IIT-B set to start work on Dandi March memorial

The memorial will be built over 15 acres opposite Saifee Villa,the house at Dandi in Gujarat where Gandhi stayed on the night of April 5,1930,at the end of his march to protest against the imposition of tax on salt.

IIT Bombay has announced two workshops,from November 7 to 24 and from December 7 to 22,during which life-size sculptures of all 80 marchers who participated in the famous march will be created at the institute’s campus.

Around 40 sculptors and students from different parts of the world have been selected to be part of IIT Bombay’s national design team. They will work in two groups of 20 members each.

The memorial will be 70-metre high,with two stainless steel arms,which will be lit by solar panels.

According to officials of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD),which is responsible for the project’s execution,the memorial will have a statue of Gandhi leading the protesters and satyagrahis. The hands of the sculpture will be raised upwards,holding a handful of artificial salt crystals.

According to CPWD officials,the actual design concept includes gradual illumination of the structure as the Sun goes down. A small lake will be constructed at the memorial complex as a symbolic representation of the seaside where the Dandi March took place. The water body will create reflections of the memorial from all sides,according to the design proposal.

The initial project cost was estimated at Rs 64.40 crore. An additional Rs 52.06 crore has been earmarked for the project.

According to a press statement issued by IIT Bombay,the actual plan and project details will be discussed on November 7,when the project will be officially inaugurated.

dipti.sonawala@expresindia.com