By IANS
Patna : Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam will unveil here Feb 18 the larger-than-life-size bronze statue of his father Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, who originally hailed from Bihar and was PM of the island nation 1961-82.
The 600 kg statue has already been installed in the state capital. Noida-based sculptor Anil Kumar Suthar created the nine-foot statue at a cost of Rs.1.4 million.
Dozens of labourers are busy day and night for over two weeks now near the historic Gandhi Maidan in the heart of Patna, where the statue was installed, to beautify the site before the unveiling ceremony.
Ramgoolam, who belonged to Harigaon village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district, was the first prime minister of Mauritius and is considered the father of the nation as he led his country to independence from Britain.
Nondescript Harigaon became famous after being identified as the late Ramgoolam’s ancestral village by the Mauritius government. It is now set for a facelift.
The Mauritius PM along with his family members will visit Harigaon Feb 19. During his visit to the village, he will lay the foundation stones of various projects there.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and top officials went to the village last month and announced a spate of measures including construction of roads, a hospital, a school and other basic facilities.