Tashi Delek Friends,
Mumbai Pune Bypass Road is a crowded and ever speeding outlet for the busy cutting edge population of Pune. Adding to the mass the long distance travellers, and the road trip lovers, cruise through the by lanes. Amid the chaos of this modern and impatient world, a tall embodiment of peace stands gracefully overseeing the mad rush, a 50 foot tall Buddha statue.
The first time I set eyes on this massive structure was during a trip to Khadakwasla Dam. It had instantly caught my attention as well as my imagination. What interested me the most was the presence of the statue of B.R.Ambedkar! [Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956), popularly known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Modern Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discrimination of Dalits, women and labour. He was Independent India’s first law minister and the principal architect of the Constitution of India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._R._Ambedkar).] While the white statue of Dr.Ambedkar stands in stark contrast to the colour of the mountainous terrain, the bronze-gold coloured unfinished statue of Buddha almost gels in with the background.
The ‘interest’ converted into ‘inquisitiveness’ took us (me and my husband-Gaurav) to the same spot again and again. Each time we ventured close enough to get pictures but never bothered to go and see it up close. It was however when I decided to write something in the lines of ‘a silent conversation of Buddha and Ambedkar’ that I realized that, I needed better pictures. So, armed with a camera Gaurav went to click pictures. The curious photographer was however being keenly observed by some people….
Gaurav was busy finding better angles for taking a click when someone tapped on his shoulders. In a grim voice the stranger asked, “Are you a reporter?” Gaurav replied that he wasn’t a reporter and was just here to take some pictures as this had caught his interest. That explanation convinced the stranger and he unfolded the real story behind the sculpting of the statue. Apparently the Buddha statue was being build due the personal interest of the person who owned that particular piece of land. He had obtained all the necessary permissions from the government and self-funded the project so far, but due to monetary constraints the sculpting has been going on for the past four years, and hence the unfinished structure. The statue is made of 5 metals: Gold, Silver, Copper, Brass & Bronze. The lack of funds makes the completion of this statue a distant truth.
Well, well! Buddha must have been ignored, but someone did manage to clean up Dr.Ambedkar’s statue and garlanded him with fresh flowers (the ‘Mahaparinirvan din’ effect I guess…). It’s funny, the workings of time. The one who led a movement in the name of Buddha is remembered and celebrated but the one who gave these ideas to the world i.e. Buddha himself, has been forgotten along with his ideologies.
This brings me to my thought ‘a silent conversation of Buddha and Ambedkar’. [The very fact that an epitome of peace who would have enjoyed being ‘Far from the madding crowd’, now sits at the very centre overseeing the crowd is ironical in itself.] ‘‘Silent conversation’, an oxymoron isn’t it? But just imagine what Buddha and Ambedkar would discuss when they witness this constant rushing, the loud noises, the unfriendliness and rashness… For Buddha who preached “Radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity”, the way this world has turned out to be must seem unnerving. Dr.Ambedkar would be heartbroken to see how futile his efforts have been. The provision he had created to promote equality has now become the escape clause to widen the divide.
Each time I pass by this way, my eyes lookout for the serene face of Buddha. Though unfinished the face still sends out a very strange sense of calm. I wonder how many among the hundreds that pass by the same way feel the same. I hope at least a few do feel relaxed and calmed on seeing the statue. It’s a long way for the Buddha statue to be completed. A meeting is to be conducted at the foot of the statue on 25th January 2015, evening 6pm-8pm (for fundraising I guess!). Those who are interested are welcome to attend (on the behalf of the organisers). For me it’s a cause that will lead to the completion of an unfinished statue, which will definitely become a landmark in future. A landmark that might help in calming mankind that is always in a hurry.
As Buddha said “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” To the generation that’s busy running towards the future, I say “take some time out, and enjoy the little things in life, for those moments you shall treasure in the future”.
With a peaceful mind and soul this is Satrangee Parachute floating calmly in my own bay.