Amid debates over intolerance, violence due to sectarianisms and fanaticism and the threats of terrorists’ movements in Odisha, hundreds of youths and students were inspired with patriotism to live, work and die for the nation first after visiting an apt sand sculpture here on the occasion of Republic Day.
To inculcate the feelings of nationalism among all, the Nababarsha Mohatsav Committee, a city-based socio-cultural organisation, put up a massive sand sculpture on Mahanadi riverbed at the Gadagadia Ghat to observe the day with a message “Nation First”.
Eminent sand sculptor Pramod Patnaik singlehandedly created the sculpture using over 2,000 cubic feet of sand depicting a dove, the symbol of peace carrying a huge map of India in tricolour having the symbol of “unity” engraved at the centre of it. “I took just four hours to complete the sculpture in one go,” Patnaik said.
“The raised clenched fist at the centre of the map in the sculpture is our salute to express unity and strength, the two important needs of our country now,” said Mohatsav Committee chairman Prasanna Nanda, a High Court advocate, who had conceptualised the theme of the sculpture.
Eminent personalities of the city belonging to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhism and Jainism visited the spot with their followers and appreciated the efforts to generate a feeling of nationalism among all on this auspicious day, Nanda said with pride.
The riverbed’s tryst with sand art began during the Odia New Year-2015 celebrations on April 13 last year. “Till date, we have put to show at least five huge sand sculptures here on various occasions, including Madhu Jayanti and Netaji Jayanti. We plan to observe the Odia New Year celebrations in April this year in a grand style expecting a footfall of over two lakh people at the riverbed,” Nanda said.