Professors, students and staff members from IIT Bombay have contributed their years of research and experience in designing and renewable energy to work on the various components of the “National Salt Satyagraha Memorial” (NSSM) at Dandi in Gujarat which is to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 30.
A project of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the NSSM was announced by then Prime Minister in 2005 during the 75th anniversary of the Dandi Salt March movement. The memorial is a tribute to the 80 marchers who accompanied Mahatma Gandhi from Sabarmati to Dandi in 1930.
“IIT-Bombay’s association with the NSSM began because of IIT Bombay’s pioneering research in renewable energy. The Memorial is being powered by solar energy and is a Zero Energy project in keeping with the Gandhian ideal of sustainability,” an IIT-Bombay spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, Prof. Juser Vasi initiated IIT Bombay’s contribution towards the solar energy needs of the project and Prof. Kirti Trivedi conceptualized the design and ably guided the art aspects of the NSSM. Several other members of the faculty, students and staff at IIT Bombay made key contributions in this collaborative effort.
The design of the NSSM has art and technological aspects include the statues of 81 marchers, 24 narrative murals, main statue of Gandhiji, an artificial lake, solar trees and a salt-making activity for visitors.
The sculptures of 80 full-size Dandi Marchers’ were created through the voluntary combined efforts of the creative community — both national and international. It included 48 sculptors, selected through a world-wide call for participation who worked together during the workshops at IIT Bombay under the guidance of IDC and experienced resource persons.
A 15-feet high bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was created by eminent sculptor Mr. Sadashiv Sathe. The statue of the Mahatma intends to project the forceful forward march of a great leader leading the people towards freedom from exploitation and injustice.