BU offers land for Bhuvaneshwari statue

 Sources said BU Vice-Chancellor N Prabhu Dev was very keen on getting the proposed statue installed in the varsity premises. The University wanted to set up a centre for learning and research in Kannada if the government accepted the proposal. A decision to this effect was taken at the Syndicate meeting on Thursday and it would be conveyed to the Kannada and Culture department.

According to sources, some of the Syndicate members initially opposed the proposal. They contended that the varsity should not turn into a destination for religious tourism. However, the V-C and other members convinced them saying that the statue would help promote the University at the international level.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had announced a grant of Rs 25 crore for the installation of the statue. Minister R Ashoka had said the statue may come up at the Freedom Park, Gandhinagar. Official sources also said the statue may come up in the Race Course, if the government took control of the Turf Club land.