Irish teacher, author, social activist, school founder and disciple of Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita’s bronze statue will be reportedly installed in Wimbledon by summer.
Five years ago, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unveiled a heritage blue plaque at Sister Nivedita’s former Wimbledon home, which is in close proximity to Swami Vivekananda’s house at 35 Woodside.
London-based science teacher of Catholic Boys School, Sarada Basu took the initiative to apply for the heritage plaque. She spoke to the newsweekly about Sister Nivedita’s bronze statue.
Sarada Basu said, “We Sister Nivedita Celebrations UK applied for the permission of a full size bronze statue of a sister Nivedita three years ago to the Merton council for Cannizzaro park location. However, it got outrightly dismissed as many people didn’t know who she was. Sister Nivedita had made so many contributions to Indian independence and women's education was almost unknown to these people even after the English Heritage blue plaque in 2017.
“A conservative councillor Mr Najeeb Latif took it forward and fought for us and after a very long question and answer session they had to offer an alternative location which is even better than Cannizzaro park as it’s next to a famous 11-18 girls school called Ricards Lodge school.
“The head mistress is very supportive and became fascinated to know about Sister Nivedita. The location is at Leopold Road and it’s just next to the school. Wimbledon being the world Tennis hub will now be known as Sister Nivedita and Swami Vivekananda Tirtha too.”
A report published in The Times of India suggests that the funding for this statue may come from the West Bengal Chief Minister. However, there is no confirmation, yet.| ReplyForward |