TAMIL NADU UNVEILS INDIA’S FIRST GLASS SEA BRIDGE

PRELIMS BITS

Tamil Nadu has inaugurated India’s first glass sea bridge, connecting the iconic Tiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari. This significant development coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Tiruvalluvar Statue, a symbol of Tamil pride and cultural heritage.

Inauguration Highlights

• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the bridge during the silver jubilee celebrations of the Tiruvalluvar Statue.
• The bridge enhances accessibility to these landmarks, providing uninterrupted connectivity over the sea.

Bridge Specifications

• Length: 77 meters; Width: 10 meters.
• Cost: ₹37 crore.
• Features a glass floor, allowing visitors to enjoy breathtaking views of the sea.
• Designed to address transportation challenges caused by rough seas and low tides.

Key Facts About Tiruvalluvar Statue

• Unveiled: January 1, 2000.
• Height: 133 feet, symbolizing the 133 chapters of the Tirukkural.
• Philosophy: Embodies the Tirukkural’s message of equality—“Pirapokkum ella uyirkkum” (Everyone is equal at birth).
• Designer: Renowned sculptor V. Ganapathi Sthapathi.
• Renamed: Statue of Wisdom.
• Resilience: Survived natural calamities, including the 2004 tsunami.

Key Facts About Vivekananda Rock Memorial

• Location: On a rock 500 meters off the Kanyakumari coast, where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean meet.
• Built: 1970, honoring Swami Vivekananda, who meditated and attained enlightenment here.
• Structures:
  • Vivekananda Mandapam: A hall dedicated to Swami Vivekananda.
  • Shripada Mandapam: Enshrines the footprint of Devi Kanyakumari.
  • Dhyana Mandapam: Meditation Hall.

Cultural Significance

• Tirukkural: A revered Tamil text with 1,330 couplets on ethics, politics, and love.
• Statue of Wisdom: Renaming reflects its embodiment of Tamil heritage and universal wisdom.