Lata Mangeshkar’s divine voice was a boon to us all: PM Modi

A 40-ft-long and 12-metre-high veena weighing 14 tonnes has been installed at the intersection named Lata Smriti Chowk. “The veena of Maa Saraswati will symbolise her devotion to the music,” the PM said.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the intersection named after Mangeshkar in the presence of Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy.

The water body surrounding the roundabout – situated near the Ram Ki Paidi ghat by the Saryu river – has been decorated with 92 lotuses made of white marble. “The 92 white marble lotuses in the lake at the chowk complex represent Lataji’s lifespan,” he said.

Recalling when he received a call from Lata after the ‘bhoomi pujan’ for Ram Temple was held in August 2021, Modi said that she had expressed great joy that this was finally happening. He also recalled a hymn sung by her, “Mann ki Ayodhya tab tak sooni, jab tak Ram na aaye”. “Ayodhya ke bhavya mandir mein Sri Ram aane waale hain,” the PM said.

Modi said many countrymen have experienced Lord Rama through the songs of Lata Mangeshkar. Be it ‘Shri Ramchandra Kripalu Bhaj Mann, Haran Bhava Bhaya Darunam’ mantra, or be it hymns like ‘Payo Ji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo’ of Meerabai; be it Bapu’s favourite ‘Vaishnav Jan’, or be it sweet melodies like ‘Tum Asha Vishwas Hamare Ram’ that has occupied a place in the minds of the people.

Looking back at his memories related to the legendary singer who passed away in February this year, the Prime Minister said that the sweetness of her voice mesmerised him every time he spoke to her. He recalled, “[Lata] didi often used to tell me: ‘A man is not known by age but by deeds, and the more he does for the country, the bigger he is’.” He added, “I believe, the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk of Ayodhya and all such memories associated with her will enable us to feel a sense of duty towards the nation.”

Earlier, the PM had tweeted: “Remembering Lata Didi on her birth anniversary. There is so much that I recall…the innumerable interactions in which she would shower so much affection. I am glad that today, a chowk in Ayodhya will be named after her. It is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest Indian icons.”