Very very ambitious project, Neo. Don't know if its justified to spend so much of money on a statue, but on a plus side, it will keep reminding us history of our nation. Plus should be a great tourist attraction. And only govt who can pull this off to international standards is Gujarat TBH
Kunal i think Sardar Patel deserves it for the work he did . Imagine what would have happened in Hyderabad if he didnt manage it properly . it would have been another Kashmir .
and believe me this is terrific place . its already a tourist attraction and this will just add to it .
Yes, Neo, Sardar Patel deserves recognition, but whats the point if it turns out to be more like a waste of money. Sardar himself was a person who never believed in show off, else he could have become PM.
If the point is to generate more tourism, and hence boost in economy of Gujarat, and India, I think its good, but just for commemoration.... I don't think its that smart of an idea.
Do you think a down to earth son of the soil would appreciate this kind of honor? Bette to honor his memory with free hospital for rural populace of the state.
Hospitals r coming anyways Pardesi and we have international airport here in his name too but building statues is a great way to recognise someones work . everytime money cannot be used to make Hospitals . u need doctors to run them too .
Kunal - this can be perfect for tourism just wait and watch .
I don't think there is anything wrong with building statues. A civilization is defined by many things including art, literature & architecture among which would be statues. You can't use "build hospitals" as a cure-all for every issue. Disputes between Hindus & Muslims over land? Build a hospital. Defense budget for war? Use the money for hospitals. Build a memorial? Nope, make hospitals! LOL.
Poverty and illness do need to be taken care of but that doesn't mean society stops making advances in anything else, IMO.
IMO even the Commonwealth games are frivolous for a country that cannot AFFORD to distribute rotting grain to starving people (official line - not my interpretation). Moving forward cannot happen when over half the population is hungry and without basic sanitation or health. Of course this is only my humble opinion.
Building a MEdical college is pain in Ass . there are 3-4 Medical colleges stuck in Gujarat alone due to lack of Teachers which in turn lead to no MCI permission . Also Medical college needs to be associated with Hospitals . Why do u think we see so many Engineering colleges coming out daily but very few Medical colleges . Kapil Sibbal has said he will try to double PG seats next year which in turn in some yrs can help in increasing MBBS seats .
Also agree with Nia , u cannot have built hospital for very problem . i am sure u cannot build hospital in btw a dam . Also this is just small gift for a guy who gave so much to our country without getting much Credit . Not to forget this is gonna generate huge tourism and Revenue scheme which in turn will help state in other things . it being a PPL will in turn generate more employment oppurtunities for locals .
Also one cannot just hold back just cos half the population is hungry . it needs to start at top , if u stop people at top going ahead it generates less revenues to help people at bottom . The whole investment in projects by govt help to give massive employment oppurtunities for people surrounding it which in turn helps the poor . one cannot use Communist policy of holding development back . Take WB for example . the kind of resources it had it should have shoot pass every city ahead but due to Communist Rule its being held back and one cannot say poor there has got any help from it .
Whole idea of commonwealth games was to provide employment oppurtunity and the vilage was going to become DU hostel after it . the change in govt. resulted in more corruption and change in plans . Now its going to go to all diff officers.
Pardesi I think that it won't stop just at statue, but the scheme will be to attract tourists to the state. If you look closely, Modi has been trying to make Gujrat one of the most prominent states of India, economically, and as a tourist attraction as well. This statue seems to me as a step in the later direction.
Amitabh as brand ambasador, then Tata and now statue, Modi wants to change the image of the state which is branded as a communal state.
I can understand that such a scheme might benefit the economy of the state in number of ways. First and foremost being direct tourist attraction, secondly, other places of Gujrat will also get famous. Lets see how they bring about this project.
About grain, I think objection was that it will disrupt the economic forces of demand and supply, Free supply of food grain will impact the market in a bad way. An understandable point, cruel and sad fact of the world.
About CWG as well, I think that is one way to generate employment as well. Example, 3 months ago a laborer used to make Rs 300 a day, in a city like Delhi. Today he is making Rs 600 a day, all thanks to the work and demand generated by CWG. Same way about trucks, tractors, even jamadars.
And we all need to understand that everyone wants to be associated with rich and powerful people, thats why demand of US, and everything related to US, even Oscars. CWG and events like these provides a chance to show yourself as one of those rich and powerful people. Again, sad reality of the world.
Yes, I do agree with your point that we need more hospitals, schools, and all other basic facilities before, butat the same time, these things can not be over looked.
And income generated by tourism will anyhow go in these schemes only. See, there are limited ways that state can make money, either by increasing taxes, or such tourism activities, I would rather have them make tourist spots than increase my taxes.
Great post Kunal . let me tell u one thing there are plenty of schools and colleges in our country . So many Schools r actually closing down due to lack of students . Philosophically it sounds great build schools , hospitals but putting it into practice is very hard . Hospitals r not just one time investement and stop . it requires continous investment for improving facilities and maintaing standards .
Also state govt have very limited source of Revenues and tourism is one of them . that is why it is logical to encourage such things . By building this statue it may also become a good one day picnic stop for people in state .
Neo, TBH we have too few schools, problem is that there are so many villages where girls are still married at the age of 3-5. Boys go to fields rather than schools. More than education, right now India is still struggling to keep up with 3 basic needs, Roti kapda aur makaan.
I don't think any Right to education will be successful till the time we can not ensure these basic rights. If I was one of those poor guys, I would have worked as well before going to college. Heck even now, I want to do MBA, but first I am doing job, just to get my basic needs covered.
Anyhow, I do not know what are the logistics of the project, but the video gave a fair amount of idea baout the tourism aspect, and I am excited for that. Consider the amountof tourism Statue of liberty generates, if it does even half of that, I think it would be great for the satte and the whole nation.
Kunal u need to just look at the numbers of Govt school closing down every year due to lack of students and u will realise why i say less schools . There was recent report of marathi schools closing down and people made fun of SS , MNS during that.
I did go to Vegas and stayed away from all the "little Venice" "little Paris" ripoffs! The only thing worth ogling at was the opulence of Caesar's palace and the Excalibur. BUT it is hard to rationalize another visit - we all know Vegas is faker than fake.
Very very ambitious project, Neo. Don't know if its justified to spend so much of money on a statue, but on a plus side, it will keep reminding us history of our nation. Plus should be a great tourist attraction. And only govt who can pull this off to international standards is Gujarat TBH
ReplyDeleteKunal i think Sardar Patel deserves it for the work he did . Imagine what would have happened in Hyderabad if he didnt manage it properly . it would have been another Kashmir .
ReplyDeleteand believe me this is terrific place . its already a tourist attraction and this will just add to it .
Yes, Neo, Sardar Patel deserves recognition, but whats the point if it turns out to be more like a waste of money. Sardar himself was a person who never believed in show off, else he could have become PM.
ReplyDeleteIf the point is to generate more tourism, and hence boost in economy of Gujarat, and India, I think its good, but just for commemoration.... I don't think its that smart of an idea.
Do you think a down to earth son of the soil would appreciate this kind of honor? Bette to honor his memory with free hospital for rural populace of the state.
ReplyDeleteHospitals r coming anyways Pardesi and we have international airport here in his name too but building statues is a great way to recognise someones work . everytime money cannot be used to make Hospitals . u need doctors to run them too .
ReplyDeleteKunal - this can be perfect for tourism just wait and watch .
If doctors are an issue then start a medical college! IMHO this statue scheme is frivolous use of money.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anything wrong with building statues. A civilization is defined by many things including art, literature & architecture among which would be statues. You can't use "build hospitals" as a cure-all for every issue. Disputes between Hindus & Muslims over land? Build a hospital. Defense budget for war? Use the money for hospitals. Build a memorial? Nope, make hospitals! LOL.
ReplyDeletePoverty and illness do need to be taken care of but that doesn't mean society stops making advances in anything else, IMO.
IMO even the Commonwealth games are frivolous for a country that cannot AFFORD to distribute rotting grain to starving people (official line - not my interpretation). Moving forward cannot happen when over half the population is hungry and without basic sanitation or health. Of course this is only my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteBuilding a MEdical college is pain in Ass . there are 3-4 Medical colleges stuck in Gujarat alone due to lack of Teachers which in turn lead to no MCI permission . Also Medical college needs to be associated with Hospitals . Why do u think we see so many Engineering colleges coming out daily but very few Medical colleges . Kapil Sibbal has said he will try to double PG seats next year which in turn in some yrs can help in increasing MBBS seats .
ReplyDeleteAlso agree with Nia , u cannot have built hospital for very problem . i am sure u cannot build hospital in btw a dam . Also this is just small gift for a guy who gave so much to our country without getting much Credit . Not to forget this is gonna generate huge tourism and Revenue scheme which in turn will help state in other things . it being a PPL will in turn generate more employment oppurtunities for locals .
Also one cannot just hold back just cos half the population is hungry . it needs to start at top , if u stop people at top going ahead it generates less revenues to help people at bottom . The whole investment in projects by govt help to give massive employment oppurtunities for people surrounding it which in turn helps the poor . one cannot use Communist policy of holding development back . Take WB for example . the kind of resources it had it should have shoot pass every city ahead but due to Communist Rule its being held back and one cannot say poor there has got any help from it .
Whole idea of commonwealth games was to provide employment oppurtunity and the vilage was going to become DU hostel after it . the change in govt. resulted in more corruption and change in plans . Now its going to go to all diff officers.
ReplyDeleteDepends on whether one believes in trickle down effects or not. That is most ani-Keynesian!
ReplyDeleteAnd what gift to Patel ji- he is long gone!
long gone doesnot mean one should forget him .
ReplyDeletePardesi I think that it won't stop just at statue, but the scheme will be to attract tourists to the state. If you look closely, Modi has been trying to make Gujrat one of the most prominent states of India, economically, and as a tourist attraction as well. This statue seems to me as a step in the later direction.
ReplyDeleteAmitabh as brand ambasador, then Tata and now statue, Modi wants to change the image of the state which is branded as a communal state.
I can understand that such a scheme might benefit the economy of the state in number of ways. First and foremost being direct tourist attraction, secondly, other places of Gujrat will also get famous. Lets see how they bring about this project.
About grain, I think objection was that it will disrupt the economic forces of demand and supply, Free supply of food grain will impact the market in a bad way. An understandable point, cruel and sad fact of the world.
About CWG as well, I think that is one way to generate employment as well. Example, 3 months ago a laborer used to make Rs 300 a day, in a city like Delhi. Today he is making Rs 600 a day, all thanks to the work and demand generated by CWG. Same way about trucks, tractors, even jamadars.
And we all need to understand that everyone wants to be associated with rich and powerful people, thats why demand of US, and everything related to US, even Oscars. CWG and events like these provides a chance to show yourself as one of those rich and powerful people. Again, sad reality of the world.
Yes, I do agree with your point that we need more hospitals, schools, and all other basic facilities before, butat the same time, these things can not be over looked.
And income generated by tourism will anyhow go in these schemes only. See, there are limited ways that state can make money, either by increasing taxes, or such tourism activities, I would rather have them make tourist spots than increase my taxes.
Great post Kunal . let me tell u one thing there are plenty of schools and colleges in our country . So many Schools r actually closing down due to lack of students . Philosophically it sounds great build schools , hospitals but putting it into practice is very hard . Hospitals r not just one time investement and stop . it requires continous investment for improving facilities and maintaing standards .
ReplyDeleteAlso state govt have very limited source of Revenues and tourism is one of them . that is why it is logical to encourage such things . By building this statue it may also become a good one day picnic stop for people in state .
Neo, TBH we have too few schools, problem is that there are so many villages where girls are still married at the age of 3-5. Boys go to fields rather than schools. More than education, right now India is still struggling to keep up with 3 basic needs, Roti kapda aur makaan.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any Right to education will be successful till the time we can not ensure these basic rights. If I was one of those poor guys, I would have worked as well before going to college. Heck even now, I want to do MBA, but first I am doing job, just to get my basic needs covered.
Anyhow, I do not know what are the logistics of the project, but the video gave a fair amount of idea baout the tourism aspect, and I am excited for that. Consider the amountof tourism Statue of liberty generates, if it does even half of that, I think it would be great for the satte and the whole nation.
Kunal u need to just look at the numbers of Govt school closing down every year due to lack of students and u will realise why i say less schools . There was recent report of marathi schools closing down and people made fun of SS , MNS during that.
ReplyDeleteSensational victory for Modi in Gujarat . 80% seats in all 6 municipal elections . At some places congress was actually in single digits .
ReplyDeleteI have been to NYC several times, never made it to the Statue of Liberty - should put it on my list for next visit :-P
ReplyDeletePardesi - Go to Vegas :)
ReplyDeleteDon't bother, Pardesi. It's a huge waste of time. I try to warn all tourists but nobody ever listens. :(
ReplyDeleteI did go to Vegas and stayed away from all the "little Venice" "little Paris" ripoffs! The only thing worth ogling at was the opulence of Caesar's palace and the Excalibur. BUT it is hard to rationalize another visit - we all know Vegas is faker than fake.
ReplyDeleteEven I like Caeser the most. Excalibur needs update. But with kid, you end up in Circus Circus :)
ReplyDeleteAria is very contemporary and you might like "Jean Philippe Patisserie" shop.
ReplyDeleteActually the Bellagio is quite "classy", if anything in Vegas can be called that. And the fountain show does a good job of entertaining at night.
ReplyDeleteYep, but they do mostly on Italian music.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I saw this, and kind of spooky. Setup and getup Indian, but people and language Spanish!
http://www.indiawest.com/readmore.aspx?id=2523&sid=5