Bangalore: The Archbishop of Bangalore, Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, will unveil and bless a 35-feet tall statue ‘Risen Christ’ at Mount Olive, Gesthamane Garden at Hennur Bande in Bangalore on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
It was a dream of parishioner late SP Francis to have a statue of Jesus installed at the hillock. The project was conceptualised way back in 2012 under the trust named ‘SP Francis Kindness Trust’.
The statue weighing 20 tonnes is made of reinforced plastic, fibre and cement concrete. Artisans from Kolkata sculpted it and was built at a cost of Rs 65 lakhs and took a year’s time to complete.
“This is a reflection on the need that forgiveness and gratitude should become part of one’s life,” added industrialist Benjamin Francis, who had the statue installed atop a family-owned community hall.
The trust focusses on social service related projects that help and serve the humanity. One of the activities of the trust is to serve the young and the old, especially children with skill development programmes, music, art and culture.
The trust also helps women by introducing them to vocational training programmes and also teaches them communication skills using technology. There are also prayer and meditation sessions to motivate them spiritually besides extending support to the under privileged and disabled by conducting health camps and counselling sessions.
People irrespective of caste, community, religious and language are being encouraged to benefit from these initiatives.
Other dignitaries such as KJ George, minister for industries; Byrathi Basvaraj, MLA; Byrathi Suresh, MLA; KC Ramamurthy, MP; and DH Shankarmurthy, former speaker of Legislative Council, local corporators and others have been invited to attend the unveiling function.