EC has given its nod in principle. The final details of the same — where and when it will be installed — are yet to be decided,” Rana Pratap Singh told the daily.
Also, teachers are not very pleased with the some of the other decisions taken by the EC including that the archives that were earlier managed by the Centre for Historical Studies be handed over to the university librarian.
“The Dean of our School had written to the administration after we received an order out of the blue that the university librarian would be taking over the archives… It was completely arbitrary. The archives have been in existence since the early ’70s and have material on peasants and workers, among other things. Now it may just merge into the library,” the daily quoted a faculty member as saying.
