Kamal Ghorui
Mapusa: A deadlock over the installation of statues at Chopdem circle in Mandrem constituency has been resolved, with Mandrem MLA Jeet Arolkar announcing that statues of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Lord Parashuram will be installed.Two local groups had raised separate demands, one seeking a statue of Lord Parashuram and the other of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.Arolkar said the Ambedkar statue will be installed on Tuesday, on Ambedkar Jayanti. The announcement is being seen as a victory for social organisations that had protested the removal of the Ambedkar statue by the administration before 2022.A statue of Lord Parashuram will be erected near the Chopdem bridge on April 19, coinciding with Parashuram Jayanti. “We respect the sentiments of all communities,” he said.The MLA added that a comprehensive beautification project is planned from Chopdem circle to the Chopdem–Siolim bridge, featuring a conceptual landscape showcasing Goan culture, traditional businesses, and heritage, transforming the area into a cultural landmark.
