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'Lucknow can't be turned into city of statues'
The rapid pace at which the pillars and pilasters are taking shape is impressive, leading some to question why UP's chief minister -- or India's ministers in general -- cannot take similar control over infrastructure -- roads, power, water, schools, hospitals -- that the developing economy is in critical need of. "I do not say that her monuments and statues do not have aesthetic appeal," says Lucknow mayor Dinesh Sharma somewhat uncertainly, "but Lucknow cannot be turned into a city of statues," especially when it has "few amenities for its people". Yet, Mayawati's many statues both across Lucknow and in Noida are currently more like shrouds, positioned in alcoves and on pedestals but completed swathed in layers of plastic sheets, no doubt to be unveiled with due pomp and ceremony at some date in the future when her fantasy projects are complete. With the looming threat of tax increases, the mayor adds, "I do not think it is prudent on the part of anyone to spend such colossal amounts on such activities when you cannot provide proper civic amenities. It shows that the priorities of the UP government are not right." Former Geological Survey of India director and environmental activist V K Joshi complains, "We need green parks, not parks made of concrete and sandstone." But who will tell Mayawati that? "It is sad that even the environmentalists are mum for fear of reprisal," says Lucknow MP Lalji Tandon.
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Image: Statues of Ambedkar and his wife Ramabai, which face Maya's statue at the Samajik Parivartan Sthal
Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani
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