Rs 3000 cr could have changed the face of research, education, and agriculture in India
Well, it is twice the size of the Statue of Liberty. India’s new Statue of Unity- 600-ft tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has now in fact given India the bragging rights to the world’s tallest statue. And India paid close to Rs 2990 crores for this towering pride.
But the question is what purpose does it serve? Isn’t it a sheer waste of money in a country, where even after 72 years of independence, farmers commit suicide due to debt?
Let’s take a look at what could have been achieved otherwise with this whopping amount of Rs 3k crores if it hadn’t been spent in making this ostentatious Statue of Unity?
For example, it could have changed the face of agriculture in our country and for an agriculture-based country like India, nothing could have been any better. It could have irrigated about 40,192 hectares of land, cover the expense of 162 small irrigation projects, and the cost of constructing 425 small dams. Suicides of farmers due to debt could have been avoided too to a considerable extent.
It could have made a greater impact on higher education as well. Two new IIT campuses could also be set up. Setting up of an IIT campus costs Rs 1167cr approximately.
Two AIIMS campuses could also be set up, as setting up an AIIMS campus also costs around Rs 1103 cr.
Five new permanent IIM campuses also could have been built with the amount.
Five new 75-megawatt solar power plants costing Rs 528 cr each could have been built easily as well.
The same could have changed the face of space research in our country as well. Six Mars missions could have been completed with this money. ISRO could have done 3 Chandrayaan (missions to the moon) too. One mission to Mars and one mission to the moon cost Rs 450cr and Rs 800cr respectively.
Isn’t it shame that instead of all, Rs 2990 cr is spent on copper, zinc, lead, and tin to erect a statue of pride.