Mayawati inaugurates Rs 685 crore park

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati inaugurates the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal - and several other projects in Noida memorial park today. The park has bronze statues of B R Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and Mayawati herself.

  • At Rs. 685 crore, it is an expensive dream. But Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has pulled out all stops to ensure that it becomes a grand reality and she flew in a helicopter to inaugurate the Rashtriya Dalit Smarak in Noida at a stone's throw from Delhi, the seat of power.
    At Rs. 685 crore, it is an expensive dream. But Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has pulled out all stops to ensure that it becomes a grand reality and she flew in a helicopter to inaugurate the Rashtriya Dalit Smarak in Noida at a stone's throw from Delhi, the seat of power.
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  • A helicopter, a convoy of big cars, a red carpet and a line of officials in their Sunday best were there to greet their Chief Minister.
    A helicopter, a convoy of big cars, a red carpet and a line of officials in their Sunday best were there to greet their Chief Minister.
  • A smile on the face, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister walked up to cut a red ribbon. Then, a group of Buddhist monks offered prayers.
    A smile on the face, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister walked up to cut a red ribbon. Then, a group of Buddhist monks offered prayers.
  • As Mayawati walked through the grand memorial looking it over in pride, her detracters lashed out. Congress spokeswoman Renuka Chaudhury said, "Her priorities are misplaced...With Mayawati it always about me, myself and I."
    As Mayawati walked through the grand memorial looking it over in pride, her detracters lashed out. Congress spokeswoman Renuka Chaudhury said, "Her priorities are misplaced...With Mayawati it always about me, myself and I."
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  • The UP Chief Minister didn't seem to much care about the criticism as she took to the podium and talked about her government's achievement on bringing about social equity.
    The UP Chief Minister didn't seem to much care about the criticism as she took to the podium and talked about her government's achievement on bringing about social equity.
  • The memorial is meant to honour Dalit icons and has over two dozen huge statues of Mayawati, her mentor Kanshi Ram and Dr BR Ambedkar, among others.
    The memorial is meant to honour Dalit icons and has over two dozen huge statues of Mayawati, her mentor Kanshi Ram and Dr BR Ambedkar, among others.
  • To make the event a smooth affair, 2,500 policemen have been stationed.
    To make the event a smooth affair, 2,500 policemen have been stationed.
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  • When work first began on Mayawati's dream memorial in 2008, Noida residents were upset as they were denied access to the park. Then, over 6000 trees were cut.
    When work first began on Mayawati's dream memorial in 2008, Noida residents were upset as they were denied access to the park. Then, over 6000 trees were cut.
  • Angry residents moved the Supreme Court. An initial enquiry ordered by the Environment Ministry found several environmental violations. And the fact that the memorial was coming up close to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary further complicated matters.
    Angry residents moved the Supreme Court. An initial enquiry ordered by the Environment Ministry found several environmental violations. And the fact that the memorial was coming up close to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary further complicated matters.
  • But in December last year, the Supreme Court cleared the project with a rider - not more than 25 percent of the total 84 acres could be paved, the rest would have to be planted with trees.
    But in December last year, the Supreme Court cleared the project with a rider - not more than 25 percent of the total 84 acres could be paved, the rest would have to be planted with trees.
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  • Several other court cases have challenged Mayawati's decision to use taxpayers' money to fund her mega memorials. Many of these remain unsettled.
    Several other court cases have challenged Mayawati's decision to use taxpayers' money to fund her mega memorials. Many of these remain unsettled.
  • Opposition parties allege she is spending crores of rupees of public money for installing statues of her family members. "After statues of Dalit icons... Mayawati is out to install statues of her parents," Congress spokesman Subodh Srivastava said.
    Opposition parties allege she is spending crores of rupees of public money for installing statues of her family members. "After statues of Dalit icons... Mayawati is out to install statues of her parents," Congress spokesman Subodh Srivastava said.
  • Commuters in Noida and Greater Noida may have a harrowing time with traffic being diverted at several places - Film City crossing, Mahamaya flyover and other sectors of Noida - between 2 pm and 8 pm.
    Commuters in Noida and Greater Noida may have a harrowing time with traffic being diverted at several places - Film City crossing, Mahamaya flyover and other sectors of Noida - between 2 pm and 8 pm.
  • But such criticism is unlikely to deter the Chief Minister or her supporters, as they thronged to hear her today (October 14, 2011).
    But such criticism is unlikely to deter the Chief Minister or her supporters, as they thronged to hear her today (October 14, 2011).
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