Rajiv Gandhi Memorial

Background

Former prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, India on 21 May 1991. At least 14 others, in addition to Rajiv and the assassin, were killed. It was carried out by the Sri Lankan Tamil separatist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a retaliation to the involvement of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in the Sri Lankan civil war.

Memorial

A memorial was planned by the Government of India at the site where Rajiv was assassinated. The Government of Tamil Nadu allocated 12.19 acre of land for the memorial in June 1994. It was built at a cost of . It was designed by K T Ravindran, and was built by the Central Public Works Department. It was opened on 10 October 2003 by then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam, in the presence of Rajiv's widow Sonia Gandhi.

Design

At the spot where Rajiv died, a square marble plinth measuring 1.03 m2 stands on a raised platform. The Jaisalmer marble is inlaid with a portrait of Rajiv, and embedded in a pink stone block. The platform is surrounded by seven 15 m high granite pillars each measuring 1.2 m in diameter. The pillars are mounted by various capital figures made of bronze, which weigh about 1.5 tonnes. The seven pillars were designed to represent the seven concepts in Hinduism namely, dharma, satya, nyaya, vigyan, tyaga, shanti, and samriddhi. They also represent the seven sacred rivers – Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri. Various quotations of Rajiv are carved at the base of each pillar.

Towards the south of the memorial is a granite stone wall measuring 45 m in length and 4.8 m in height. The wall consists of bas relief work depicting the transformation of Indian civilization. The wall consists of Rajiv's words, "I am young and I too have a dream...". The path taken by Rajiv before the accident is marked by pink granite stones, leading up to the central plinth. The complex is surrounded by lawns, and various lighting.

Gallery

Image:Rajiv_Gandhi_Memorial_entrance.jpg|Entrance Image:Rajiv_Gandhi_Memorial_art.jpg|A stone sculpture at the memorial Image:Rajiv Gandhi Memorial path.jpg|"The path of Light" traces Rajiv Gandhi's final steps with the Indian flag in the background Image:Rajiv Gandhi Memorial bombsite.jpg|A stone mural marks the spot of his death Image:Rajiv_Gandhi_Memorial_plaque.jpg|A stone plaque with the history of events

References

References

1. "Assassination in India; Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated in bombing at campaign stop; India puts off rest of voting". [[New York Times]].
2. (21 May 1991). "1991: Bomb kills India's former leader Rajiv Gandhi". [[BBC News]].
3. Gopal, Neena. (2016). "The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi". Penguin UK.
4. (5 February 2022). "Lady With The Poison Flowers". [[Outlook (Indian magazine).
5. (10 May 2016). "Where Rajiv Gandhi died: An impressive memorial, but a crumbling party". [[The Economic Times]].
6. (9 October 2003). "President to dedicate Rajiv Gandhi memorial". [[Press Information Bureau]].
7. (7 November 2003). "Remembering Rajiv Gandhi". [[Frontline (magazine).
8. (11 October 2003). "Rajiv Gandhi Memorial dedicated to nation". [[The Hindu]].