After the passage of over six months when it fell to nature’s fury, the statue of Sir Kasturchand Daga, the great philanthropist and a visionary will stand tall again on Thursday, February 25 this time in new form. The statue is being re-installed in the COVID 19 pandemic. It was unveiled first time in 1922 when there was Spanish flu pandemic around. It was sheer co-incidence. In 1922 the statue was unveiled by non-Daga family member. It did not go well with the family.

 

 

 

The mistake is being rectified on February 25, when the function of unveiling of new statue will be dominated by Daga family. Govind Daga, noted businessman, former President of Vidarbha Industries Association and great grandson of Sir Kasturchand Daga admitted, “It is in ‘Footloose’ column when Vijay Phanshikar, The Hitavada Editor wrote about the plight of statue, prompted me to do something. I then started following up the issue. I met Collector, Divisional Commissioner, every single authority to get the new statue prepared and installed. Sir Kasturchand Daga was my great grandfather is one thing. But his contribution to the society is immense. He brought pressing and geaning mills, several institutions, Daga Hospital and what not. If it takes several months to re-install his statue then it should be termed as we fail to pay him back. We all members of Daga family came together and decided to do something regarding this issue.”

 

 This is the picture of the unveiling of statue of Sir Kasturchand Daga in 1922. It was done at the hands of

 

The old statue was made of Italian marble and was made by the classic artisans of yesteryears. According to Daga finding those type of quality artisans and the material was a bit difficult. “Considering the experience of sheer apathy by administration as it took long time for the re-installation of the statue, I decided, the old statue should not be left to its fate. I was afraid that the administration may throw the pieces of the statue in the dustbin and would be offended. I took that broken pieces and send those to Jaipur. The artisan there mended the statue whom we gave the work of new statue too which he created,” elaborated Govind Daga.

 

The sculptor prepared the statue. “Statue was there but without life. The statue must have some expressions. In the eyes of old statue of Sir Daga had intense expressions as if he was talking to the one who is watching him. It was difficult for me to look after the development in the preparation of statue. “I requested my sister Suman Rathi who stays in Jaipur to monitor the development. She and her daughter Aditi both have contributed immensely,” pointed out Daga. Suman Rathi and Aditi both paid almost 15 to 20 visits in last two months to the sculptor. “Aditi has that sense for drawing. So we kept visiting, watching the development of statue, suggesting the sculptor the changes. We did not have that feel, though the statue was ready physically. We also sent the photographs to Nagpur where Govind Daga watched them and suggested changes. Finally, about five days ago, we all unanimously announced our satisfaction and statue got the nod,” explained Suman Rathi. Suman Rathi and Aditi Rathi passionately did it.

 

The statue was brought today morning. While narrating this at their lush green lawn at their Civil Lines residence, Govind Daga and Suman Rathi were bubbling with exhilaration. The statue is ready to witness new things with new look. The old one remained the witness to several historic events, public speeches. No Prime Minister of India is there who did not deliver speech at this historic Kasturchand Park ground. It was ‘The Hitavada’ report whose cognizance was taken by Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, whose judges visited Kasturchand Park ground for its shabby condition. Unfortunately whatever they asked administration to do, remained on the paper. In fact had Daga family not taken the initiative the statue too would not have seen the light of the day. Daga family paid respect to its great grand old man by initiating this step. At least now it is expected from the authorities that they would ensure the statue’s security.